Iranian Kurdish journalist Fardin Mostafaei detained in undisclosed location
Washington D.C., September 24, 2024—Islamic Republic of Iran authorities must free Iranian Kurdish journalist Fardin Mostafaei, who was arrested on September 18 in a cafe in the northwestern Kurdistan province and detained in an undisclosed location on unspecified charges, according to news reports. “Iranian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Fardin Mostafaei and…
Belarus detains journalist Yauhen Nikalayevich ahead of trial
New York, September 23, 2024—Belarusian authorities should disclose their reason for detaining journalist Yauhen Nikalayevich ahead of his September 26 trial on charges of violating public order in the southwestern city of Pinsk, and ensure that no journalists are jailed because of their work, said the Committee to Protect Journalist on Monday. “Journalist Yauhen Nikalayevich’s detention, despite a spate…
Turkey investigates Kurdish journalist for ‘spreading disinformation’ over crime reporting
Istanbul, September 23, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the Turkish authorities on Monday to drop the disinformation investigation into Rabia Önver, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish news website JİNNEWS, and stop using house raids to harass journalists. “The police raid of JİNNEWS reporter Rabia Önver’s house was completely unjustified for an alleged disinformation investigation…
Israeli forces raid Al Jazeera’s West Bank office, issue 45 day ban on its journalism
Editor’s note: On April 4, 2025, Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera’s West Bank office and renewed its closure for a further 60 days. Beirut, September 22, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Israeli authorities to stop harassing and obstructing Al Jazeera after armed Israeli forces raided the Qatari broadcaster’s office in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah…
Russia fines 11 journalists, restricts 2 outlets with anti-state laws
Berlin, September 20, 2024—Russian authorities have deployed laws penalizing “foreign agents,” “undesirable” organizations, and those who “discredit” the army to issue fines against 11 journalists, at least five of whom live in exile, and to retaliate against two media outlets in the last two months. The latest figures show that Russia’s crackdown has continued apace…
Journalists supportive of ousted Bangladesh leader targeted with arrest, criminal cases
New York, September 19, 2024—At least four Bangladeshi journalists who produced coverage seen as supportive of recently ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party remain detained following the establishment of an interim government in August. “CPJ is alarmed by the apparently baseless criminal cases lodged against Bangladeshi journalists in retaliation for their…
Belarusian journalist Andrei Tolchyn released following presidential pardon
New York, September 18, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the September 17 release of Belarusian journalist Andrei Tolchyn, who received a presidential pardon after serving almost a year of a two-and-a-half year prison sentence. “While we welcome the release of journalist Andrei Tolchyn, he should not have spent a single day in prison,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe…
Belarus’ dangerous push for Serbia to extradite journalist Andrey Gnyot
Editor’s note: On October 31, Belgrade Higher Court released Gnyot from house arrest after the expiration of the one-year legal term for detention. Gnyot left for an unspecified European country on the same day, RFE/RL reported. New York, September 17, 2024—Belarusian filmmaker Andrey Gnyot is stuck in a legal limbo after a Serbian appeals court announced on September 11 that it had…
WikkiTimes publisher, reporter face criminal charges over reporting on alleged corruption
Abuja, September 16, 2024—Authorities in Nigeria should discontinue criminal proceedings against journalists Haruna Mohammed Salisu and Yawale Adamu, of the privately owned WikkiTimes news site, and reform laws that criminalize the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. “Nigerian journalists must be allowed to investigate allegations of corruption without fear of imprisonment,” said CPJ…
Tunisia appeals court upholds Sonia Dahmani’s conviction amid election coverage crackdown
New York, September 13, 2024—Tunisian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release commentator Sonia Dahmani, following an appeals court decision Tuesday to uphold her conviction for spreading false news with a reduced eight-month sentence, and allow all journalists and news outlets to cover the upcoming presidential elections freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. “The…