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PEN's Rapid Action Network (RAN) alerts its members to developments affecting the welfare of writers and journalists around the world. Members are encouraged to respond instantly by writing appeals and passing information on to their contacts.
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Rapid Action Alert Archive
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Rapid Action Alerts: BY REGION
Rapid Action Alerts: BY DATE
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EGYPT 2/1/12: Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad released
PEN welcomes the release of blogger and activist Maikal Nabil Sanad, on January 24, 2012, days after an amnesty was announced by the authorities.
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CHINA 2/1/12: Dissident writer sentenced to 10 years for subversion
PEN condemns the 10-year prison sentence handed down on January 18, 2012, to dissident writer Li Tie, for allegedly “subversive” writings.
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ETHIOPIA 1/27/12: Two journalists given 14 years in prison; one sentenced to life imprisonment
PEN is outraged at the draconian sentences handed down to Ethiopian journalists Reeyot Alemu, Woubshet Taye and Elias Kifle.
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UZBEKISTAN 1/25/12: Editor Muhammed Bekjanov to serve an additional five years in prison
PEN is shocked by news that Uzbek editor, Muhammed Bekjanov, held since 1999 on charges widely believed to have been fabricated and whose sentence was about to expire in the coming days, has been served with an additional five-year sentence.
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SRI LANKA 1/25/12: Two-year annivesary of the disappearance of Prageeth Ekanaliyagoda
Two years ago, on January 24, 2010, Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda was abducted and has not been heard from since.
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CHINA 1/25/12: Dissident poet Zhu Yufu charged with subversion for a poem
PEN condemns the imprisonment of the writer Zhu Yufu, who has been charged with “subversion” for a poem posted online.
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CAMEROON 1/23/12: Writer detained; faces up to 50 years in prison
PEN protests the extended detention and ill-treatment of the writer and political activist Enoh Meyomesse by the Cameroonian authorities.
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VIETNAM 1/19/12: Internet writer released
PEN welcomes the release of French-Vietnamese university teacher and Internet writer Pham Minh Hoang on January 13, 2012.
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MYANMAR 1/17/12: Two more writers released in large-scale amnesty
PEN is delighted to learn that two more writers have been released on January 13, 2012, as part of a presidential amnesty.
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MYANMAR 1/13/12: Musician Win Maw and blogger Nay Phone Latt included in large-scale amnesty
PEN welcomes the release of leading musician Win Maw and prominent blogger Nay Phone Latt, who are among 651 prisoners to be freed as part of a presidential amnesty announced on January 13, 2012.
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MEXICO 1/10/12: Reporter shot to death in Nuevo León
PEN is appalled by the killing of Raúl Régulo Garza Quirino, reporter for the weekly newspaper La Ultima Palabra.
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CHINA 1/6/12: Another writer receives a lengthy prison term
PEN is dismayed at the conviction of another Chinese writer on subversion charges.
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ETHIOPIA 1/3/12: Swedish journalists sentenced to 11 years in prison
PEN condemns the draconian punishment handed down to Swedish journalists Johann Persson and Martin Schibbye by an Ethiopian judge on December 26, 2011.
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CHINA 12/23/11: Writer Chen Wei sentenced to nine years in prison
PEN condemns the imprisonment of Chen Wei, an honorary member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center and winner of the Liu Xiaobo Courage to Write award.
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TURKEY 12/22/11: Year closes with 30 writers in prison, over 70 on trial and 25 new arrests
PEN is deeply concerned that as this year closes, 30 writers are held in Turkish prisons, more than 70 others are on trial, and 25 more were arrested in recent days.
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ETHIOPIA 12/21/11: Two Swedish journalists found guilty of “supporting terrorism”
PEN is deeply concerned by the news that the Swedish journalists Johann Persson and Martin Schibbye have been found guilty of “supporting terrorism” by an Ethiopian court.
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BAHRAIN 12/21/11: Blogger and activist Zainab al-Khawaja released on bail
PEN welcomes the release on bail of blogger and activist Zainab al-Khawaja on December 20, 2011.
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RUSSIA 12/19/11: Leading journalist Khadzhimurad Kamalov assassinated
PEN is alarmed at the killing of prominent journalist and newspaper founder Khadzhimurad Kamalov on December 15, 2011, in Dagestan.
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BAHRAIN 12/16/11: Blogger and activist Zainab Al-Khawaja arrested; fears of ill-treatment
PEN protests the detention of blogger and activist Zainab Al-Khawaja, who was arrested on December 15, 2011, for her participation in a peaceful protest.
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CHINA 12/6/11: PEN honors imprisoned writers on International Human Rights Day (December 10)
December 10, 2011 (International Human Rights Day), marks the first anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to our colleague Liu Xiaobo, former president of the Independent Chinese PEN Center.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) 12/2/11: Internet writers released
PEN welcomes the release of Internet writers Ahmed Mansoor and Nasser Bin Gheith on November 28, 2011, under a presidential pardon.
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VIETNAM 12/2/11: Internet writer's sentence reduced
PEN International welcomes the decision by an appeals court to reduce the sentence of university teacher and Internet writer Pham Minh Hoang.
