Two journalists held for defaming the Prophet Muhammad
New York, November 17, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the arrest of two independent journalists in Azerbaijan over an article that authorities claim insulted the Prophet Muhammad. Samir Sadagatoglu, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Senet, and reporter Rafiq Tagi, were detained after publishing an article on November 1 titled “Europe and Us.” Tagi, the…
Vietnam: APEC leaders must press for release of journalist Nguyen Vu Binh
New York, November 16, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Asia Pacific leaders ahead of their meeting in Hanoi to encourage Vietnam to release its last remaining jailed journalist. Freelancer Nguyen Vu Binh is serving a seven-year sentence on espionage charges for criticizing a border agreement between Vietnam and China. Binh, who was…
At International Olympic Committee headquarters, CPJ raises concerns about press freedom in China
Lausanne, Switzerland, November 15, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the International Olympic Committee today to address the erosion of press freedom in China during the run-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing in August 2008. A CPJ delegation voiced its concerns that Chinese journalists, in particular, will bear the brunt of official retribution…
Editor of a provincial paper found dead
New York, November 13, 2006—Misael Tamayo Hernández, editor and owner of the local daily El Despertar de la Costa in the city of Zihuatanejo, was found dead Friday morning in a motel in southern Guerrero state. The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating whether Tamayo’s death is related to his work. Local police commander Mario…
Iraqi TV journalist gunned down in Mosul
New York, November 13, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the brutal murder of an Iraqi journalist in Mosul today. Unidentified gunmen shot Muhammad al-Ban, 58, a reporter and cameraman for the privately owned Al-Sharqiya TV, as he was leaving his home in Mosul’s al-Nour neighborhood at around 8 a.m., according to CPJ sources.
Supreme Court overturns acquittal in Klebnikov murder
New York, November 9, 2006 — The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the decision today by Russia’s Supreme Court to overturn the acquittal of two suspects in the assassination of Forbes Russia editor Paul Klebnikov and order a retrial. The ruling comes six months after a jury at Moscow City Court acquitted Kazbek Dukuzov and…
Independent journalist sentenced to two years’ house arrest
New York, November 8, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the sentence of two years’ house arrest handed down by a Cuban court to a journalist who reported on a dengue fever outbreak that the authorities censored. Journalist Guillermo Espinosa Rodríguez of the independent agency Agencia de Prensa Libre Oriental (APLO) was convicted by a…
Two Iraqi channels ordered closed in aftermath of Saddam verdict
New York, November 6, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the Iraq Interior Ministry’s decision on Sunday to close two Sunni-owned satellite channels indefinitely. Security forces raided Al-Zawraa TV in Baghdad and Saleheddin TV in Tikrit on grounds they were inciting violence in the hours after former leader Saddam Hussein was sentenced to…
Three weeks after abduction, photographer released in Afghanistan
New York, November 3, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Italian freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello three weeks after he was taken captive by gunmen in southern Afghanistan. The Italian government confirmed to news agencies Torsello’s release, which was first reported by PeaceReporter, a Web site that works closely with aid agencies in…
In China, Zhao Yan denied an open appeal hearing
New York, November 3, 2006—Court officials will not grant an open hearing in an appeal filed by New York Times researcher Zhao Yan, who is jailed on fraud charges, defense lawyer Guan Anping told CPJ. Guan said that the decision defied clear regulations allowing for open proceedings in criminal cases that do not involve state…