Journalists targeted in Arab countries

Talk about freedom of expression in the Arab world? Don't make me laugh!
I found this interesting post on Interested-Participant weblog: "Saudi Journalist Jailed for Internet Writings".
link here

(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)

Saudi authorities are questioning a journalist about writings he posted on an Internet forum four years ago. His faith in Islam is being doubted.

Saudi journalist Rabah Al-Quwayi, 24, has been detained by Hail authorities in connection with his writings posted on Internet forums, which they allege place his Islamic faith in doubt.

link to ArabNews for the original


Is that all? Of course not!
What about the website editor arrested only a few days ago in Syria?

Website editor Mohammed Ghanem was arrested at his home in the northeastern city of Ar Raqqah on 31 March by military intelligence officers.

Ghanem, who edits the www.surion.org website, refused to leave with the military intelligence officers until the local military intelligence chief came and took him away after one hour.

He was previously arrested on 12 March 2004 and held for 15 days for writing an article about the violent clashes that took place that month between Kurds, Arab tribes and Syrian security forces in the north-eastern city of Qamishli.

source: Reporters sans frontieres


Is that all for today? Not yet!

There is still no word of journalist Ali Abdallah and his son, Mohammad, who were arrested by the Syrian authorities two week ago, on 23 March.

Also detained in Syria is journalism student Massoud Hamid, who has been in prison 24 July 2004 for posting photos of a pro-Kurdish demonstration in Damascus on a website based abroad. The winner of the Reporters Without Borders - Fondation de France prize last year in the cyber-dissident category, he is serving a three-year sentence.