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UZBEKISTAN 11/30/11: Journalist Dzamshid Karimov released from detention in psychiatric hospital
PEN welcomes the news that dissident journalist Dzhamshid Karimov was reportedly released on November 6, 2011, following five years’ detention in a psychiatric facility.
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BELARUS 11/25/11: Writer sentenced to imprisonment on “politically motivated" charges
On November 24, 2011, human rights activist, writer, and Belarus PEN member Ales Byalyatski was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment on charges of tax evasion.
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AZERBAIJAN 11/24/11: Writer Rafiq Tagi dies in hospital following violent attack
PEN is shocked to learn of the death of Rafiq Tagi, an Azerbaijani writer and long standing critic of political Islam.
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AZERBAIJAN 11/22/11: Writer Rafiq Tagi receives multiple stab wounds in violent attack
On November 19, 2011, writer and journalist Rafiq Tagi received multiple stab wounds in a violent attack carried out by two unidentified assailants as he was returning home from work in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.
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EGYPT 11/21/11: Retrial of blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad repeatedly postponed; concerns for health
PEN reiterates its calls for the immediate and unconditional release of blogger and activist Maikal Nabil Sanad, who remains detained pending a retrial for his critical online comments.
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MEXICO 11/17/11: Another newspaper office attacked by armed gang
PEN International is alarmed by the recent armed assault on the offices of the Mexican daily newspaper, El Siglo de Torreón.
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RUSSIA 11/16/11: PEN statement on the murder of Chechen anti-separatist poet Ruslan Akhtakhanov
On November 15, 2011, Ruslan Akhtakhanov, a prominent Chechen poet, was shot dead in Moscow in what the authorities have claimed appears to be a contract killing.
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MEXICO 11/15/11: Another blogger murdered and decapitated by the cartels
PEN is horrified by the death of yet another blogger, who was murdered and decapitated by a Mexican drugs gang for writing about their crimes.
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MEXICO 11/8/11: Newspaper offices attacked and burned by armed gang
PEN is alarmed by the recent attack on the newspaper offices of El Buen Tono, the Mexican daily newspaper based in Cordoba, Veracruz state.
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TURKEY 11/9/11: Ragip Zarakolu moved to high security prison
Publisher Ragip Zarakolu was reportedly moved to a high security “F-Type” prison on November 4, 2011.
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TURKEY 11/3/11: Ragip Zarakolu releases public letter from prison
Writer, academic and publisher Ragip Zarakolu released an open letter from prison on November 2, 2011 through his lawyer.
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TURKEY 11/1/11: Writer and academic Ragip Zarakolu and Professor Büşra Ersanlı charged
PEN International has learned that writer, academic, and publisher Ragip Zarakolu has been formally charged alongside Professor Büşra Ersanlı under the Anti-Terror Law today.
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TURKEY 10/31/11: Writer and academic Ragip Zarakolu arrested with Professor Büşra Ersanlı
The arrest this weekend of publisher Ragip Zarakolu, one of Turkey’s most prominent freedom of expression and minority rights activists and a leading Member of PEN Turkey, is greeted with alarm and concern by PEN.
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TURKEY 10/27/11: Writer and academic Deniz Zarakolu arrested
PEN International is highly concerned about reports that writer, academic, and translator Deniz Zarakolu was arrested on October 7, 2011, under anti-terror legislation. Although no charges have been formally declared, it is believed that he is being held as the result of his peaceful exercise of his right to free expression.
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IRAN 10/21/11: Sentence against prominent human rights lawyer, journalist and writer reduced
The sentence against prominent writer, journalist, and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been reduced to six years on appeal.
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IRAN 10/21/11: Journalist, poet, and activist Faranak Farid released on bail
PEN welcomes the release on bail of journalist, poet and activist Faranak Farid on October 17, 2011, after 42 days in prison for her peaceful activism and critical writings.
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TAJIKISTAN 10/18/11: BBC journalist found guilty, released under amnesty law
Urinboy Usmonov, journalist with the British Broadcasting Service’s Central Asian Service, has been found guilty of spreading Islamic propaganda through his reporting on the banned extremist group Hizb-ut-Tahir.
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MYANMAR 10/12/11: Comedian and poet Zargana released
PEN welcomes the release of leading comedian and poet Zargana as part of a widespread general amnesty.
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TURKEY 10/10/11: Publishers on trial
Two books by American authors are currently on trial in Turkey on obscenity charges which, if the law is strictly applied, could lead to imprisonment for their publishers and translators.
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ETHIOPIA 9/27/11: Two more journalists arrested under anti-terrorism legislation; fears of torture
PEN protests the arrest and detention of two more journalists under Ethiopia’s sweeping anti-terrorist legislation.
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MEXICO 9/27/11: One journalist murdered, another missing
PEN protests in the strongest possible terms the murder of Primera Hora Editor María Elizabeth Macías Castro and the disappearance of El Mañanero reporter Gabriel Manuel Fonseca Hernández, both of which occurred within a few days of each other.
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BAHRAIN 9/29/11: Sentences upheld against jailed human rights defenders, writers, and bloggers
PEN reiterates its continued protest regarding the detention of academic, blogger, and human rights activist Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace and human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, whose life sentences for their peaceful opposition activities have been confirmed on appeal by a military court on September 28, 2011.
