Articles by PEN International
Writer Dr Nasr Hamed Abu-Zeid branded an apostate
On 5 August 1996, Egyptian academic and writer Dr Nasr Hamed Abu-Zeid was ordered to divorce from his wife after being branded an apostate by the Court of Cassation. **Updates IFEX alert dated 20 June 1995** The court ruled that Dr Abu-Zeid was an apostate, confirming a decision by the Cairo Court of Appeals in […]
WiPC marks third year since the sentencing of poet and journalist Cecilio Ismael Sambra Hubert
Poet, journalist and screenwriter Cecilio Ismael Sambra Hubert has entered his fourth year in prison since being sentenced in July 1993 by a court in Santiago de Cuba to ten years in prison for “rebellion.” The sentence was in connection with leaflets that he and some friends had distributed in Santiago in early 1993 which […]
Three on trial for editing and publishing a youth newsletter
Three people are now on trial in Seoul for publishing and editing the newsletter of a youth organization. The prosecutors have recommended that they receive prison terms of up to four years. International PEN considers the charges against them to be in violation of their right to freedom of expression. Hwang Yun-mi (f), a language […]
Turkish journalist released
Source: Express Chronicle, Moscow On 21 June 1996, Azeri President Heidar Aliev ordered the release of detained Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) journalist Isa Yasara Tezel. His release followed a meeting between Aliev and a delegation from the Turkish province of Igdir, which has a large Azeri population.
WiPC Anniversary Action calls on authorities to pursue investigation into 1981 disappearance of journalist Tomas Nativi Galvez
In a recent Anniversary Action, the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN has called on Honduran authorities to pursue investigations into the disappearance of university professor and journalist Tomas Nativi Galvez. At 2:30 in the morning on 11 June 1981, Bertha Oliva was roused from sleep by the sound of gunshots and a […]
Writer Mohammed Sule released
**Updates IFEX alert dated 6 October 1995** On 14 June 1996, writer and documentary film-maker Mohammed Sule was released from detention. However, he continues to have restrictions placed on his movements.
Writer and environmentalist Alexander Nikitin detained on charges of treason for authoring report on nuclear hazards
On 6 February 1996, Alexander Nikitin, the co-author of a report by the Oslo-based environmental group Bellona entitled “The Russian Northern Fleet: Sources of Radioactive Contamination”, was arrested by Russian authorities. He has been charged under Article 64 of the Russian Criminal Code with treason, which carries a prison term of between 10 and 15 […]
Author remains under “house arrest” after release from prison
Bao Tong, a writer and former senior Chinese government official, was transferred from prison to “house arrest” in a secure government facility to the west of Beijing upon the expiry of his seven-year sentence on 27 May 1996. Recommended Action Send appeals to the Chinese government: Noting the transfer of Bao Tong from prison to […]