Court in Bahrain postpones the question of two Bahraini journalists
Bahrain, Politics, 7/2/2003

The lawyer of two Bahraini journalists accused of publishing information banned by the authorities said that the court postponed considering the case until September, at his request, in order to give more time to study the case.

The court considers a case against Mansour al-Jamri, the chief editor of al-Wasat paper and Hussein Khalaf, another journalist in the paper. The two men face charge of violating the banning of publishing any information related to security matter concerning "a terrorist cell." The two journalists were brought before the court for the first time on May 21st.

Following the trial session, lawyer Khalil Adib said "I have asked for considering the file of the basic case as to what information is banned from publication. The judge agreed for me to study the case and to be ready on September 20th."

In February this year, Bahrain arrested five Bahraini citizens on charge of planning terrorist acts in the kingdom, which is the main headquarters for the 5th American fleet, before the launch of the war which was led by the USA against Iraq in March. Lawyers expect a verdict to be issued in " the cell" case later this month.

Al-Jamri and Khalaf were accused of publishing information that three of the five convicted persons were released. This news is banned from publications.

In another case against journalists, the chief editor of Akhbar al-Khaleij ( Gulf news) Anwar Abdul Rahman and another journalist in the paper, two lawyers and three activists will be brought before the court on charge of provoking the judiciary. In 2002, the court issued a new law that it said will protect press freedom. The said law bans censoring any information if it does not violate the state security, and giving the right to jail the journalist for a period extends to 6 years in crimes which undermines the state security.

Previous Stories:
  Bahrain's crown prince, Shaloum discuss the situations of Bahraini Jews   (6/25/2003)
  Bahraini societies criticizes information minister Nabil al-Homer   (6/12/2003)
  Under charge of defaming a Bahraini activist lawyer was summoned to court   (6/5/2003)
  King of Bahrain pardons persons convicted of riot acts   (3/12/2003)

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