The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) have called on Yemeni authorities to drop charges against journalist Saïd Thabet Saïd, who was arrested in Sanaa on 5 March 2004. Thanet Saïd was accused of "spreading false news damaging to public interest and security." The IFJ says the action is part of a process of intimidation of Yemeni journalists.

"We are appalled by the Yemeni security forces' disregard for a free press and basic human rights," said IFJ. Thabet Saïd's arrest followed his reporting that Ahmed Ali Abdullah, the elder son of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, had survived an attempted assassination. Quickly denied by governmental sources, the report was published by Thabet Saïd's news agency, London-based al-Qods Press, among others.

Thabet Saïd is to appear in court on 10 March. He risks a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine equivalent to approximately US $100, said RSF. The organisation added that "the arrest of a journalist and his detention for 72 hours, as if he were a criminal, are serious and unacceptable press-freedom violations." RSF requested that media professionals be reassured by the government that such actions will cease, and that the country's press laws will be amended.

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-IFJ: http://www.ifj.org