al-Khaiwani verdict: Six years with hard labor
He’s in jail now. This from the same court that finds it legal and even admirable when Yemenis murder Iraqis in Iraq. But writing about the Yemeni civilians suffering during Ali Mohsen’s personal jihad in Sa’ada is punishable by six years in jail. Every journalist in Yemen is much less free now. And so is the world.
“Among those sentenced to jail was Abdul Kareem al-Khaiwani, editor of al-Shura newspaper, who is accused of supporting al-Houthi rebellion in Sa’ada because photos of the fighting in Saada were found with him….” Also he interviewed some of the rebels, ergo he is trying to overthrow the state, as opposed to engaging in normal journalistic practices.
At least no one believes the Yemeni regime anymore. The government has been totally discredited on both the “partner in the war on Terror” and the “emerging democracy” fronts. Its pretty clear they are a mafia like tyranny that is more loyal to bin Laden than to the West with no respect for civil rights.
To the bloggers, hi! Yes I pinged you. It seemed the most effecient way of speaking the news. Sucks, yes? Anyway, we’re not done, I’m not done. I’m trying to think of something really annoying. Maybe we can all send President Saleh a bottle of Shivas Regal (his favorite drink) to the embassy here with a note, “Congrats on killing press freedom Ali!!!” Ah, but then he’d probably just arrest more journalists to get more Chivas….And, considering its Saleh, we could probably get away with Thunderbird. How much is a case of Thunderbird, $7.00? Seriously, I’ll get back to you after I talk to HAMSA tomorrow.
Reuters: Yemeni officials say government forces have made progress against the rebels but communications with the province have been severed, making it difficult to obtain independent reports. The government has also urged journalists not to report on the details of the fighting.
Among those sentenced to jail was Abdel Karim al-Khaywani, editor of opposition newspaper al-Shura, who was found carrying images of the fighting in Saada and statements from the rebels. Khaywani was sentenced to six years but, like all 14 of the convicts, is appealing the verdict.
The bloggers:
