"The use of the judiciary to settle political scores and to intimidate journalists:"
The appeal court in Jijel, nearly 224 miles (360 kilometers) east of Algiers, upheld the convictions of Omar Belhouchet, editor of El Watan, and columnist Chawki Amari. Both were convicted of defaming and insulting the governor of Jijel. The court also upheld a 1 million Algerian dinar ($15,000) fine...
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the governor of Jijel after El Watan published a column by Amari in December 2006 in which he accused the governor of using public funds to buy a car for his mistress, said the paper’s lawyer. Belhouchet and Amari were prosecuted for defamation and insulting comment. They were sentenced on December 24, 2006, to three-month jail terms and fined 1 million Algerian dinars (US$15,000) by a misdemeanor court in Jijel.
The two journalists, who had not been informed about the prosecution and court hearing, appealed the verdict. They were granted a retrial on May 27, 2007, and had their sentences reduced to two months.
Yeah, it might be nice if the Algerian authorities at least condescended to let journalists know when their show trial is going to be held. Then again, if the whole exercise is a farce anyway, why even bother showing up?
Bouteflika: 2 down, 150 to go, have to beat Ben Ali and Assad this year.
Posted by: Malo | August 28, 2009 at 10:42 AM
So, that's so, because that can not be, if it had anything so there was ...
Posted by: grand-gambler.com | March 31, 2010 at 07:19 PM
Gracias por el contenido interesante!
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