Vietnam sentences journalist Pham Chi Thanh to 5.5 years in prison
Bangkok, July 15, 2021 – Vietnamese authorities should release journalist Pham Chi Thanh immediately and unconditionally, and cease imprisoning members of the press for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 9, a Hanoi court sentenced Thanh, a journalist who blogs under the pseudonym Pham Thanh, to five years and six…
Moroccan journalist Soulaiman Raissouni sentenced to 5 years in prison
New York, July 12, 2021 – In response to the July 9 sentencing of journalist Soulaiman Raissouni to five years in prison on sexual assault charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Moroccan authorities should release journalist Soulaiman Raissouni immediately and refrain from filing trumped-up sexual assault charges against members of the…
Algerian journalist Mustapha Bendjama given 2-month suspended prison sentence
On June 27, 2021, an appeals court in Annaba, in northeast Algeria, issued Mustapha Bedjama, editor-in-chief of the local independent news website Le Provincial, a two-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 20,000 dinars (US $150), according to news reports and Bendjama, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. The case stemmed from “harming…
Turkish journalist and press freedom advocate Hakkı Boltan sentenced to 2 years in prison for insulting president and prime minister
Istanbul, June 29, 2021 – Turkey must not contest journalist Hakkı Boltan’s appeal, and should ensure that all members of the press can work freely and without fear of imprisonment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Earlier today, the 12th Diyarbakır Court of First Instance, in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır, convicted Boltan of…
Turkish journalist Sinan Aygül sentenced to jail over sexual assault reporting
Istanbul, June 14, 2021 – Turkish authorities should not imprison journalist Sinan Aygül, and the country’s Constitutional Court should accept his case, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 29, the First Penal Chamber of the Van Regional Court of Justice, an appeals court in eastern Turkey, upheld Aygül’s 2019 conviction on charges…
CPJ welcomes 2nd conviction in case of slain Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas
Mexico City, June 9, 2021 – In response to yesterday’s conviction of Juan Francisco Picos Barrueta, known as “El Quillo,” for his role in the murder of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The conviction of Juan Francisco Picos Barrueta is an important step toward ending impunity…
Myanmar military court sentences 2 journalists to jail for incitement
Bangkok, June 2, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned Myanmar authorities’ sentencing of two journalists to prison on charges of incitement, and called for them to be released immediately. Today, a military court in the southern city of Myeik convicted Aung Kyaw, a reporter with the Democratic Voice of Burma, and Zaw…
Myanmar sentences DVB reporter Min Nyo to 3 years in prison for criminal mutiny
Bangkok, May 13, 2021 – Myanmar authorities should not contest the appeal of Democratic Voice of Burma reporter Min Nyo, and should cease jailing journalists for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, a military court convicted Min Nyo on charges of criminal mutiny and sentenced him to three years in prison,…
Uzbek blogger Otabek Sattoriy sentenced to 6.5 years in prison
Stockholm, May 10, 2021 – Uzbekistan authorities should immediately release journalist Otabek Sattoriy, not contest his appeal, and allow all journalists to work freely and without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Earlier today, the Muzrabot District Court in the southern Surkhondaryo region convicted Sattoriy, a blogger who covers local corruption…
Hong Kong media owner Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months in prison over 2019 protests
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2021 – In response to a Hong Kong court’s sentencing today of media owner Jimmy Lai to 14 months in prison, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Forcing a prominent pro-democracy media entrepreneur like Jimmy Lai to spend more than a year in prison and hitting him with…