(RSF/IFEX) – RSF wishes to protest at the recent arrests of several journalists. On 2 March 1999, Abdel-Latif Kutubi Omar, editor in chief of the opposition weekly “Al Haq,” was arrested for publishing an article that claimed Yemen plans to offer military facilities to the United States in the island of Socotra under the military […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF wishes to protest at the recent arrests of several
journalists.
On 2 March 1999, Abdel-Latif Kutubi Omar, editor in chief of the
opposition weekly “Al Haq,” was arrested for publishing an article that
claimed Yemen plans to offer military facilities to the United States in
the island of Socotra under the military co-operation agreements signed
last year by the two countries. He has been taken to the Criminal
Investigation Department for questioning.
On 3 March, Hicham Basharhabil, editor of another independent newspaper
“Al Ayyam”, and Haitham Al-Ghareeb, editor with the dailies “Al Ayyam”
and “Attariq,” were also summoned by the authorities for questioning
over articles “affecting national unity.” They are still under arrest.
On 23 February, Kaïd Saïf Nôman, editor in chief of the opposition
weekly “Al Shoura,” was arrested and released the day after.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to his excellency:
press freedom through the arrest of journalists
journalists are freed immediately and that freedom of expression is
protected in his country
Appeals To
His Excellency Ali Abdullah Saleh
President of the Republic of Yemen
Sana’a – Yemen
Tel: + 967 1 274 629
Fax: + 967 1 246 201
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
