The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the three month jail sentence and one year ban from journalism handed down to Yemeni reporter Anisa Mohammed Ali Othman on 16 January by a court which convicted her of insulting the Head of State.

"We condemn this gross injustice done to our colleague and call for this ruling to be set aside," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "Government should take heed of exposure of ills in the country by media rather than drag them through courts on ridiculous charges."

According to media reports, Anisa, a journalist for Al-Wasat newspaper, was convicted over two articles she published in 2008 denouncing corruption, injustice and violations of human rights in Yemen. The journalist was also banned from practicing journalism for one year and fined 10.000 riyals (EUR50). She denied ever naming President Ali Abdullah Saleh in her articles and dismisses accusations levelled at her as being politically motivated.

The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) has also protested the ruling. A sit-in at the Presidential palace has been organised today to show support for the journalist and to call for the decision to be reversed.

The IFJ backs the YJS and says Yemeni authorities are lashing out to critics and media for holding their Government to account by exposing is failings. The Federation last year criticised the jail sentences handed down to  two Yemeni journalists, Sammer Jubran, chief editor of weekly Al-Masdar and Muneer Al-Maweeri, Washington based journalist, who were also accused of insulting the President. The IFJ has also campaigned for the release of journalist Mohammed al Maqaleh, editor of the opposition Socialist Party's website, Al Eshteraki, who was abducted in September 2009 and has not been seen since.

"We will push back hard as the Government seeks to make journalists scapegoats for its dismal record in office," added Boumelha. "Bad news for the regime cannot be buried by bullying journalists."

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

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide