The political prisoner can be “pardoned” if “it is proved the damage he caused with the tax fraud has been repaid.”
Belarus: Political prisoner Ales Bialiatski could walk free
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CATEGORY: News
Three years after Arab Spring officials thwart digital dissent
The “social media revolutions” once had tyrants fearing their imminent demise. Now Twitter users from Marrakech to Manama know — call for political reforms, joke about a sensitive topic, or expose government abuse and you could end up in jail. Adrian Shahbaz reports
Future looks fraught in polarised Bangladesh
Dhaka’s rival political matriarchs must talk to each other for the good of their country, says Samira Shackle
South Koreans clash over history books
How children are taught about the birth of the nation is a contentious issue for many Koreans, writes Steven Borowiec
Ukraine: Press targeted and attacked by police
At least 26 journalists were injured during the clashes between the police and protesters in Kiev, Andrei Aliaksandrau writes
Cambodia: Human rights defender threatened for opposing hate speech
Cambodia has come a long way since the brutal Pol Pot regime, but the recent flood of hate-mail and death-threats sent to the president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights points to a society still dangerously divided over ethnic and racial issues. Tom Fawthrop reports
Twitter suspends Hamas military wing account
The social media ban on the Al Qassam Brigade could have a knock on effect for civil society in Gaza. Ruth Michaelson reports
Gloomy days for Gambian journalists
Barely three weeks after Gambia’s president Yahya Jammeh announced the lifting of the ban on two private media institutions — the Standard Newspaper and Terranga FM — the government arrested two journalists, Buya Jammeh reports
Ireland: Legal threats from Catholic commentators put drag artist Panti in a twist
A gay performer faces legal action after criticising “homophobic” journalists. But does this signal the weakness of traditional views on sexuality? Padraig Reidy reports
Turkey’s proposed internet law met with strong opposition
Controversy surrounds proposed amendments to a 2007 law, which would give the government wide ranging power over the internet