Photographer Abul Kalam detained in Bangladesh after documenting refugee relocation
New York, January 5, 2021 – Bangladeshi authorities should immediately release photographer Abul Kalam and allow the press to freely cover refugee issues in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 28, authorities at the Kutupalong Registered Camp, a refugee camp in the southeastern city of Cox’s Bazar, detained Kalam after…
Turkish police arrest Mezopotamya News Agency journalist Mehmet Aslan
Istanbul, January 5, 2021 – Turkish authorities should immediately release journalist Mehmet Aslan and cease harassing staffers of the Mezopotamya News Agency, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Today, police in Istanbul arrested Aslan, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya News Agency, after raiding his home, and then transferred him to the southern city…
Belarus authorities detain at least 6 in tax investigation of local press club
New York, January 5, 2021 – Belarusian authorities should immediately release those recently detained as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion by Press Club Belarus, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 22, authorities in Minsk detained five employees of Press Club Belarus as well as Ksenia Lutskina, an independent journalist…
Egyptian journalist Aamer Abdelmonem detained on false news and terrorism charges, denied medication
New York, January 4, 2021 – Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Aamer Abdelmonem, and ensure that he receives proper medical treatment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 19, security officers arrested Abdelmonem, a freelance columnist who contributes to Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, from his home in Cairo, according to Al-Jazeera…
Moroccan authorities arrest journalist Maati Monjib
New York, December 29, 2020 – Moroccan authorities must immediately release journalist and press freedom advocate Maati Monjib, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security forces arrested Monjib, a contributor to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi as well as other outlets, today at a restaurant in the capital Rabat, according to a Facebook post by independent journalist and Moroccan…
Jordan must release publisher Jamal Haddad immediately
New York, December 27, 2020—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Jordanian authorities to release Jamal Haddad, publisher of the news website Alwakaai, and condemns the use of a national security prosecution to censor coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 24, Haddad was summoned and detained pending investigation under the country’s anti-terrorism law…
Chadian police raid Radio FM Liberté broadcaster, arrest dozens
New York, December 23, 2020 — Chadian authorities should refrain from conducting police raids on news outlets and should thoroughly investigate allegations that journalist Blaise Noubarassem was assaulted by police and intimidated by a government official, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On November 27, in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, police raided the office of…
Cuban journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez harassed, assaulted by security agents
Miami, December 23, 2020 — Cuban authorities must stop harassing and intimidating journalist Carlos Manuel Álvarez, and allow all members of the press to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 21, at about 2 p.m., security agents in the Playa municipality of Havana summoned Álvarez to a local police station,…
Somali radio journalist detained for 5 days after conducting interview
On October 17, 2020, Somali security personnel arrested Abdullahi Kulmiye Adow, a reporter with the local privately owned broadcaster Radio Kulmiye, days after he interviewed a businessman who professed support for the militant group Al-Shabaab, according to media reports and Abdullahi, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Abdullahi told CPJ that plain-clothed officers came…
Comoros journalist Oubeidillah Mchangama held for 3 days over Facebook posts
New York, December 22, 2020 — Comorian authorities should drop all legal proceedings against journalist Oubeidillah Mchangama and allow him to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 14, Comorian authorities arrested Oubeidillah, a reporter with Facebook-based news outlet FCBK FM, and held him at a remand center in Moroni, the…