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Alerts - 1996

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Taiwan

Criminal libel suit filed against two journalists

Indonesia

Correction to date and details of arrest of "Suara Independen" worker in printing house raid

Iran

Anniversary of mysterious death of Iranian writer and translator; other suspicious deaths recalled; state tv broadcasts program denouncing writers; fear among writers in Iran after intimidation and detentions

The 53-year-old Iranian translator Ahmad Miralai was reportedly detained by security forces on 24 October 1995 and taken to a hotel for questioning. A few hours later, his body was found in Isfahan. A half empty bottle and cigarettes were said to be lying beside his body, which had injection marks in it (see IFEX alert of 30 November 1995).

Romania

Two "Ziua" journalists sentenced

Kenya

Koigi wa Wamwere co-prisoner falls ill; Koigi wa Wamwere's health reportedly deteriorating

Indonesia

Media worker arrested

Egypt

Latest edition of "Middle East Times" banned

Colombia

Attempt made on the life of journalist Manuel Vicente Pena Gomez

France

French authorities seize Algerian daily "Liberte"

Lebanon

RSF appeals to French President Jacques Chirac over changes to broadcasting system in Lebanon

Colombia

Journalist Norvey Diaz killed

Cameroon

Journalist Pius Njawe released; still faces charges

Lebanon

Three "Al-Diyar" journalists charged with defamation

Yemen

Writer and poet Mansur Rajih on death row for over thirteen years

Turkey

Trial begins of police officers accused of the murder of journalist Metin Goktepe

Honduras

Journalist Jorge Luis Monroy assaulted

Bosnia and Herzegovina

American journalist Michael Kirsch assaulted

Guinea-Bissau

Members of government threaten radio journalist

Russia

Journalist and political activist Valeriya Novodvorskaya charged for writings

Kenya

Seminars banned

Kenya

Koigi wa Wamwere's co-prisoner sick

China

Writer Liu Xiaobo served with three year sentence

Peru

Defamation lawsuit filed against two journalists

Romania

Authorities pressure Radio Contact journalist Oana Bratu

Cameroon

Two "Messager Popoli" journalists sentenced to prison

France

Report on reforms to legal procedures causes concern for press freedom

Mexico

CPJ urges reopening of case of 1988 murder of journalist Hector Felix Miranda, as colleague awarded CPJ International Press Freedom Award

Uzbekistan

Censorship concerns around OSCE seminar on media issues

Cuba

Cuba Press correspondent Reynaldo Soto Hernandez remains in prison

Mexico

Bill introduced in Parliament could limit the stay in Mexico of foreign correspondents

Sudan

Cameraman Osama Ghandi and technician Hassan Saleh being prosecuted in military court

Yemen

Attempted arrest of journalist Abdel Rahman Khobara

Pakistan

Users of electronic services face restrictions

Moldova

Authorities attempt to force journalist to reveal source

Croatia

Independent radio station refused long-term broadcasting licence

South Africa

Censors ban film

Russia

Reported kidnapping of editor Natalya Vasenina in Grozny; three Ukrainian journalists still missing; concern at use of journalists in prisoner of war exchanges

**For background to reports of missing Ukrainian journalists, see alert of 13 September 1996**

Israel

Army bars Israeli journalists from entering occupied territories

Jordan

Newspapers suspended

Vietnam

Writer Nguyen Xuan Tu sentenced to twelve months in prison

Kazakhstan

"Izvestia" journalist Vladimir Ardayev criticised by President; press accreditation may not be renewed

Palestine / Israel

Details on journalists wounded during clashes between Israelis and Palestinians

Bangladesh

Series of attacks against the media

Sudan

Concern over continued detention of journalist Babakr Othaman

Jordan

Journalist Usamah al-Rantisi arrested and charged with "inciting sedition"

Israel

Cameraman Issa Freij shot while covering clashes between Israelis and Palestinians

Croatia

"Feral Tribune" journalists Viktor Ivancic and Marinko Culic acquitted of defaming President Franjo Tudjman

Syria

Continued concern for detained journalist and human rights activist Nizar Nayouf

Paraguay

Intimidation of journalist Vladimir Jara

Egypt

Weekly "Middle East Times" banned from publishing article

Russia

Bashkort journalist threatened with prison for libelling President

Namibia

Community radio reports unfair treatment by licensing authority

Cuba

CubaPress director Raul Rivero threatened and briefly detained on agency's first anniversary; telephone service cut and Rivero under surveillance

Pakistan

Reporters and photographers beaten by police

China

Concerns at lack of medical provision for imprisoned writers

International

Organizations send letter to ASEAN nations opposing proposed Internet restrictions

Sri Lanka

"Lankadipa" photojournalist Sanjeewa Niroshana assaulted

Tonga

Journalists Kalafi Moala and Filokalafi 'Akau'ola sentenced to 30 days in jail

Democratic Republic of Congo

Publisher arrested, "Le Palmares" newspaper suspended

Paraguay

Harassment of journalist Vladimir Jara

Jordan

Editors Hilmi Asmar and Nasser Kammech arrested; journalist Fouad Hussein remains in detention

Belgium

Police raid and shut down Kurdish television station

Lebanon

Concern as broadcasters granted licences, but many rejected; most to be banned from broadcasting political news

Kenya

"The People" office petrol-bombed

Swaziland

Newspaper group says monarchy wants it closed

Mexico

"Contrapunto" director abducted

Chile

New trial opens against weekly's editor-in-chief

Peru

Minister of Defense makes threats against press freedom

Mexico

Concern over circumstances of arrest of "El Universal" owner

Sierra Leone

"Torchlight" newspaper banned temporarily

Chechnya (Russia)

Two Ukrainian journalists missing in Chechnya; a third reportedly missing

Peru

Minister of Justice corrects statements which threatened freedom of expression

Cameroon

Journalist Paddy Mbawa released from prison; faces seven libel suits

Israel

Journalist Uri Avneri assaulted

Sierra Leone

Editor released without charge; government authorities warn journalists

Sudan

Photographer Salah Omar arrested

Kenya

Fotoform printing house bombed

Kenya

Copies of play burned during religious demonstration

Botswana

Newspaper "Okavango Observer" charged; staff questioned

Bulgaria

Broadcasting bill threatens to limit press freedom

Colombia

Five journalists shot at while covering demonstration

Iran

Editor Reza Tehrani (m) to face charges of publishing false information

Belarus

Independent radio station suspended

South Africa

Subpoenas served to several journalists and media outlets

Rwanda

Journalist Appolos Hakizimana released

Poland

Journalist Jerzy Slavomir Mac reported missing

Colombia

Censorship measures taken against television news programs

Colombia

Several journalists harassed while covering demonstrations

On 29 August 1996, Luis Gonzalo Velez, a cameraman for the

Peru

Congressional Defence Commission President refutes idea of controls on the media; President Fujimori questions ethics of the independent media

Colombia

Journalist and cameraman briefly detained; death threats issued against them

Zimbabwe

Government reportedly orders blackout on media coverage of strike by civil servants

Sierra Leone

"Expo Times" editors Ibrahim Seaga Shaw and Gibril Kroma arrested; newspaper's offices searched

Kosovo (Serbia)

Three journalists with Albanian- language media in Kosovo harassed

Malawi

President Bakili Muluzi and his wife sue two newspapers for defamation

Belarus

Independent press being subjected to tax inspections by the Ministry of Finance

Malawi

MBC dismisses journalist, suspends editor and warns announcer reportedly over coverage of opposition party rally

Peru

Ayacucho bishop calls for controls on media

Egypt

Distribution ban on weekly

Cambodia

Journalist sentenced to one year in prison

Turkey

Writer Erol Anar charged with "separatist propaganda"

A trial against Turkish writer and vice secretary-general of the

Nigeria

Radio producer Okina Deesor detained

Cameroon

Journalist Vianney Ombe Ndzana assaulted; Pierre Essamba Essomba briefly detained; Gaston Ekawalla sentenced to prison

Lesotho

Cabinet orders withdrawal of advertising from "Mo- Afrika" over the newspaper's "negative stance" toward the government

