The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today protested at the Yemeni Appeal Court's ruling confirming the conviction of the award winning journalist Al Khaiwani for the dissemination of anti-government propaganda.

"This shocking decision is a terrible indictment of the Yemeni justice system," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "Al Khaiwani was pardoned by the Yemeni Head of state and given assurances by senior justice officials that the case against him based on spurious charges was closed."

According to reports, the Yemeni Court of Appeal on 26 January upheld the guilty verdict against Abdulkarim al Khaiwani who was accused of engaging in anti government propaganda with the intention of weakening the army's morale and causing social unrest.

Al Khaiwani, former editor of the online magazine Al-Shoura, won the prestigious Amnesty International 2008 " Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat" following his arrest and detention for allegedly conspiring with rebels fighting the Yemeni government in 2007.

He was sentenced on 9 of June 2008 to six years in prison without the prosecution providing any explanation of the crime that he had allegedly committed beyond the general charges of "terrorism." No direct link was proved between him and armed groups beyond the pictures he obtained and used in his reports on security threats to Yemen.

The IFJ called for the case to be reviewed and allegations against him to be substantiated by evidence that can be tested in open court.  Al Khaiwani was pardoned by the Yemeni President three months later in September 2008.

When receiving the Amnesty International's Award on behalf of Khaiwani, Boumelha paid tribute to his contribution to journalism saying "This award should go further than supporting the steadfastness and courage of one journalist battling against his tormentors. It should also be a recognition through him of all the struggles and all the sacrifices made by many journalists and others to advance freedom, justice, democracy and human rights in Yemen and the rest of the Arab World."

The IFJ is concerned that this latest ruling serves as a pretext for the authorities to control Al Khaiwani's life by restricting his liberty to travel and to take up employment.

He was unable to travel to London in November 2008 to attend the ceremony organised by Amnesty International UK at which he was to receive his prize.  

"The Presidential pardon must be given effect to and our colleague allowed to recover his freedom and to resume his career," added Boumelha.

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide