Kuwait

“The government should allow demonstrators to speak and assemble freely – as is their right,” said Human Rights Watch.

Mohamed Abdel Qader Al-Jassem was convicted over an entry in his blog in which he accused Iranian intelligence services of meddling in Kuwait’s affairs.

The latest decision to close media outlets came only days after Al Jazeera’s office was ordered closed, following broadcast of disputed material.

The broadcaster’s office was closed and its journalists’ licences revoked after it reported on a security raid against opposition MPs.

“I know the peril of this article,” wrote journalist Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem, in a story critical of the prime minister, “the interest and dignity of my country are more important to me than my own life.”

Scope TV was also overrun by a mob of some 150 people brandishing knives and pistols, according to RSF.

The book fair administrators decided to ban the titles, claiming they were”contrary to the fair and state policies.”

In May and June 2010, editor Ibrahim Eissa published articles about the legal pursuit of Kuwaiti journalists and the prime minister’s failure to prevent this.

ANHRI believes that the court was right in its decision to release the journalist and the activist as they were only exercising their legitimate right to free expression.

Khaled Al Fadala was convicted of “insult” and “libel” after the prime minister filed a complaint against him.

CPJ is also alarmed by reports that the Ministry of Information will prosecute Al-Jazeera’s office in Kuwait for violating a ban on local coverage of Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem’s case.

In an open letter to the Emir of Kuwait, CPJ expresses concern about the extrajudicial detention of prominent journalist Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem.

Opposition journalist Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem is charged with “instigating to overthrow the regime”, among other accusations.

Prosecutors are reportedly going through every article that Mohammed Abdel Qader al-Jassem has posted on his blog in the last five years.

“This ban constitutes a serious obstruction of investigative reporting, an essential component of quality journalism in a country that claims to be democratic,” said RSF.

Kuwait’s State Security forces should stop arresting and deporting expatriate supporters of Egyptian opposition candidate Dr. Mohammad al-Baradei, says Human Rights Watch.