Lesotho's government has issued a circular prohibiting all its

Jordan

Four staff members of the weekly "Al-Bilad" arrested; "Al-Aswaq" journalist Fouad Hussein arrested

Kenya

Minister threatens to lock out print media

Kenya

Minister criticises paper

Iran

Some religious writers freed in Iran while others remain in prison

Indonesia

Indonesian journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafrudin dies after attack

Zambia

"The Post" editors plead not guilty to charge of receiving classified information

Rwanda

Journalist Amiel Nkuliza released

Nigeria

"The News" editors Bayo Onanuga and Babafemi Ojudu arrested; Ojudu later released

Indonesia

Lecturer arrested for circulating information on riots via e-mail

Ghana

Judge bans media coverage of court case

Russia

Russian helicopters fire on CNN and WTN crews

Argentina

Doubts around alleged attack on journalist Santiago Pinetta

Cuba

Patria journalist Ramon Alberto Cruz Lima detained and harassed; concern at reports of arrest of Patria member Magali Pino and Bernardo Fuentes Camblor

Algeria

Radio journalist assassinated

Chechnya (Russia)

Journalists trapped in Chechnya hostel reportedly rescued; CPJ appeals to both sides in Chechen conflict for journalists' safety

Kenya

"Nation" photographer briefly detained while covering release of jailed members of advocacy group

Rwanda

Journalist Amiel Nkuriza detained; Isaie Niyoyita goes into hiding; Appolos Hakizimana and Joseph Ruyenzi still detained; whereabouts of Mauass Mugabo still not known

Peru

Bill introduced which would review cases involving those unjustly convicted of terrorism

Pakistan

Police pressure journalists; tax threatens autonomy of newspapers

Kazakhstan

Prosecutor withdraws suit against Kazakh edition of Russian daily "Komsomolskaya Pravda"

Argentina

Further information on attack on journalist Santiago Pinetta

Mexico

Radio announcer Jose Cardenas dismissed

Lesotho

Radio Lesotho journalist Mamonyane Matsa'ba demoted

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 April,14 March and 24 January 1996**

El Salvador

Right-wing group renews threats against the media

Cuba

Journalist Rodrigo Alonso kidnapped and robbed

Cuba

Journalist Juan Antonio Sanchez detained and robbed

Indonesia

Two journalists detained while covering rallies in Surabaya; clarification to attack on APTV reporter

Egypt

Writer Dr Nasr Hamed Abu-Zeid branded an apostate

Azerbaijan

Ban on issue of "Azadlig" among incidents of censorship; journalist Metin Yasar Oglu remains in detention

Azerbaijan

Government ministry closes "Avrazia"

Zimbabwe

Mob 'Ransacks' Galz Stand

Lesotho

Journalist found guilty, gets demoted

Cuba

WiPC marks third year since the sentencing of poet and journalist Cecilio Ismael Sambra Hubert

Rwanda

Journalist Appolos Hakizimana detained; current whereabouts unknown

Peru

New President of Congress Victor Joy Way expresses his support for a free press

Indonesia

Several journalists harassed and assaulted while attempting to cover government crackdown on political opposition

India

"Al-Safa" editor-in-chief Ashraf Shaban abducted

Azerbaijan

Journalist Metin Yasar Oglu arrested and detained

Cambodia

Government refuses to authorise the creation of new radio and television stations and newspapers

Kenya

Court rejects application for release on bail of writer and politician Koigi wa Wamwere

Serbia

Journalist Slobodan Rackovic detained

Yemen

"Al-Tagammu" resumes publication

Belarus

Presidential decree converts daily "Narodnaya Gazeta" into joint stock company

Georgia

Independent television station Rustavi-2 forced off the air

Jordan

"Akhbar al-Ousbouh" editor-in-chief Tawfik Kiwane remanded in custody

Kenya

Bail hearing for detained writer and politician Koigi wa Wamwere delayed

Mauritania

Authorities prevent distribution of "Mauritanie- Nouvelles" and "La Tortue"

