Swedish journalist imprisoned in Turkey; accused of insulting president, terrorism
Istanbul, March 31, 2025—Turkish authorities should immediately release Swedish journalist Kaj Joakim Medin, who was arrested March 27 in Istanbul on accusations of “being a member of a terrorist organization” and “insulting” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Committee to Protest Journalists said Monday. “Turkey was a haven for foreign journalists covering the region just a…
Russian journalist Maria Ponomarenko sentenced to 22 additional months in prison
New York, March 28, 2025—A court in Russia’s southern Altai Krai on Thursday convicted Maria Ponomarenko, a correspondent for independent news site RusNews, of using violence against prison staff and sentenced her to an additional 22 months in prison. Ponomarenko is already serving a six-year prison sentence after being convicted in February 2023 on charges…
10 international organizations submit amicus brief in case of imprisoned Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín
March 28, 2025 – A group of 10 international organizations submitted an amicus curiae brief to Guatemala’s Supreme Court in the case of journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín. The brief, filed on March 26, argues that Zamora’s return to preventive detention constitutes a violation of his fundamental rights under Guatemalan and international law, and urges…
Zimbabwe seeks to stifle political debate with jail, threats, legislation
Lusaka, March 27, 2025—“I have learnt that free speech, free talk, is not free,” Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga wrote in a letter from prison, which was made public on February 28, his fourth day behind bars. Mhlanga, who works with the privately owned broadcaster Heart and Soul TV, was arrested on February 24 and charged with…
China jails Taiwan-based publisher for 3 years on separatism charges
New York, March 26, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a three-year prison sentence handed to Taiwan-based radio host and publisher Li Yanhe on charges of inciting separatism, and calls on Chinese authorities to allow the media to work freely. Li, who is a Chinese citizen and goes by the name Fucha, was arrested in…
CPJ, partners urge Philippine president to end Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s prolonged detention as trial enters key stage
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday joined four press freedom organizations in urging Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and its Department of Justice to end the detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been behind bars for more than five years. The groups said in a joint statement, led by CPJ, that the 26-year-old…
CPJ calls for release of José Rubén Zamora after Guatemala judge orders the journalist back to jail
The Committee to Protect Journalists denounces Monday’s court ruling to revoke the house arrest of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora and send him back to prison. “The decision to return journalist José Rubén Zamora to prison is a blatant act of judicial persecution. This case represents a dangerous escalation in the repression of independent journalism,”…
CPJ: Georgia must free Mzia Amaglobeli after 53 days in jail for a slap
New York, March 5, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Georgian court decision to proceed with the trial of media manager Mzia Amaglobeli and keep her in detention, following an altercation with a local police chief. In a March 4 pretrial hearing, Georgia’s western Batumi City Court rejected motions to release Amaglobeli, director of…
Azerbaijan sentences Kanal 13 director Aziz Orujov to 2 years in prison
New York, February 28, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns an Azerbaijani court decision on February 26 sentencing Aziz Orujov, director of independent broadcaster Kanal 13, to two years in prison on illegal construction charges. “Amid an unprecedented crackdown that has seen dozens of journalists incarcerated, Azerbaijan authorities’ singling out of Aziz Orujov from among…
Belarusian journalist Palina Pitkevich’s extremism trial set to open
New York, February 27, 2025— Belarusian authorities should immediately release Belarusian journalist Palina Pitkevich, whose trial on charges of participating in an extremist organization is set to start on March 7, and stop jailing the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “Palina Pitkevich’s detention is yet another grim reminder that…