14 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost
Anti-India and pro-Islam demonstrations in the Indian-adminstrated region of Kashmir, Srinagar escalated yesterday as 18 people died, many under police firing. Demonstrators had reportedly set fire to a Christian missionary school and government and police buildings as a reaction to recent reports that copies of the Qu’ran had been damaged in New York.
Journalists have been restricted from covering the news in Srinagar despite passes issued by the government. Sheikh Imran, a local reporter said troops beat him for being out past the curfew, even though he had a pass.
Kashmir has witnessed deadly clashes in the last three months, after a 17-year old boy died from a tear gas shell hurled by the police.
14 Sep 2010 | Uncategorized
Mr Justice Tugendhat has just been appointed as Judge in Charge of the Queen’s Bench Jury and Non-Jury Lists, replacing the much maligned Mr Justice Eady. Tugendhat is generally viewed as more friendly to the media. While it’s unlikely that there’ll be radical change (after all, we’re still stuck with English libel law) Tugs (as he’s affectionately known) is considered to have a more thoughtful and balanced approach. He also studied in the States, which means that he’s likely to bring a more global perspective — which is very much needed.
Lots more over at Inforrm
14 Sep 2010 | Uncategorized
The writer and journalist Javad Mahzadeh was granted prison leave last week. He was arrested for an unknown reason on 21 October 2009 and spent most of his time in detention in Evin Prison’s Block 350. He was released after 11 months in detention. He was sentenced to four years by the court of first instance and the sentence was upheld by the appeals court. Mahzadeh had asked the prison authorities for prison leave on numerous occasions, but his requests had been rejected. He is now out on prison leave on payment of bail of 400m tomans [400,000 dollars].
Index published an extract from Javad Mahzadeh’s acclaimed novel Take Away My Laughter earlier this year. In a moving introduction, the writer Azar Mahloujian commented: “Writers have never been secure in Iran. Censorship, bans on publishing, arrest and murder await those whose words penetrate the surface, disclosing what is false and pointing out the lack of political and civil liberties in the country.”
13 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost
The editor of opposition newspaper Listok has been charged with defamation after calling the administration of the Altai republic a “nest of vipers”. He also referred to the governor of Altai as an “alcoholic”. If convicted, Sergei Mikhailov will face up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $14,000. Supporters of the journalist say the case is politically motivated, particularly since Mikhailov was elected to Altai’s legislature in March.
