Testing academic freedom

May 9th, 2011

Three years later, the Nottingham University “terrorism” row rumbles on —- first reading was made a crime, now internal criticism. Jane Fae reports
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Yemen: Press freedom a distant hope

October 27th, 2010

A Yemeni journalist accused of advising an Al-Qaeda cleric alleges he was kidnapped and tortured by the state. Iona Craig reports
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Saudi Arabia in BlackBerry deal

August 9th, 2010

The Saudi Arabian government and RIM, the Canadian manufacturer of BlackBerry have compromised over plans to ban the BlackBerry messenger service. The deal reportedly allows for a server to be built in Saudi Arabia, overcoming the concerns of the government that data was sent abroad. Fears were originally raised by the United Arab Emirates, who plan to implement their own ban in October. Experts have raised concerns that this will allow the authorities access to private messages and content and could increase state censorship. The Saudi government claims that BlackBerrys are used by terrorists and a threat to national security.

Anti-terror stop and search powers to be scrapped

July 8th, 2010

Home Secretary Theresa May is to halt searches of individuals without reasonable suspicion after the European Court of Human Rights rules the power unlawful. Leah Borromeo reports

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Twitter bomb joker to appeal conviction

June 4th, 2010

Paul Chambers is to appeal against his conviction for sending a threatening message on the social media site Twitter. The trainee accountant, 26, the tweeted “Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!” On 10 May Chambers was convicted in Doncaster Crown Court, prosecutors successfully argued that the message had a “menacing character”. The defendant’s appeal is being coordinated by solicitor Allen Green — better known as the blogger Jack of Kent.

Sudan: Journalist charged with terrorism

May 26th, 2010

A journalist working for a newspaper owned by the Islamist opposition politician, Hassan al-Turabi, has been charged with terrorism, espionage and destabilizing the constitutional system following his arrest on 15 May. Al-Turabi and a further three journalists have yet to be charged with any specific crime by the authorities.

Swaziland: Opposition leader charged with terrorism

May 24th, 2010

The leader of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), an opposition party, has been arrested and charged with terrorism offences following the funeral of party member Sipho Jele. Mario Masuku was arrested after giving a eulogy that mentioned PUDEMO by name, an offence under Swaziland’s Suppression of Terrorism Act. Jele’s funeral had previously been postponed following a police raid. His suspicious death in police custody after being arrested for wearing a T-shirt bearing an opposition logo sparked protests.

Mauritania: Veiled women banned from courtroom

May 19th, 2010

Security forces in Mauritania have banned veiled women from entering a courtroom where a terrorism case is being heard. Veiled women were also prevented from visiting the 20 defendants, who are accused of killing four French tourists in 2007 and attacking the Israeli embassy in 2008.