(EFJA/IFEX) – On 20 August 2003, three journalists from the weekly newspaper “Al-Nejashi” were imprisoned and fined following a Sharia Court decision. Publisher Arif Abdul Kadir, managing editor Awol Kedir and editor in-chief Yusuf Getachew were each handed one-month prison sentences and fines ranging from 600 to 1000 Eth. birr (US$70 to $117). The three […]
(EFJA/IFEX) – On 20 August 2003, three journalists from the weekly newspaper “Al-Nejashi” were imprisoned and fined following a Sharia Court decision. Publisher Arif Abdul Kadir, managing editor Awol Kedir and editor in-chief Yusuf Getachew were each handed one-month prison sentences and fines ranging from 600 to 1000 Eth. birr (US$70 to $117).
The three “Al-Nejashi” journalists were arrested and detained by police on 18 August. They were brought before the Sharia Court on 19 August on defamation charges. The charges were based on an article that appeared in the 6 June edition of “Al-Nejashi” (issue 34/95), entitled, “The marriage of Oustaz Kassim has become a topic of debate”. The article dealt with a misunderstanding that had developed between Shaih Oustaz Kassim and “the parents of Zeinit Mohammed”, whom the report referred to as Oustaz Kassim’s second wife.
EFJA notes that for the past 12 years, cases of free press journalists who were alleged to have violated the press law have been brought before the Federal High Court’s Criminal Bench, in accordance with Press Proclamation No. 34/85. This is the first time the Sharia Court has imprisoned and fined journalists. Such cases normally fall outside its jurisdiction.
EFJA believes that if the three “Al-Nejashi” journalists are alleged to have violated the press law, their cases should be heard by the Federal High Court, pursuant to Press Proclamation No. 34/85. In addition, EFJA believes that only one person – either the editor-in-chief or publisher of “Al-Nejashi” – can possibly be held accountable in this case. Yet three ”Al Nejashi” editorial staff members were arrested and detained by police. The Sharia Court imposed the prison sentences and fines without giving the journalists any opportunity to fight their cases.
