Congressman asks Yemen to acquit and free journalist al-Khaiwani
Sana’a, May 24, 2008 (YemenOnline) – A congressman requested the Yemeni authorities to acquit and free a jailed opposition journalist.
Congressional representative, Trent Franks, sent a letter to the Yemeni Ambassador to Washington, Abdulwahab al-Hajri, addressing the ongoing prosecution case of opposition journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani.
In his letter, Franks called upon the Yemeni government to abide by principles of democracy and human rights in al-Khaiwani’s case and to drop all charges filed against him.
Congressman Frank also expressed his concern over the “maltreatment” of journalists in Yemen top of whom is journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani.
“Khaiwani is an independent and respected journalist,” the letter read.
“Al-Khaiwani’s newspaper was cloned, his news website was blocked and he was kidnapped and even his children were threatened and terrorized,” the letter added.
Several local and international media and rights groups expressed their grave concern about the trial of journalist al-Khaiwani, charged with being a member of a terrorist group and appealed to President Saleh to free al-Khaiwani as he is prosecuted for expressing of opinion.
The American Islamic Congress called on Tuesday the Yemeni government to drop all charges against al-Khaiwani, who faces a sentencing hearing that could result in the death penalty.
"When terrorist masterminds walk free but investigative journalists get arrested, there is a serious threat to freedom of the press," said Nasser Weddady the organization Civil Rights director.
"The Yemeni government has been lax with terrorists and brutal with reporters.
That is unacceptable," Weddady explained.
The Specialized Penal Court postponed on Wednesday its sentencing hearing against al-Khaiwani.
The court did not set a date of Khaiwani’s next hearing.
Observers said that Yemen postponed al-Khaiwani’s trial after receiving a letter from the American Islamic Congress calling for dropping charges against him.
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