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VIETNAM 9/29/11: Writers amnestied
PEN welcomes the release under amnesty of writers Tran Duc Thach and Nguyen Van Tinh.
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IRAQ 9/22/11: Journalist, playwright, filmmaker, and Iraqi PEN Member murdered
PEN is appalled by the murder of prominent journalist, playwright, filmmaker, and Iraqi PEN member Hadi al-Mahdi, who was shot dead at his home in Baghdad on September 8, 2011.
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VIETNAM 9/21/11: Activist and Internet writer sentenced
PEN protests the four-year sentence handed down to activist and Internet writer Lu Van Bay on August 22, 2011, for his critical online writings.
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ERITREA 9/20/11: Ten years on, Dawit Isaac still detained incommunicado
PEN protests the decade-long imprisonment of Eritrean-Swedish journalist and author Dawit Isaac, who has been detained incommunicado without charge since September 23, 2001.
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IRAN 9/20/11: Journalist, poet, and activist Faranak Farid arrested; serious health concerns
PEN is seriously concerned for the welfare of journalist, poet and activist Faranak Farid, who was arrested on September 3, 2011, in Tabriz, northwest Iran, apparently for her peaceful activism and writings on environmental issues and women’s rights.
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ETHIOPIA 9/14/11: Three print journalists charged with terrorism; concerns for well-being
PEN protests the terrorism charges brought against two Ethiopian journalists and one Swedish reporter on September 6, 2011, which could see them imprisoned for up to 20 years if convicted.
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SUDAN 9/13/11: Two journalists released, one still faces death penalty
PEN welcomes the release from prison of Rai Al-Shaab Deputy Editor Abu Zar Al-Amin and Al-Sahafa journalist Jaafar Alsabki Ibrahim on August 22 and 28, 2011 respectively.
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MEXICO 9/6/11: Two women journalists found strangled in Mexico City
PEN protests the murder of Contralinea founder Ana María Marcela Yarce Viveros who, along with freelance journalist Rocio González Trápaga, was found dead in Mexico City on September 1, 2011.
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MEXICO 8/26/11: Journalist abducted in Sinaloa state found dead
PEN International is dismayed to learn that journalist Humberto Millán Salazar, who was abducted in Culiacán, Sinaloa state on August 24, 2011, was found dead the next day.
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MEXICO 8/25/11: Journalist abducted in Sinaloa state; fears for safety
PEN is alarmed by the abduction of Humberto Millán Salazar, editor of the online newspaper A-Discusión and presenter for Radio Fórmula, in Culiacán, Sinaloa state, on August 24, 2011.
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TAJIKISTAN 8/22/11: Trial of BBC journalist begins
The trial of journalist Urinboy Usmonov of the British Broadcasting Service’s Central Asian Service has begun.
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VIETNAM 8/15/11: Internet writer sentenced
PEN protests the three-year sentence handed down to French-Vietnamese university teacher and Internet writer Pham Minh Hoang on August 10, 2011, for his critical online writings.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) 8/10/11: Internet writers detained; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Internet writers Ahmad Mansour and Nasser Bin Gheith, who are facing charges for their dissident activities and writings.
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BRAZIL 8/5/11: Columnist shot dead
PEN protests the murder of Auro Ida, political columnist for the online newspaper Olhar Direto, who was shot dead in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, on July 21, 2011.
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ECUADOR 8/3/11: El Universo journalist and directors sentenced to three years in prison for libel
PEN protests the three-year prison sentences and US$40 million in fines imposed on El Universo columnist Emilio Palacio and the newspaper’s co-directors Carlos Eduardo Pérez Barriga, César Enrique Pérez Barriga, and Carlos Nicolás Pérez Enrique on July 20, 2011, for allegedly libeling President Rafael Correa in an article published in February this year.
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TURKEY 8/1/11: Hrant Dink’s killer sentenced to over 22 years in prison; other trials continue
Last week, on July 25, 2011, Ogün Samast was convicted and sentenced to 22 years and 10 months in prison for the “premeditated murder” of Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink in January 2007.
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MEXICO 7/29/11: Journalist abducted and murdered in Veracruz state
PEN protests the abduction and murder in Veracruz state of Notiver journalist Yolanda Ordaz de la Cruz, whose decapitated body was found on July 26, 2011, two days after she was abducted by gunmen.
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VIETNAM 7/27/11: Blogger Nguyen Van Hai reportedly critically injured in prison; concerns for safety
PEN is alarmed at unconfirmed reports that journalist and blogger Nguyen Van Hai (aka Dieu Cay) has lost a hand in prison.
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SYRIA 7/27/11: Writers released under amnesty
PEN welcomes the release of several dissident writers as part of a presidential amnesty announced on June 2, 2011.
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VIETNAM 7/27/11: Editor and priest Nguyen Van Ly returned to prison; health concerns
PEN protests the re-arrest of editor and Catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly on July 25, 2011.
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BAHRAIN 7/20/11: Writer and journalist released
PEN welcomes the release on July 11, 2011, of writer and journalist Abbas Al- Murshid, who had been held since May 15, 2011, for his peaceful dissident activities.
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SYRIA 7/20/11: Poet and song writer killed for a protest song
PEN is appalled by the murder on July 5, 2011, of poet and song writer Ibrahim Qashoush, known as "the singer of the revolution."
