15 Feb 2012 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari has repented for his tweets deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammed, according to a family member. They said Kashgari, 23, “has affirmed to his family that he stands by his repentance, that he has made a mistake and regrets it.”
The newspaper columnist fled Saudi Arabia after tweeting a mock conversation between himself and the prophet Mohammed that sparked thousands of responses, including death threats. He was arrested and detained upon his arrival in Malaysia on 9 February, before being sent back to Saudi in controversial circumstancs. He may be accused of apostasy, which is a capital offence in his native Saudi Arabia.
15 Feb 2012 | Leveson Inquiry, Media Freedom, News and features, United Kingdom
Marta Cooper looks at what we’ve learned from the UK’s investigation into the press
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15 Feb 2012 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Iranian blogger Mehdi Khazali’s wife and daughter have allegedly been kidnapped by security forces and moved to an unknown location, it was reported yesterday. Khazali, a staunch critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iran’s state policies, was sentenced to 13 years and 10 months in prison and 10 years in exile on 7 February for “insulting the supreme leader”. The blogger has been on hunger strike for 38 days.
15 Feb 2012 | Asia and Pacific, Index Index, minipost
Parviz Safi, a cameramen for state-owned English-language TV station Press TV, was attacked with acid by three unidentified men on 6 February in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The journalist suffered second-degree burns to his face, but the substance missed his eyes and his life is not in danger. On 18 January last year, Razaq Mamoon, who worked for several media organisations and presented a programme on independent TV station Tolo TV, was also sprayed with acid. He was seriously injured and is still receiving medical treatment abroad.
