(RSF/IFEX) – RSF expressed its concern to Saudi Arabian authorities about the dismissal of Mohammed al-Mukhtar al-Fal, editor-in-chief of the private daily “Al-Madina”. “The decision demonstrates the extent to which criticism of the legal system is not allowed in the country. Moreover, for years international human rights organisations have denounced Saudi Arabia’s justice system,” said […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF expressed its concern to Saudi Arabian authorities about the dismissal of Mohammed al-Mukhtar al-Fal, editor-in-chief of the private daily “Al-Madina”. “The decision demonstrates the extent to which criticism of the legal system is not allowed in the country. Moreover, for years international human rights organisations have denounced Saudi Arabia’s justice system,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. The organisation recalled that, in November 2001, King Ibn el Saud was added to its list of international press freedom predators.
On 18 March 2002, Interior Minister Prince Nayef ordered the editor-in-chief’s dismissal after the 10 March edition of the newspaper published a poem by Abdul Mohsen Musalam. The poem, titled “The Corrupt on Earth”, accused certain judges of corruption and abuses. The poet wrote that, “it is sad that in the Arab world justice suffers at the hands of a few judges who are only concerned about their bank accounts.” On 16 March, Abdul Mohsen Musalam, a well-known Saudi Arabian poet and writer, was detained and taken to the Djedda prison for writing the poem.