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TAJIKISTAN 7/18/11: BBC journalist released on bail
PEN welcomes the news that Urinboy Usmonov, who has worked for ten years for the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Central Asian Service, has been released on bail.
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BAHRAIN 7/15/11: Poet released
PEN welcomes the release on July 13, 2011, of poet and student Ayat Al-Gormezi (f), one month after she was sentenced to one year in prison on anti-state charges for poems critical of the Bahraini King.
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COLOMBIA 7/14/11: One journalist killed, two threatened
PEN International protests the murder of El Heraldo de Urabá and Urabá al Día journalist Luis Eduardo Gómez, who was shot dead in front of his wife in Arboletes, Antioquia department, on June 30, 2011.
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MEXICO 7/13/11: Journalist and Son Murdered in Mexico State
PEN protests the murder of yet another journalist in Mexico: Angel Castillo Corona, who was killed along with his 16-year-old son in Mexico State on July 3, 2011.
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CHINA/TIBET 7/12/11: Writer and editor sentenced
PEN protests the four-year prison sentence handed down to Tibetan writer and editor Tashi Rabten (pen-name Te’urang) on June 2, 2011, for his critical writings.
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SUDAN 7/8/11: Rai al-Shaab editor and Al-Sahafa journalist now face death penalty
PEN protests the anti-state charges brought against Rai al-Shaab editor Abu Zar Al-Amin and Al-Sahafa journalist Jaafar Alsabki Ibrahim in June 2011, for which they now face possible execution.
VIETNAM 7/6/11: Award-winning writer and journalist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy (f) released into exile
PEN welcomes the release from prison of writer and journalist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, but is saddened that she has been forced into exile.
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CHINA 7/6/11: Journalist Qi Chonghuai sentenced to a further eight years
PEN protests the additional eight-year sentence handed down to freelance journalist Qi Chonghuai on June 9, 2011, two weeks before the end of his four-year sentence for extortion and blackmail.
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MEXICO 7/1/11: Lydia Cacho threatened with death; fears for safety
PEN is deeply alarmed by anonymous death threats received by author and journalist Lydia Cacho on June 14, 2011, and by the Mexican authorities’ apparent lack of response.
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CHINA 6/29/11: Artist Ai Weiwei faces enormous fines
On June 28, 2011, it was reported that Ai Weiwei, the internationally acclaimed artist who had been freed on bail a week earlier, had been visited by government tax officials with a demand for over 12 million yuan (c. 1.3 million Euro) in unpaid taxes and fines.
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MEXICO 6/21/11: Two columnists murdered; one editor missing
PEN is saddened and outraged by the murder of columnists Miguel Ángel López Velasco and Pablo Ruelas Barraza and the disappearance of editor Marco Antonio López Ortiz, all in the last two weeks.
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BAHRAIN 6/22/11: Activist and blogger Abdul-Jalil Alsingace sentenced to life imprisonment
PEN is shocked by the life sentence handed down to academic and human rights activist Dr. Abdul-Jalil Alsingace on June 22, 2011, for his peaceful opposition activities.
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ETHIOPIA 6/28/11: Two journalists detained incommunicado without charge
PEN protests the incommunicado detention of Awramba Times Deputy Editor Woubshet Taye and Feteh columnist Reeyot Alemu, who were arrested on June 19 and 21, 2011 respectively.
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TAJIKISTAN 6/28/11: BBC journalist charged
PEN protests the indictment of journalist Urinboy Usmonov on charges believed to be linked to his legitimate activities as a journalist.
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MOROCCO 6/21/11: One year in prison for editor critical of government
PEN protests the one-year prison sentence and fine handed to Almasae editor Rachid Nini on June 9, 2011, apparently in retaliation for his articles criticizing government policies and official corruption.
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TAJIKISTAN 6/20/11: BBC journalist arrested
PEN joins the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in condemning the reported beating of its staff member, journalist Urinboy Usmonov in police custody in Tajikistan and the denial of his right to access a lawyer.
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BAHRAIN 6/14/11: Poet sentenced
PEN protests the one-year sentence handed down to poet and student Ayat Al-Gormezi (f) on anti-state charges for poems critical of the Bahraini king.
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GEORGIA 6/13/11: Journalists attacked during police crackdown on opposition demonstrations
PEN joins the Georgian PEN Center in condemning the attacks on journalists by the Police Special Forces on May 26, 2011, following opposition protests in Tbilisi.
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SYRIA 6/13/11: “Gay Girl in Damascus” blog case a hoax; serious concerns remain for all others
PEN has learned that the widely reported case of Amina Abdallah Araf, purportedly a young Syrian American blogger allegedly abducted in Damascus on June 6, 2011, was fabricated.
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SYRIA 6/8/11: Crackdown on dissent continues in spite of selective presidential amnesty
PEN expresses renewed concerns for the safety of journalists, bloggers, writers and activists arrested in the crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests taking place across Syrian cities since mid-March 2011.
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RUSSIA/NORTH OSSETIA 6/8/11: Poet Shamil Dzhikayev Murdered
PEN is appalled by the brutal murder of the acclaimed poet Shamil Dzhikayev in North Ossetia last month.
