Campaign to Save Yemeni Journalist Al-Khaiwani

The Yemeni government has accused journalist and newspaper editor Abdel Kareem al-Khaiwani (aka Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani) of insulting Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

For the alleged crime, al-Khaiwani faces prison or possible execution.

Al-Khaiwani has repeatedly been under fire for his writings which regularly criticize the government. Consequently, he has been accused of having terrorist ties and fomenting tribal and sectarian unrest. Other journalists have also been threatened, repeatedly harassed, arrested and jailed.

Yemen is a fractured nation with armed tribal and government groups fighting each other in bloody confrontations. Al-Khaiwani has been accused of being linked to the anti-government Houthis which is part of the basis for which he is on trial.

During its most recent hearing, chaired by Judge Mohsen Mohammed Alwan, the court listened to a response made by the prosecution to an appeal filed by the defense team of Al-Khaiwani.

In its response, the prosecution said it has clear evidence of Al-Khawiani’s connection with Houthis.

Despite the allegations, the general consensus is that al-Khaiwani is being persecuted for his writings. As a result, al-Khaiwani is scheduled to be sentenced May 21.

To save al-Khaiwani and help support the endangered Yemeni journalistic community, a letter-writing campaign has been launched. The campaign to Protect Media Freedom in Yemen protests the prosecution of al-Khaiwani and asks for intervention by human rights, journalism and diplomatic leaders.

Readers of Interested-Participant are asked to join the campaign. Follow the link.

More at The Jawa Report.