Appeals court suspends prison sentences for two journalists sued by Qathafi
Algeria, Politics, 4/9/2007

Reporters Without Borders spoke of an Algiers appeals court's decision last Wednesday to give two journalists suspended sentences of six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 dinars (approx. 530 euros) instead of the 12-month jail terms and fine of 500,000 dinars (approx. 5,300 euros) requested by the prosecutor. The appeal court also rejected the prosecutor's request for the newspaper to be suspended for a year due to lawsuit relating to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi.

The ruling effectively concludes the libel suit brought in October 2006 against Ali Fodil, the editor of the Arabic-language daily "Ech-Chourouk," and Naïla Berrahal, one of his journalists, by Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi over reports published two months earlier which, it was alleged, "attacked his person, the Libyan state and the security of the Algerian and Libyan states."

Previous Stories:
  Dubious charges used to silence outspoken human rights lawyers   (2/21/2007)
  Algerian Journalists in prison for speaking of corruption   (12/30/2006)
  President pardons all journalists convicted of defamation or insulting state institutions   (7/7/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search