Mexico

Belgian journalist Thierry Jonard and recording technician Juan Ozuna assaulted

Sierra Leone

"The Point" editor Edison Yongai released on bail; sedition trial set for August

Côte d'Ivoire

"La Voie" journalists Abou Drahamane Sangare, Emmanuel Kore and Freedom Neruda still detained

Jordan

Editor Nasser Kammech detained

Russia

CPJ receives reply to appeals on behalf of detained journalist Valery Yerofeyev; continued concerns

Sierra Leone

"The Point" editor Edison Yongai charged with sedition

Israel

Two Palestinian journalists badly beaten

Romania

Jail sentences of two journalists postponed

Tonga

Tongan authorities refuse entry to Agence France Presse reporter

Burma

ARTICLE 19 expresses concern over possible inclusion of Myanmar in Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Sierra Leone

"The Point" editor Edison Yongai arrested and detained without charge

Zambia

Police raid home of "The Post" reporter Brian Malama; "The Post" reporter Samson Mujuda also subject to harassment

Peru

Case files of imprisoned journalist Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza still waiting to be transferred to the State Prosecutor

Israel

Court orders that Lebanese journalist Ali Diya remain in detention

Kenya

Koigi wa Wamwere's health deteriorating; decision due on application for release on bail pending appeal

Lesotho

Parliament approves motion for a press council

Russia

Soldier who shot Russian journalist given suspended sentence

Rwanda

"Kinyamateka" treasurer detained

Yemen

Journalist Arafat Mudabish assaulted; current whereabouts unknown

Niger

Radio Anfani remains closed, journalist detained for several hours; Radio R&M shut down for two hours; intimidation of foreign correspondents

Sudan

Authorities close publisher

Turkey

RSF in Istanbul for opening of Metin Goktepe trial

Algeria

Hundreds lend support to calls for release of "La Tribune" cartoonist; newspapers hold day-long strike

Cuba

Further details on expulsion of RSF representative; APIC journalist Nestor Baguer and BPIC's Mercedes Moreno detained; Joaquin Torres of Havana Press held for two days

Ethiopia

Journalist detained, released on bond

Niger

Military occupies private radio station

South Korea

Three on trial for editing and publishing a youth newsletter

Turkey

Police beat photographers and reporters covering demonstration

Algeria

Journalists and editors call newspaper strike

Romania

"Telegraf" editor and reporter convicted for libel

Israel

Lebanese journalist Ali Diya remains in detention

Namibia

Angry fans attack television crew, damage TV cameras

Algeria

"La Tribune" cartoonist still detained; bail denied

Nigeria

Middle East News Agency correspondent detained for one week; ordered to leave

Zambia

National broadcaster comes under bomb threat

Russia

Trial of Russian journalist Valery Yerofeyev resumes on fabricated charges

Ukraine

Attacks against journalists in Simferopol and Sevastopol; reported threats to press freedom in the Crimea; concern at unsolved cases

**Includes new cases. For background to previously-

Azerbaijan

Turkish journalist released

Source: Express Chronicle, Moscow

India

Indian-backed militia in Kashmir abducts and detains 19 journalists for over seven hours

Mexico

Armed assailants raid journalist's (f) home; threaten her

Cambodia

Editor Chan Rotana released after pardon

Cyprus

Editorial writer Kutlu Adali killed

Mexico

Government raises import duties on newsprint

Mexico

Journalist kidnapped and beaten

El Salvador

Group continues to make threats against journalists and media outlets

Yemen

Authorities place obstacles on printing of "Al Tajamoo"

Algeria

"La Tribune" cartoonist arrested; restrictions placed on managing director and managing editor (f) ; paper's offices sealed

Honduras

WiPC Anniversary Action calls on authorities to pursue investigation into 1981 disappearance of journalist Tomas Nativi Galvez

Hong Kong (China)

Report looks at "Freedom of Expression in Hong Kong: China's Challenge"

China

Several foreign journalists detained and interrogated by police

Iran

Director of weekly "Payam-e-Daneshjoue" banned from working at any publication for five years

Senegal

Sud Communication fined one million dollars and five media workers sentenced to jail for public defamation

Ethiopia

Newspaper distributor Bekele Dissassa released from prison

Guinea

Journalist Serge Daniel expelled

Kenya

Journalists assaulted while investigating incident at British High Commission

Croatia

Authorities shut down news program "Slikom na Sliku"

El Salvador

Political group issues threats to journalists and media outlets

Nigeria

Writer Mohammed Sule released

**Updates IFEX alert dated 6 October 1995**

Bolivia

Journalist sentenced to prison

Cuba

BPIC's Norma Brito and Lazaro Lazo briefly detained; Lazo questioned

Swaziland

Prime Minister visits broadcasters; reportedly censors news

Brazil

Court to decide on fate of publication ban imposed on the daily "Zero Hora"

Pakistan

"Nawai Banker" editor Zafar Iqbal killed; several journalists assaulted during demonstration; offices of daily "Mashriq" ransacked

Qatar

Daily "As Sharq" suspended

Russia

Decree forbids making insulting or slanderous remarks against President of Tartarstan

Ukraine

Several journalists subject to campaign of harassment in Ukrainian newspapers

Ireland

Journalist Veronica Guerin killed

Malawi

President Bakili Muluzi threatens to use sedition laws against opposition politicians who insult him

Belarus

Wife of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Minsk correspondent assaulted; husband warned

Ethiopia

Update on status of Ethiopian journalists

The Gambia

Journalist Bruce Asemota flees The Gambia after continued harassment

South Korea

Documentary production company employee arrested; videotapes seized

Nigeria

Journalist Nosa Igiebor released

Panama

Concern over government accusations against media

Uruguay

Three pirate radio stations raided; stations urge revision of press and communications legislation

Zambia

Journalists pressured to reveal sources

Burundi

Reuter correspondent briefly detained and questioned; "l'Eclaireur" journalist remains in preventive custody

Cuba

Cuban authorities interrogate and deport CPJ staffer

Dominican Republic

Journalist Juan Bolivar Diaz sentenced to six months in prison

Egypt

Authorities refuse to grant visas to three Sudanese journalists

The Gambia

"The Point" journalist Ansumano Badjie (m) in hiding

Israel

Journalist Ali Diya remains in detention; held in solitary confinement

Kenya

Editor and Member of Parliament Njehu Gatabaki (m) to appear in court on sedition charges

Nigeria

Journalist Alphonsus Agborh detained

Nicaragua

Threats against politician's radio station

Peru

Three journalists charged with defamation

Peru

Journalist Teobaldo Melendez Fachin assaulted

Israel

Authorities arrest Lebanese journalist Ali Diya

Russia

Writer and environmentalist Alexander Nikitin detained on charges of treason for authoring report on nuclear hazards

Russia

Trial of journalist Valery Yerofeyev begins

China

Author remains under "house arrest" after release from prison

Malaysia

Continued concern over trial of human rights worker Irene Fernandez

Belarus

Biweekly newspaper "Belorousskaya Delovaya Gazeta" suspended for revealing state secrets

Croatia

Trial of "Feral Tribune" journalists postponed until September

Ethiopia

Journalist Sintayehu Abate sentenced to one year in prison

Indonesia

Supreme Court upholds government decision to ban "Tempo"

Côte d'Ivoire

Appeal court confirms jail sentences of three journalists

Mexico

Television producer and journalist Jorge Javier Elorriaga freed

Serbia

Independent newspaper "Novi Pancevac"

Bangladesh

Office of daily "Janakantha" attacked; several staff of newspaper convicted of contempt

Morocco

Artist Ahmed Sanoussi assaulted by police

Nigeria

"Vanguard" journalist George Onah imprisoned

Palestine

Human rights activist Eyad Sarraj ordered detained for 15 more days

Peru

Radio Oriental reporter Miguel Perez Julca freed

Slovenia

Journalist Bernard Nezmah sentenced to one month in prison for comments made against Slovene authorities

Brazil

Legal proceedings initiated against commentator Arnaldo Jabor; proposed media legislation could restrict press freedom

