Middle East & North Africa

  
People carry umbrellas in Tehran, Iran, on February 11, 2019. On May 1, two journalists were arrested while covering Labor Day demonstrations in Tehran. (Vahid Ahmadi/Tasnim News Agency via Reuters)

Iran jailing 2 journalists since May Day demonstration

Washington, D.C., May 6, 2019 — Iranian authorities should immediately release Kayvan Samimi, editor-in-chief of Iran-e-Farda magazine, and Marzieh Amiri, economics reporter at Tehran-based newspaper Shargh Daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech during the ceremony of the National Army Day parade in Tehran, Iran April 18, 2019. Iran arrested editor Mohammad Reza Nassab Abdollahi on April 21. (Tasnim News Agency via Reuters)

Iran arrests editor Abdollahi, fails to disclose charge or his location

Washington, D.C., May 3, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Iranian authorities to release Mohammad Reza Nassab Abdollahi, editor-in-chief of Iranian news websites Anar Press and Aban Press.

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Demonstrators run as Israeli troops fire tear gas canisters in the southern Gaza Strip on April 19, 2019. At least four Palestinian journalists were injured by Israeli troops during the protests. (Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)

Israeli forces injure four Palestinian journalists covering Gaza protests

On April 19, 2019, at least four Palestinian journalists covering protests in the Gaza Strip were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas canisters fired by Israeli soldiers, according to local press freedom organizations and social media posts by the journalists and their colleagues.

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People are seen at the General Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 24, 2018. Jordanian journalist Abdulrahman Farhana was detained by Saudi authorities in February. (Reuters/Faisal Al Nasser)

Jordanian journalist Abdulrahman Farhana detained by Saudi authorities

New York, April 25, 2019 — Saudi authorities should immediately release Jordanian journalist Abdulrahman Farhana as well as the other journalists swept up in their campaign against dissent, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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The Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh is seen on October 16, 2018. Saudi Arabia recently arrested another three bloggers amid a larger crackdown. (Reuters/Leah Millis)

Saudi Arabia detains 3 more bloggers

New York, April 18, 2019 — Saudi authorities must immediately stop persecuting journalists and release those swept up in their recent detention campaign, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A man reads the Akhbar Al Khaleej newspaper in Manama, Bahrain, on June 22, 2009. A columnist at the paper has recently disappeared and is believed to be in government custody. (AFP/Adam Jan)

Bahraini journalist Ibrahim al-Sheikh believed to be detained on false news charges

New York, April 17, 2019 — Bahraini authorities must immediately clarify whether they are detaining Akhbar al-Khaleej columnist Ibrahim al-Sheikh and, if so, release him immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalists injured while covering protests in northwestern Iraq

Two journalists covering demonstrations in northwestern Iraq suffered injuries on March 22, 2019, when they were struck by a vehicle carrying the provincial governor, according to an account by one of the journalists, and local press freedom groups.

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Aymeric Vincenot, AFP's Algiers bureau chief, sits at his office on March 1, 2019. Vincenot was recently expelled from Algiers after authorities declined to renew his press permit. (AFP)

Algeria expels AFP bureau chief Aymeric Vincenot after accreditation expires

New York, April 16, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the expulsion of Aymeric Vincenot, the Agence France-Presse bureau chief in Algiers, and called on the Algerian government to facilitate press accreditation for foreign journalists.

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Palestinian protesters run for cover as Israeli forces fire tear gas canisters east of Gaza City on March 30, 2019. At least 10 journalists have been hurt by Israeli forces since late March. (AFP/Mahmud Hams)

At least 10 Palestinian journalists injured by Israeli soldiers while covering Gaza protests since late March

At least 10 Palestinian journalists were injured by gunfire, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters fired by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip from March 22 to April 5, 2019, according to the journalists, news reports, and local press freedom groups.

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A cameraman gets into position as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 16, 2018. At least four journalists were recently arrested in Saudi Arabia, and their whereabouts are unknown. (AP/Leah Millis)

At least four more journalists arrested in Saudi crackdown

New York, April 8, 2019 — Saudi Arabian authorities must immediately release journalists Thumar al-Marzouqi, Bader al-Ibrahim, Mohammed al-Sadiq, and Abdullah al-Duhailan and stop their brazen campaign against the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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