The Courtroom Should be Packed for al-Khaiwani’s Verdict
Sahwa Net – The Yemeni Journalist Syndicate has called upon all journalists, activists, parliamentarians and civil society to attend the trying of the well-known journalist Abdul-Karim Al-Khaiwani, affirming that the state security court will issue a sentence in the case on Monday.
Al-Khaiwani, Editor-In-Chief al-Shura.net news website was sentenced to a year in prison last September for incitement, insulting President Saleh, publishing false news, causing sectarian discrimination and supporting al-Houthi rebellion in Sa’ada governorate.
Yemen is overdue for a victory for press freedom. Its been a while.
Al-Khaiwani is accused of numerous violations, among which includes leaking information on the progress of fighting in Sa’ada between the army and Houthi rebels.
During his trial, Amnesty International Organization listed Al-Khaiwani among those journalists to be honored in dedication for human rights and those whose lives are subject to peril in 2008.
According to the organizations release, the prize is awarded to any journalist from across globe whose life was subject to peril, mainly because of adopting human rights journalism.
The release also revealed that Al-Khaiwani, who was the editor-in-chief of Al-Shoura newspaper, has been subjected to perils while performing his journalistic mission.
It called on concerned authorities to ensure his safety and his right to freedom of expression, stressing that a journalist anywhere in the world should not be detained over performing his journalistic task.
The winning journalists are hosted in the organization’s headquarters in London where they are granted the prize. The prize festival is held on June 16.
Media sources feared the issuance of the ruling against Al-Khaiwani could prevent him from traveling abroad to receive the prize, especially when the ruling announcement comes when the situation is tense between Houthi followers and authorities.
They didn’t even let him go to a Red Cross conference in Morocco last year. Since the National Security took over control of the airports, several activists and journalists have been prevented from leaving the country.