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BAHRAIN 6/7/11: Poet and writer arrested; fears for safety
PEN is deeply concerned about the arrests of poet and student Ayat Al-Gormezi (f), and writer and journalist Abbas Al- Murshid, who have been held since March 30 and May 15, 2011, respectively.
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MEXICO 6/7/11: Body of disappeared journalist found
PEN protests the murder of La Verdad de Jáltipan columnist Noel López Olguín, whose body was found in Veracruz state on June 1, 2011, following his abduction on March 8.
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PAKISTAN 6/1/11: Leading journalist and writer murdered
PEN is shocked and saddened by the death of journalist and author Syed Saleem Shahzad, bureau chief of the Asia Times Online and author of the newly published Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond Bin Laden and 9/11.
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SINGAPORE 5/31/11: British author Alan Shadrake loses appeal
PEN renews its call for the charges against British author Alan Shadrake to be dropped after his six-week prison sentence for contempt was upheld by the Court of Appeal on May 27, 2011.
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CHINA/INNER MONGOLIA 5/31/11: Leading activist and editor Hada remains detained; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned by the reported continued detention of Hada, editor of The Voice of the Southern Mongolia and leading rights activist, who completed a 15-year prison term for his dissident writings on December 10, 2010, but has apparently not been released.
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VENEZUELA 5/27/11: Journalist-activist shot dead
PEN protests the murder of political columnist and activist Wilfred Iván Ojeda Peralta, who was abducted in La Victoria, Aragua state, on May 16, 2011, and found dead the next day.
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AZERBAIJAN 5/27/11: Eynulla Fatullayev Freed After Four Years in Prison
PEN is delighted to learn of yesterday's release of Eynulla Fatullayev, a journalist who had become emblematic of the struggle for free expression in Azerbaijan.
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BELARUS 5/26/11: Writers and journalists sentenced
Writers and journalists who had been detained in Belarus on December 19, 2010, following demonstrations against the flawed presidential elections, have now been sentenced.
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ISRAEL/PALESTINE 5/24/11: Writer and academic detained without charge
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of prominent Palestinian writer and academic Dr. Ahmad Qatamesh, who has been held without charge by the Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank since April 21, 2011.
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RUSSIA 5/24/11: Two sentenced for murder of Anastasiya Baburova and Stanislav Markelov
PEN welcomes the conviction and sentencing of two people in connection to the 2009 double murder of freelance journalist Anastasiya Baburova and human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov, in a trial described by the Committee to Protect Journalists as “a landmark victory in the fight against impunity in press killings in Russia.”
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BURUNDI 5/23/11: Online editor sentenced and released
PEN welcomes the May 16, 2011 release of Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, editor of the online press agency Net Press.
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MEXICO 5/18/11: Journalist acquitted after three years in prison; fears for safety
PEN International is pleased to report that El Tiempo journalist and director Jesús Lemus Barajas, jailed since May 2008, was finally acquitted of drug trafficking charges and released on May 11, 2011.
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PERU 5/17/11: Journalists receive pre-election death threats
PEN International is disturbed to learn of the death threats received by César Levano and Arturo Belaúnde, editor and president of the Board, respectively, of the daily newspaper La Primera.
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SYRIA 5/16/11: Writer detained; fears for safety
PEN International is seriously concerned about the May 12, 2011 detention of Najati Tayara, a writer and editor who was covering the protests currently taking place across Syria.
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SYRIA 5/11/11: Journalists, bloggers, and writers detained, fears for safety
PEN strongly condemns the killings, mass arrests, and disappearances of civilians, including several journalists, bloggers, writers, and activists in the crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests, which have been taking place across Syrian cities since mid-March 2011.
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BRAZIL 5/10/11: Newspaper owner and journalist shot dead
PEN protests the murder of Panorama Geral owner and journalist Valério Nascimento, who was shot dead outside his home in Rio Claro, Rio de Janeiro state, on May 3, 2011.
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BURUNDI 5/6/11: Imprisoned editor faces life prison sentence for "treason"
PEN protests the April 13, 2011 request from a Burundi state prosecutor for a life sentence for Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, editor of the online press agency Net Press, for treason.
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BELARUS 4/26/11: Trials begin of writers and journalists detained since December
Trials have begun against Belarusian writers and journalists who were detained following demonstrations against the results of the flawed presidential election of December 19, 2010.
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EGYPT 4/21/11: Blogger Michael Nabil Sanad sentenced to three years in prison
PEN protests the three-year sentence handed down to Internet writer Michael Nabil Sanad on April 9, 2011.
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VIETNAM 4/20/11: Prominent activist sentenced
PEN strongly protests the harsh seven-year prison sentence handed to dissident writer and activist Cu Huy Ha Vu on April 4, 2011.
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ANGOLA 4/14/11: Reporter Armando José Chicoca released
PEN welcomes the April 6, 2011 release on bail of reporter Armando José Chicoca, who was sentenced to one year in prison and a heavy fine on defamation charges on March 3.
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CHINA 4/11/11: Prominent artist and critic Ai Weiwei detained; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned for the welfare of internationally renowned artist and prominent government critic Ai Weiwei following his arrest at Beijing airport on April 3, 2011.