Croatia

Trial of "Feral Tribune" journalists Viktor Ivancic and Marinko Culic to begin on 14 June

Egypt

Upper house of Egyptian parliament passes new press bill

Palestine

Human rights activist Eyad Sarraj re-arrested

Turkey

Individuals detained while sending Justice Minister telegram on prison conditions and reform

Yemen

Concern for journalists and sources in Mukalla and Hadramout

Zimbabwe

Journalists tell of death threats and plot to kill critical media workers

Albania

Journalist Erion Brace assaulted

Azerbaijan

Imprisoned Turkish journalist Isa Yasar Tezel in poor health

China

Veteran pro-democracy activist and writer Wang Xizhe arrested

Indonesia

Indonesian army pressures media in its efforts to unseat an opposition leader

Nigeria

Appeal to Nigerian leader General Sani Abacha on 12 June to mark anniversary of annulled elections

Peru

Radio Oriental reporter Miguel Perez Julca arrested

Zimbabwe

Government assumes control of Zimbabwe's largest media group

Zambia

Bomb explodes at "Times of Zambia" office; death threats issued against three of the newspaper's editors

Cuba

CPJ sends letter of protest to Mexican telecommunications company regarding its role in the Cuban government's campaign of harassment against independent Cuban journalists

Cuba

Journalist Roxana Valdivia arrives in the United States after being forced to emigrate

The Gambia

Journalist Alieu Badara Sowe flees The Gambia after being threatened and attacked

Peru

Delegation from RSF and IPYS meet with President Alberto Fujimori and others to discuss case of Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza

Turkey

Further harassment of leftist newspapers "Aydinlik" and "Evrensel"

Guinea

Journalist Thierno Sadou Diallo detained

Sudan

Whereabouts of five arrested Sudanese television journalists remain unknown

Cuba

Police threaten Joaquin Torres Alvarez, of the independent news agency Havana Press

Peru

Radio Miraflores station owner free on bail in ongoing tax evasion case

Peru

Panamericana Television correspondent harassed by authorities

Kazakhstan

Russian daily "Komsomolskaya pravda" charged with violating Kazakh Constitution

Peru

Investigation concludes that the head of Lima police to blame for assault of journalists covering protest by striking municipal employees

Turkey

Writer and journalist Dr Haluk Gerger sentenced to prison; former editor-in-chief of "Evrensel" fined

Serbia

Authorities assume control of independent Radio Smederevo

Pakistan

Police assault two photographers covering religious procession

Cuba

Police detain journalist Lazaro Lazo

Egypt

Editor Magdi Hussein sentenced on appeal to one year in prison

Costa Rica

Concerns for free expression, as new Executive decree outlines new state secrets

Croatia

CPJ appeals to author of Criminal Libel Law

**For background to recent cases, see IFEX alerts

Indonesia

Indonesian government gives stern warning to newspaper

Uruguay

Two "La Republica" journalists arrested

Algeria

Court suspends satirical weekly "Mesmar"

Argentina

FM Latinoamericana community radio station's equipment stolen

Croatia

Croatian President's daughter files libel suit against "Feral Tribune"

Egypt

Editor Magdi Hussein released; CPJ appeals for postponement of appeal hearing until Law 93 revised

Egypt

Continued concern at press bill due to come before parliament on 25 May

Burma

ARTICLE 19 calls on UN Security Council to hold emergency session over wave of arrests, threats and curbs on media's access

Palestine

Human rights activist Eyad Serraj thought to have been arrested for comments to paper

Slovakia

Concern at statements directed against media

Turkey

Police detain journalist Leena Reikko, cameraman and two individuals she was interviewing; confiscate videotape

Democratic Republic of Congo

French journalist arrested; Zaire imposes ban on journalists crossing from Rwanda

Liberia

Correspondent Nyenati Allison flees Liberia after threats from fighting factions

Mexico

Journalist Rodolfo F. Pena target of death threat

Peru

Radio Miraflores owner Ricardo Palma Michelsen arrested; court orders seizure of his personal property, including Radio Miraflores

Algeria

Managing director of the satirical weekly "El-Kalaa" detained; editor-in-chief released on bail

India

Journalist and human rights activist Parag Kumar Das murdered

Turkey

"Evrensel" journalist Irsan Kurt arrested

Sudan

Authorities confiscate copies of the privately-owned daily "Al-Rai Al-Akhar"

Algeria

Case against "El Watan" director Omar Belhouchet dropped; allowed to travel to U.S.

