Middle East & North Africa

  
Protesters chant slogans during anti-government demonstrations in Algiers, on October 18, 2019. Police have arrested at least five journalists in recent weeks. (AFP/Ryad Kramdi)

Algeria arrests fifth journalist amid anti-government protests

Washington, D.C., October 23, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Algerian authorities to release Bendjama Mustapha, editor-in-chief of Le Provincial, and end the harassment of journalists covering anti-government protests.

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An Iraqi federal police officer is seen in Baghdad on October 7, 2019. Iraqi blogger Shojaa Fares al-Khafaji was recently detained by unidentified men. (Reuters/Wissm al-Okili)

Unidentified gunmen detain Iraqi blogger Shojaa al-Khafaji

Beirut, October 17, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Iraqi authorities to disclose whether they have custody of Iraqi blogger Shojaa Fares al-Khafaji and if not, to immediately open an investigation after unidentified armed men took him from his home.

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Algerian demonstrators chant and wave their country's national flag as they take part in an anti-government protest in the capital Algiers on October 15, 2019. Authorities have detained at least three more journalists in recent days. (AFP)

Algeria detains three journalists who covered protests, alleged corruption

Washington, D.C., October 17, 2019–Algerian authorities should immediately release journalists Said Boudour, Abdelmoundji Kheladi, and Adel Azeb Chikh from pretrial detention and drop all charges against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Downtown Tehran, Iran, is seen on July 10, 2019. Iranian authorities recently arrested exiled journalist Roohollah Zam. (WANA/Nazanin Tabatabaee via Reuters)

Iranian journalist in exile arrested, gives televised confession in Iran

On October 14, 2019, intelligence agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested journalist and activist Roohollah Zam, manager of Amad News, a popular anti-government news channel on the messaging app Telegram, according to a statement by the guard corps that was broadcast on state media.

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An explosion is seen over the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain on October 12, 2019. Turkish airstrikes near Ras al-Ain recently killed two journalists. (Reuters/Stoyan Nenov)

Second Syrian Kurdish journalist dies of wounds sustained in Turkish air strike

Beirut, October 15, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today strongly condemned the Turkish air strike on a civilian convoy, as reports emerged that a second journalist died yesterday as a result of the attack.

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A police van is seen in Alexandria, Egypt, on September 27, 2019. Security forces recently arrested and allegedly tortured journalist Esraa Abdel Fattah. (Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Egyptian journalist Esraa Abdel Fattah arrested on false news charges, allegedly tortured

Washington, D.C., October 15, 2019 — Egyptian authorities must immediately release imprisoned journalist Esraa Abdel Fattah, drop all charges against her, and investigate allegations that she was physically abused in state custody, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Smoke is seen billowing from the sites of air strikes in Ras al-Ayn, Syria, on October 13, 2019. Syrian Kurdish journalist Saad Ahmed was killed in an airstrike in the town. (AP/Emrah Gurel)

Syrian Kurdish journalist killed in Turkish airstrike on civilian convoy

Beirut, October 13, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the Turkish air strike on a civilian convoy that killed journalist Saad Ahmed and injured at least four other reporters.

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Iraqi police are seen in Maysan province, south of Baghdad, Iraq, on October 4, 2019. Four broadcasters in Baghdad were recently raided by unidentified assailants. (Reuters/Essam al-Sudani)

Unidentified assailants raid 4 broadcasters in Baghdad, assault staffers

Beirut, October 7, 2019 — Iraqi authorities should immediately investigate the recent attacks against four broadcasters in Baghdad and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Members of Palestinian Hamas security forces are seen in the Gaza Strip on March 13, 2018. Security forces recently arrested journalist Hani al-Agha. (Reuters/Mohammed Salem)

Palestinian journalist Hani al-Agha detained by Hamas forces in Gaza since September 25

Beirut, October 4, 2019 — Hamas security forces should immediately release journalist Hani al-Agha and drop any charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Security forces and protesters are seen in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 2, 2019. Security forces have harassed reporters covering the protests, and authorities recently cut internet access to much of the country. (Reuters/Khalid al-Mousily)

Iraqi authorities obstruct journalists, cut internet access amid protests

Beirut, October 4, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned restrictions on news coverage of protests in Iraq and called on authorities to unblock news and social media websites throughout the country and let the press operate freely.

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