The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the release of Hisham Bashraheel, Editor of Al Ayyam newspaper who was arrested in January following a
three day siege by Yemeni security forces. The Federation also called for the
release of all journalists currently in detention.
"It is indeed good news that the Yemeni authorities finally heeded the
call from journalists worldwide and consented to release Hisham," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "The cases of at least
three journalists are still pending including that of Mr. al Maqaleh, editor of
Al Eshteraki, who is in bad health and has been tortured and denied
medical assistance."
Bashraheel was arrested in
early January after security forces had laid siege to his newspaper's offices
where journalists were protesting violations
of press freedom in Yemen,
including the publication ban imposed on the newspaper. His son, Hani Bashraheel, managing director of Al Ayyam newspaper was also detained by
the authorities.
The IFJ says the fact that
Bashraheel was released without charges after months of detention vindicates
its criticism of the Yemeni authorities for his politically motivated arrest and the campaign of harassment and intimidation of independent journalists.
"We call once again on the authorities to
release all the journalists currently detained without charge," added Boumelha.
"If Hisham can be released, so should the others."
For more information contact the IFJ at
+32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide
