Iran: CPJ calls for humanitarian release as Ramadan ends
New York, September 10, 2009—As the end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches, Maziar Bahari, a Canadian-Iranian national, continues to be held in an Iranian jail under deplorable conditions. The Newsweek correspondent has been detained for 80 days since he was arrested on June 21 as part of a post-election crackdown. The Committee to…
Radio Horyaal director, jailed in Somaliland, should be freed
New York, September 9, 2009—Police should release Mohamed Osman, director of Radio Horyaal, who has been held without charge since his arrest on Saturday outside parliament in Hargeisa, capital of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Online journalist beaten in southern Siberia
New York, September 9, 2009—Regional authorities must launch a thorough probe into a brazen attack on Mikhail Afanasyev, editor of the online magazine Novy Fokus, and examine whether his journalism was the motive, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
In Tunisia, court orders transfer of syndicate board
New York, September 8, 2009—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Tunisian court’s decision to recognize a pro-government board of the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (NSTJ). Police today physically evicted members of the previous independent board from the syndicate’s offices, according to local journalists.
Journalists interrogated over article on Moroccan king
New York, September 4, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Moroccan authorities to end an investigation of two journalists who have already been interrogated for 40 hours over an article about the health of the king. Authorities have repeatedly pressed them to reveal their sources, according to their lawyer.
Gabonese media under attack since election
New York, September 3, 2009–Five journalists and a TV station covering Gabon’s disputed presidential election, which has already been marred by media censorship, have been attacked since Wednesday, according to local journalists and news reports. Official results announced today declared Ali Ben Bongo–son of Omar Bongo, the late 41-year ruler of the oil-rich, equatorial nation–the…
Uzbek appeals court should overturn harsh sentence
New York, September 3, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Samarkand Regional Court in central Uzbekistan to overturn on appeal a 12 and a half year jail sentence given to independent journalist Dilmurod Saiid. His appeal is scheduled for review September 8.