December 18, 2007

Yemen Wages War on Journalist

The following link is to a detailed history of our favorite Yemeni journalist, Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, who is currently on trial in Yemen's terrorism court for publishing photos of the Sa'ada war. The article ranges from his 2004 arrest to 2005 when the regime cloned the newspaper, 2006 when his website was blocked and 2007 when he was arrested, beaten, released for medical reasons, and then kidnapped and beaten again. His trial is ongoing in more ways than one.

As Al-Khiwani told MENASSAT.COM, “I am paying the price for believing the government and its claims about pursuing rise of democracy. After they broke into my house and terrified my family and kidnapped me in public, in front of the Al-Nida newspaper, I have this feeling that the authorities have decided to spill my blood.”

Three weeks ago, in a last ditch effort, Al-Khiwani went to the offices of Amnesty International in Sana’a to give them his last will and testament: “I hold the president directly responsible for anything that happens to me or to my family.”

Al-Khaiwani does believe in democracy. He also believes he has a right to express his opinions. The regime has been trying to crush him for years. Check the photos with the article.

By Jane at 05:58 PM | |