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CAMEROON 4/11/11: Songwriter released
PEN welcomes the release of singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name: Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo) on April 8, 2011.
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CUBA 4/8/11: Last journalist released
PEN is delighted to report that the last remaining Cuban journalist in prison, Habana Press director Alberto Santiago Du Bouchet Hernández, has now been released.
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CHINA 4/6/11: Dissident writer Liu Xianbin sentenced
PEN protests the 10-year sentence handed down to dissident writer and activist Liu Xianbin on March 25, 2011, for "inciting subversion of state power" in connection with his publication of articles calling for political reform in China.
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AZERBAIJAN 3/30/11: Journalist kidnapped and beaten
PEN is alarmed by the recent kidnapping and beating of journalist Seymur Khaziyev.
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MEXICO 3/29/11: Journalist disappears in Veracruz
PEN is deeply concerned by the disappearance of newspaper journalist Noel López Olguín, who was last seen in Jáltipan, Veracruz state, on March 8, 2011.
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CAMEROON 3/25/11: Author jailed for insulting President’s wife
PEN condemns the imprisonment of author Bertrand Teyou, detained since November 2010 for "insulting" President Biya’s wife in a book published last year, and for attempting to hold a public reading of the offending text.
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CUBA 3/18/11: Last of the ‘Black Spring’ writers released
PEN is delighted to report the release from prison of independent journalist Pedro Argüelles Morán on March 4, 2011.
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SUDAN 3/18/11: Two Rai al-Shaab reporters released, editor still detained
PEN welcomes the release from prison of Rai al-Shaab journalists Ashraf Abdel Aziz and Altahir Ibrahim on February 6, 2011, on completion of their sentence.
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BAHRAIN 3/17/11: Activist Abdul-Jalil Alsingace re-arrested; fears for safety
PEN is deeply concerned about the reported re-arrest of academic and human rights activist Dr. Abdul-Jalil Alsingace on March 16, 2011, after a violent crackdown on peaceful opposition protesters in the capital, Manama.
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SYRIA 3/14/11: Journalist ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah sentenced to 18 months in prison
PEN condemns the 18-month sentence handed down on March 13, 2011, to writer, journalist, and activist ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah for "harming Syria's relations with a foreign country."
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TURKEY 3/14/11: Publisher Ragip Zarakolu fined, writer Mehmet Güler receives suspended sentence
On March 10, 2011, Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and free expression activist, was sentenced to a fine, and author Mehmet Güler to a 15-month suspended prison term.
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ANGOLA 3/11/11: Reporter sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for defamation
PEN condemns the one-year prison sentence and heavy fine handed down on March 3, 2011, to journalist Armando José Chicoca on defamation charges for reporting on sexual harassment allegations against a senior judicial official in 2007.
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BAHRAIN 3/9/11: Activist Dr. Abdul-Jalil Alsingace released
PEN welcomes the release on February 23, 2011, of academic and human rights activist Dr. Abdul-Jalil Alsingace after nearly seven months in detention.
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TURKEY 3/7/11: Writers Nedim Şener and Ahmet Şık formally charged
PEN protests the detention of writers Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener who were formally charged with being members of the Ergenekon organization on March 6, 2011, and taken to Metris Prison in Istanbul to await trial.
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CHINA 3/4/11: Writer Ye Du detained; fears for safety
PEN protests the administrative detention of Wu Wei (pen name Ye Du), the webmaster and Network Coordinator of the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC), who is being held under residential surveillance for "inciting subversion of state power," a charge commonly used to silence dissent in China.
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CHINA 3/2/11: Renewed crackdown on dissidents and activists; fears for safety
PEN is alarmed at reports of a violent crackdown on government critics and human rights defenders in recent days, presumably because of the government's increasing fear of domestic social unrest.
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RUSSIA 3/2/11: Investigations re-opened into the murders of five journalists
PEN welcomes the pledge by Russian investigators to re-open investigations into the cases of five murdered journalists, Valery Ivanov, Natalia Skryl, Aleksei Sidorov, Yuri Shchekochikhin, and Vagif Kochetkov.
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CUBA 2/24/11: Second writer released and allowed to stay in Cuba; three still in jail
PEN welcomes the release of the independent journalist and librarian Iván Hernández Carrillo on February 19, 2011, after almost eight years in prison.
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BELARUS 2/18/11: February 19 is the two-month anniversary of the mass arrest of writers, journalists
February 19, 2011, is the two-month anniversary of the mass arrests which followed demonstrations against the results of the flawed presidential election of December 19, 2010.
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SYRIA 2/17/11: Blogger and poet sentenced
PEN condemns the five-year sentence handed down on February 14, 2011, to blogger, poet, and high school student Tal Al-Mallouhi on the charge of "divulging information to a foreign state."
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CUBA 2/15/11: One more writer released; four remain in prison
PEN is pleased to note that writer and journalist Héctor Fernando Maseda Gutiérrez was freed on February 12, 2011, after almost eight years in prison.
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IRAN 2/15/11: Journalist arrested; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of leading Iranian journalist Taghi Rahmani, who was arrested at his home on February 9, 2011.
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SYRIA 2/14/11: Continued detention of journalist ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah
PEN is seriously concerned about the continued detention of journalist ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah, whose two-and-a-half-year sentence for his dissident writings and peaceful opposition activities expired in June 2010.
