(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has urged Bahraini authorities to call off the trial of the editor of “Al-Wasat”, the kingdom’s leading independent daily, and one of its reporters. The journalists face six months in prison and/or a fine of 1,000 dinars (approx. $US2,650; 2,300 euros) for reporting in March 2003 that three suspected terrorists had been […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has urged Bahraini authorities to call off the trial of the editor of “Al-Wasat”, the kingdom’s leading independent daily, and one of its reporters. The journalists face six months in prison and/or a fine of 1,000 dinars (approx. $US2,650; 2,300 euros) for reporting in March 2003 that three suspected terrorists had been released on bail.
Editor Mansour Al-Jamri and reporter Hussein Khalaf are facing sentences that are disproportionate to the alleged offence, said RSF. The authorities claim that they did not have the necessary authorisation from the public prosecutor’s office to publish information about the alleged terrorists.
Many journalists and human rights activists attended the trial’s opening on 21 June. The next hearing is scheduled for 1 July.
In November 2002, King Hamad ben Issa Al-Khalifa enacted a new press law guaranteeing the right to “express one’s opinion and to disseminate it orally or in writing.” However, offences “against the Islamic faith, the unity of the people and the person of the king,” and “inciting division or sectarianism” are punishable by six months to five years in prison.
After objections from the Bahraini Centre for Human Rights and an independent union of Bahraini journalists, which is in the process of formation, the authorities announced that the new press law would be amended after consultation with journalists.
“Al-Wasat”, founded in September 2002, is Bahrain’s third Arabic-language daily. The other dailies are subject to strict government control. Al-Jamri lived in self-imposed exile in London for many years and was the spokesman of the opposition Bahrain Freedom Movement.
