A Cairo court today dismissed a three-month jail sentence handed down to popular comic actor Adel Iman, Al Ahram reports. Imam had faced jail after a case was brought against him for "defaming Islam". He had been accused by Islamist lawyer Asran...
CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa

Time to stop doing business with Bahrain
Bahrainis still suffer with human rights abuse, torture and political imprisonment, says
Sara Yasin. Despite its supporters’ “astonishment”, it’s no wonder that the world was “hostile” to its Grand Prix
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas under fire for web censorship
UPDATE 27 April: Communications Minister Mashhour Abu Daka resigned yesterday, citing personal reasons. Abu Daka reportedly accused al-Mughni of "gagging free expression" shortly before his resignation. The Palestinian Authority has reportedly...
UAE: Rapper jailed over scandalous video
A rapper has been sentenced to a minimum of three months in prison after releasing a violent music video in the UAE. The singer, known as Dangour, was arrested in June. In the footage, Dangour raps about drug abuse and his hatred of white people. A...
X Marks the spot: Jordanian government seeks internet controls through porn
Jordanian internet users have reacted angrily to government encroachment on the freedom of the internet. Flying in the face of the reputation of Jordan as a Middle East haven for technology and relative liberalism, the Ministry of Information and...

Bahrain: Journalists deported
Index condemns the arrest and deportation of foreign journalists covering demonstrations against the widely-criticised Bahrain Grand Prix this past week
Thousands gather in Tahrir Square to protest military rule
Tens of thousands of protesters returned to Cairo's Tahrir Square in a massive demonstration Friday demanding that the ruling military generals immediately hand over power to a civilian government. The protesters also called for former regime...
Bahrain: Blood on the track
International outrage over failed reforms and violent protests will not stop the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend – Index examines the controversial sporting fixture.
Egypt: 10 presidential candidates disqualified
Ten of the nominees running for president in Egypt have been disqualified due to "legal irregularities". Muslim Brotherhood candidate Khairat el-Shater and former Vice President Omar Suleiman are among those who have been barred from the election....
Iranian singer Arya Aramnejad sentenced to a year in jail
A popular Iranian singer has been sentenced to a year in prison after releasing pro-opposition songs online. During the protests that occurred in the wake of the disputed 2009 presidential elections, Arya Aramnejad angered officials by uploading...