Articles by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Managing director of the satirical weekly “El-Kalaa” detained; editor-in-chief released on bail
On 20 May 1996, Mahmoud Boumedjria, the managing director of the satirical weekly “El-Kalaa”, was placed on a committal order (“mandat de depot”) by the prosecutor’s office of Tebessa, in eastern Algeria. Lakhdar Khelfaoui, the weekly’s editor-in-chief, was released on bail. Boumedjria was detained following the publication of an article that commented on the absence […]
“Evrensel” journalist Irsan Kurt arrested
On 22 May 1996, Irsan Kurt, a journalist for the leftist daily “Evrensel”, was arrested by Istanbul police. He was apprehended while making his way in a car to a press conference in the Alibeykoy district of Istanbul. The driver of the car stated that they were stopped at a roadblock allegedly set up by […]
Authorities confiscate copies of the privately-owned daily “Al-Rai Al-Akhar”
On 20 May 1996, a group of armed men stormed the offices of the privately-owned daily “Al-Rai Al-Akhar” and confiscated all 20,000 copies of that day’s edition. The attack occurred one day after the newspaper had reported the revolt at a prison south of Khartoum orchestrated by 95 soldiers suspected of taking part in a […]
Satirical weekly “Mesmar” suspended; three staff released after 48 hours; fourth arrested
**Updates IFEX alert of 15 May 1996** On 19 May 1996, the East Constantine state printing house refused to publish the fourth issue of the satirical weekly “Mesmar”. The paper’s editors were informed verbally of the suspension, but were given no official reason. On 15 May, managing director Mohamed Zetili, managing editor Mustapha Nattour and […]
Weekly “Payam-e-Daneshjoue” banned
On 20 May 1996, Iran’s Media Monitoring Committee banned the radical weekly “Payam-e-Daneshjoue” for “repeated infringements of the press law.” The charge is thought to stem from clauses in the law forbidding the publication of material which “violates the rules of Islam and the foundations of the Islamic Republic,… encourages antagonism between social classes…[and] insults […]
Two Palestinian journalists arrested
On 16 May 1996, Palestinian journalists Mu’aness Abu-Shilbayeh and Ussama `Aareff, respectively the soundman and cameraman for the Saudi television station MBC, were arrested as they were attempting to enter Israel from Al-Ram. The journalists were told that they did not have the proper credentials for working in Israel. Several hours later, `Aareff was released […]
Authorities refuse to renew passport of journalist Salah Bechir
Tunisian authorities have refused to renew the passport of journalist Salah Bechir, an editorial writer with the Arab- language, London-based daily “Al-Hayat”. On 2 April 1996, Bechir went to the Tunisian Embassy in Paris to ask for a renewal of his passport. However, on 10 May, his request was turned down, with one Embassy official […]
Three journalists with satirical weekly “Mesmar” arrested; “Mesmar” ordered shut down
On 13 May 1996, Mohamed Zetili and Mustapha Nattour, publisher and editor-in-chief respectively of the satirical weekly “Mesmar”, were arrested at their home by police in the city of Constantine. As well, Mohamed Nacer Belfounes, a cartoonist with “Mesmar”, was arrested on the afternoon of 14 May. No reason was given by Algerian authorities for […]