Yemen

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender and journalist Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani has been subjected to ill-treatment while in prison. Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani is former Editor-in-Chief of the pro-democracy online publication Al-Shoura. He is a pro-democracy activist and a campaigner for the right to freedom of expression in Yemen, and was recently awarded the 2008 Amnesty International UK Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat. On 9 June 2008, Abdul Al-Khaiwani was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after being convicted by a state security court in Sana'a of conspiracy with anti-government rebels; on the basis of allegations which are believed to be fabricated.  

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender and journalist Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani is facing charges of having terrorism ties and that his trial due to take place on 21 May has been postponed. Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani is former Editor-in-Chief of the pro-democracy online newspaper Al-Shoura, and a campaigner for the right to freedom of expression in Yemen. He has been nominated for the 2008 Amnesty International UK's special award for human rights journalist under threat but might not be able to attend the Award Ceremony on 8 July 2008 due to a travel ban imposed upon him by the Yemeni authorities.