Algeria

Satirical weekly "Mesmar" suspended; three staff released after 48 hours; fourth arrested

Argentina

Proposed anti-corruption legislation could restrict press freedom

Armenia

"Azg" newspaper resumes publication

Guatemala

Bomb attack against journalist Jose Ruben Zamora

Iran

Weekly "Payam-e-Daneshjoue" banned

Malawi

President Bakili Muluzi warns media about "inaccurate reporting"

Romania

Government official charges that the British Broadcasting Corporation is favouring the opposition in its campaign coverage

Cambodia

Thun Bun Ly, editor of the Cambodian newspaper "Odom K'tek Khmer", fatally shot

China

Journalist Leung Tin-wai violently attacked

Israel

Two Palestinian journalists arrested

Peru

Several journalists assaulted by police

Tunisia

Authorities refuse to renew passport of journalist Salah Bechir

Algeria

Three journalists with satirical weekly "Mesmar" arrested; "Mesmar" ordered shut down

Indonesia

Indonesian government bans book published by freedom of expression institute

Sudan

Four journalists with Sudanese Television arrested

Azerbaijan

Journalist Eltchine Husseinbeili detained

Bahrain

Journalist Mahdi Rabea receives six-month sentence for distributing "false information"; poet Ahmad al-Shamlan acquitted

Palestine

Photographer Fayez Nourredin brutally assaulted

Russia

Journalist Viktor Mikhailov killed

Russia

Trial begins against soldier who killed journalist Natalya Alyakina

Romania

BBC reporter Liviu Man receives threatening telephone calls

Russia

Journalist Nina Yefimova killed

Ukraine

Dead body of journalist Igor Grouchetsky found

Ukraine

Journalist Vladimir Sobolevskiy dismissed for alleged misbehaviour during interview

Cameroon

Managing director of weekly "Generation" convicted of slander; "Generation" ordered shut down for six months

Egypt

Opposition editor Magdi Hussein arrested for refusing to pay fine

Israel

Palestinian journalists prevented from covering forthcoming Israeli elections

Namibia

National Council scraps two draft clauses of the Privileges and Immunities Bill

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 26 and 23 April 1996**

Niger

Managing director of independent weekly "Tribune du peuple" arrested; copies of "Tribune du peuple" seized

Turkey

Four journalists from "Alinteri" arrested

Zambia

Judge dismisses an appeal by lawyers from "The Post" asking that the President of Zambia not be treated differently from other citizens before the law

Algeria

Daily "El Watan" forced to suspend publication

Croatia

Two "Feral Tribune" journalists face criminal charges; "Panorama" newspaper closed down; "Novi List" ordered to pay fine

Cuba

Cuban authorities arrest father of Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba founder Yndamiro Restano Diaz

The Gambia

Reporters Alieu Badara Sowe and Bruce Asemota arrested and held incommunicado; police order them to reveal sources

Mexico

Journalist Jorge Javier Elorriaga sentenced to thirteen years in prison

Russia

Update on murder of Nadezdha Chaikova

Liberia

Radio station and transmitter torched

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Journalists Gregor Mayer and Zoltan Nemeth harassed by Bosnian Serb authorities

Burundi

Journalist Richard Niyongere threatened with arrest

Zambia

"The Post" editor-in-chief Fred M'membe to appeal "contempt of parliament" ruling

Armenia

Ownership of independent newspaper "Azg" transferred to pro-government political party

Cuba

Police raid office of Bureau of Independent Press in Cuba

Liberia

Widespread looting and arson attacks target media outlets and printing press

Peru

Journalist Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza begins fourth year in detention

South Africa

South African Broadcasting Corporation bans three songs for alleged "bad taste"