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RWANDA 2/14/11: Long prison sentences for two journalists
PEN protests the February 4, 2011 conviction and imprisonment of Umurabyo editor Agnes Uwimana and reporter Saidati Mukakibibi
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SUDAN 2/4/11: Mass arrests of journalists; fears for safety
PEN protests the wave of arrests of journalists during recent pro-democracy street protests in Sudan.
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EGYPT 2/3/11: Journalists and independent publishers targeted in crackdown on peaceful protests
PEN strongly condemns the violence used against peaceful pro-democracy protestors on February 2, 2011, in which journalists and independent media outlets were among those attacked.
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BELARUS 2/1/11: Three writers released; severe restrictions placed on movements
PEN welcomes the release from detention of Vladimir Neklyaev, former president of the Belarus PEN Center, and of journalists Natalia Radzina and Irina Khalip, but remain concerned that they still face charges.
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KUWAIT 2/1/11: Journalist and blogger Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem released
PEN welcomes the release of journalist and blogger Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem on January 23, 2011, after spending more than two months in prison.
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SRI LANKA 1/25/11: Anniversary action for abducted columnist Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda
PEN is appalled that one year after the disappearance of Sri Lankan journalist Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda, there is still no news of his whereabouts or fate and that his abductors remain at large.
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TUNISIA 1/21/11: Boukaddous and seven others released
PEN welcomes the release on January 19, 2011, of Fahem Boukaddous, correspondent for Al-Badil news web site and TV journalist, after more than seven months in prison.
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YEMEN 1/20/11: Journalist sentenced to five years in prison
PEN protests the five-year prison sentence handed down to journalist Abdulaelah Haider Shaea on January 17, 2011, for his coverage of Islamist groups in the Arabian peninsula.
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TURKEY 1/19/11: Academic Pinar Selek will be tried February 9; faces 36 years in prison
Pinar Selek, writer, sociologist, and founder of the Amargi Women’s Solidarity Cooperative, will be tried in Istanbul on February 9, 2011, on charges of which she has already been acquitted twice.
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NORWAY 1/19/11: Asylum-seeking writer detained; deported following publication of book
On the evening of January 12, 2011, 25-year-old Maria Amelie, Russian-born writer and asylum seeker, was arrested for breaking Norweigan immigration law after drawing attention to her situation in her book, Illegally Norwegian.
TUNISIA 1/18/11: Some journalists and bloggers released, others still in detention, fears for safety
PEN welcomes the release on January 16, 2011, of Nizar Ben Hassan and Hamma Hammami Hassan, who had been arrested by Special Presidential Security officers a few days earlier.
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TUNISIA 1/13/11: Journalists and bloggers abducted, detained and jailed, fear for their safety
PEN strongly condemns the killing, mass arrests, and disappearances of civilians including several journalists, bloggers, writers, lawyers, and other activists in the course of protests that are currently taking place across Tunisia.
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IRAN 1/12/11: Prominent human rights lawyer, journalist, and writer sentenced
PEN condemns the 11-year sentence handed down on January 9, 2010, to prominent writer, journalist, and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, who was also banned from practicing law and from leaving the country for 20 years.
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CHINA 1/12/11: Death of prominent writer Zhang Jianhong (aka Li Hong) announced
PEN mourns the death on December 31, 2010, of writer, poet, and playwright Zhang Jianhong, who had been suffering from a rare neurological disorder since early 2007, shortly after his arrest on subversion charges for his critical writings.
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BELARUS 1/5/11: Repression of Press Continues; Journalists Face Long Sentences
PEN is deeply concerned by the worsening situation in Belarus, which has seen the continued detention, maltreatment and impending prosecution of a number of writers and journalists, including members of the Belarus PEN Center.
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BELARUS 12/29/10: Belarus PEN Offices Searched and Equipment Seized
PEN has learned that on December 28, the Belarus PEN Center’s office in Minsk was raided, and computers and papers were seized.
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BELARUS 12/21/10: Neklyaev held in KGB detention center; many more writers and journalists arrested
PEN is increasingly alarmed by the December 19, 2010, mass arrests of demonstrators, among them writers and journalists, including members of the Belarus PEN Center.
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BELARUS 12/20/10: Writer and former Belarusian PEN President Vladimir Neklyaev arrested and beaten
PEN is shocked by yesterday’s (December 19, 2010) arrest and beating of Vladimir Neklyaev, writer, former president of the Belarusian PEN Center, and Belarus presidential candidate.
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TURKEY 12/17/10: Writer Nevin Berktaş sentenced to 10 months in prison
Nevin Berktaş, a Turkish writer who has spent 21 years of her life in Turkish prisons, was arrested in early November 2010 and is currently imprisoned in Istanbul Bakirkoy Prison.
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BURUNDI 12/16/10: Online editor jailed for treason
PEN protests the continued detention of Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, editor of the online press agency Net Press, who was arrested on July 17, 2010.
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IRAN 12/15/10: Leading journalist returned to prison; serious health concerns
PEN is seriously concerned about reports that leading journalist and human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi has been returned to prison despite severe health problems.
