The Next Yemeni Journalistist to be targeted: Arafat Madabesh
SANAA, Yemen, Nov. 8 (UPI) — Yemeni journalists sounded the alarm over rampant harassment, which in its latest form targeted the Sanaa correspondent of the U.S.-funded Radio Sawa.
The Syndicate of Yemeni Journalists Tuesday addressed a letter to the Interior Ministry requesting an immediate and thorough investigation into an attempted attack against Arafat Madabesh in a Sanaa neighborhood late Monday.
The journalists asked the government to ensure their protection and avoid recurring attacks that have been targeting the press corps for the past months.
Madabesh told United Press International that two unknown men followed him in a car after he left his home, stopped him and insulted him with the most repugnant words. He said they tried to hit him with sharp objects but stopped and fled when passersby stopped to watch the incident.
Madabesh, who is known for his critical articles against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, was not the first journalist to be attacked in recent months. Other journalists have been summoned by authorities and detained without charges over their writings.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said in a report published last week that the Yemeni government was targeting critical journalists.