Belarus

Several journalists beaten and detained while covering demonstration

Libya

Concern over "disappearance" of translator Abdelrahman Ali Gaily

Brazil

Proposals to regulate community radio stations meets with criticism on both sides of issue

Cuba

Journalist Olance Nogueras freed

Maldives

Journalist Mohamed Nasheed sentenced to two years in prison for sedition and defamation

Namibia

Prime Minister says that he will scrap clauses of draft legislation that infringe on press freedom if circumstances are right

Russia

Turkish journalists Ali Tekin and Telip Ozcelik reportedly sentenced to three years in prison

Cuba

Journalist Olance Nogueras arrested

Egypt

Distribution of weekly "Al-Destour" banned

Romania

Financial newspaper threatened with legal action

Turkey

Weekly "Atilim" ordered shut down for one month

Brazil

Three television journalists and staff arrested

Croatia

"Novi List" ordered to pay backdated taxes; editor-in- chief of "Nacional" charged with publishing misleading information

Ghana

"The Free Press" publisher and editor arrested

Liberia

Journalist Nyenati Allison targeted; widespread looting targets media outlets; local coverage of conflict nonexistent

Namibia

Draft legislation could punish reporting of "false information"; call for powers to ban reporters who report on classified information

Sri Lanka

Government suspends broadcasting licences of two radio stations; reporting of military news to be censored by government

Turkey

Daily "Evrensel" ordered shut down for ten days

Chile

Legislation invoked to prevent Chilean media from reporting on judicial investigation of murdered senator

The Gambia

Journalist Chikeluba Kenechuku deported to Senegal

China

Editors Chen Yanbin and Zhang Yafei enter their sixth year of imprisonment

Guatemala

Journalist Juan Jose Yantuche dies as a result of his injuries

Mexico

Harassment of community radio station

Nicaragua

Ruling to be handed down by court in regard to fired journalists from "Barricada"

Kosovo (Serbia)

"Koha" newspaper allowed to resume publishing

Burma

Additional prison sentences imposed on journalists Win Tin and Myo Myint Nyein

India

Kashmiri editor found dead three weeks after abduction

Peru

Court files of Jesus Alfonso Castiglione Mendoza requested by key legal authorities; cases of two individuals originally convicted with Castiglione to be tried again

Zambia

United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) concludes that contempt charges against "The Post" editors violate International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Botswana

Journalist Professor Malema under investigation

Guatemala

Journalist Erwin San Juan attacked

Kyrgyzstan

Pressure placed on staff of two state-run newspapers

Kosovo (Serbia)

"Koha" newspaper suspended

Slovakia

Amendments to Penal Code could threaten freedom of expression

Cuba

Journalist Rafael Solano freed

Egypt

Two journalists sentenced to six months in prison

Lesotho

Case of Mamonyane Matsa'ba postponed indefinitely

Albania

Albanian journalists subject to harassment and assaults

South Africa

Telecommunications cabinet minister fired

Turkey

Newspaper "Evrensel" ordered shut down; paper's editor sentenced to two years in prison

Trinidad and Tobago

Series of developments regarding harassment of "Trinidad Guardian"

Nigeria

Newspaper vendor arrested

Peru

Newspaper "Gestion" subject to harassment by government agency

Croatia

Croatian Parliament adopts amendments to Penal Code which will severely curtail press freedom

Ethiopia

Six journalists and media workers arrested at printing press

Haiti

Two journalists briefly detained; two others threatened by police

Indonesia

Supreme Court upholds sentences of two journalists and media worker

Namibia

Namibian Broadcasting Corporation refuses to release video footage

Peru

Editor-in-chief of "La Republica" threatened

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Journalist Srecko Latal detained

Rwanda

Journalist Joseph Ruyenzi arrested; whereabouts unknown of journalist Manasse Mugabo

Zambia

United Nations Human Rights Committee members criticize indefinite imprisonment of editors

China

PEN receives reply to appeal on assault of journalist Leung Tin-wai

Trinidad and Tobago

Staff of "Trinidad Guardian" harassed