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KUWAIT 12/15/10: Journalist and blogger Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem imprisoned
PEN is deeply concerned about the one-year prison sentence handed down to Kuwaiti writer, journalist and blogger Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem on November 22, 2010, for an article he wrote on his blog, Al-Mizan, criticizing the country's prime minister.
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ARMENIA 12/8/10: Jailed Newspaper Editor Reportedly Beaten and Placed in Solitary Confinement
PEN is deeply concerned by reports that Nikol Pashinyan, jailed opposition politician and editor of the newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times), was beaten while in prison and placed in solitary detention.
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CAMEROON 11/26/10: Editors conditionally released
PEN welcomes the release of editors Robert Mintya (Le Devoir) and Serge Sabouang (La Nation) on November 24, 2010, on orders of the president.
IRAN 11/25/10: Prominent human rights lawyer, journalist, and writer arrested, fears for safety
PEN protests the arrest of a prominent writer, journalist, and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, who has been imprisoned since September 4, 2010.
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AZERBAIJAN 11/22/10: Two Bloggers Freed but Eynulla Fatullayev Remains in Prison
PEN is pleased and relieved that the Azerbaijani court of appeal has at last freed the bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade.
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EGYPT 11/19/10: Internet writer Kareem Amer released
PEN welcomes the release of internet writer Kareem Amer on November 15, 2010, ten days after completing a four-year jail sentence for his critical writings.
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ETHIOPIA 11/16/10: Editor released; his son jailed
PEN protests the detention without charge of 17-year-old Akram Ezedin, acting editor of the privately-owned Islamic weekly newspaper Al-Quds.
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SYRIA 11/16/10: Lawyer and writer attacked; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned for the safety of lawyer and writer Muhannad al-Hassani, who is serving a three-year prison sentence in Adra prison, Damascus, for his human rights work and writings, after a trial that fell short of international standards of fairness.
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SINGAPORE 11/16/10: British author Alan Shadrake imprisoned
PEN protests the six-week sentence handed down to British author Alan Shadrake by the high court in Singapore today for allegedly “scandalizing the judiciary” in his book, Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock.
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MYANMAR 11/15/10: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy leader and writer, released
PEN is delighted by the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese National League for Democracy (NLD), on November 13, 2010.
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SUDAN 11/12/10: journalists detained, fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned for the safety of Jaafar Alsabki Ibrahim, a Darfuri journalist working for the opposition newspaper Al-Sahafa, who was reportedly arrested on November 3, 2010, amid a wave of arrests of Darfuri media workers and activists.
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AZERBAIJAN 11/10/10: Eynulla Fatullayev Caged for Appeal Hearing
PEN condemns the humiliating treatment of journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, who was caged by Azerbaijani authorities at his recent appeal hearing.
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RUSSIA 11/10/10: Two Journalists Hospitalized, Another Put on Trial
PEN condemns the brutal attacks on journalists Oleg Kashin and Anatoliy Adamchuk, which took place on November 6 and 8, 2010, respectively.
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KYRGYZSTAN 10/26/10: Detained Uzbek Journalist Suffers Stroke
PEN is deeply concerned about the news that Kyrgyzstan-based Uzbek journalist Ulugbek Abdusalamov has suffered a serious stroke while detained at a hospital.
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YEMEN 10/25/10: Journalist detained; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Abdulelah Haider Shaea, a journalist who is known for his coverage of Islamist groups in the Arabian Peninsula.
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TUNISIA 10/15/10: Boukaddous seriously ill; Tunisian PEN member facing prison sentence
PEN is seriously concerned about the health of Fahem Boukaddous, correspondent for the Al-Badeel news web site and TV journalist, who is serving a four-year prison sentence for his reports on social protests.
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CHINA 10/12/10: Crackdown on supporters of prominent dissident writer and Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo
PEN is alarmed by an apparent crackdown on Chinese writers and intellectuals following the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to imprisoned writer Liu Xiaobo, former president and board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center.
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SYRIA 10/11/10: Blogger charged; fears for safety
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Tal Al-Mallouhi a 19 year-old blogger, poet, and high school student, who is reportedly facing charges of espionage.
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TURKEY 10/7/10: Trial of Publisher Ragip Zarakolu Postponed
The trial of Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and free expression activist, has been postponed until December 2, 2010.
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AZERBAIJAN 10/5/10: Eynulla Fatullayev Convicted on Drug Charge
PEN urges Azerbaijan to immediately comply with the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling that journalist Eynulla Fatullayev be released from prison.
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IRAN 10/4/10: Iranian-Canadian journalist Hossein Derakhshan sentenced
International PEN condemns the nineteen-and-a-half year sentence handed down to Iranian-Canadian journalist and blogger Hossein Derakhshan by a Revolutionary Court on September 29, 2010.
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CUBA 9/29/10: Two more journalists released, exiled to Spain
PEN is pleased to note the release of two more Cuban writers imprisoned since 2003.
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TURKEY 9/22/10: Trial of Publisher Ragip Zarakolu and Writer Mehmet Güler, First Hearing on Sept 30
Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and free expression activist, is on trial again for publishing another book by author Mehmet Güler.
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KYRGYZSTAN 9/22/10: Seriously Ill Uzbek Journalist Remains Detained
PEN calls for the release, pending a fair trial, of Kyrgyzstan-based Uzbek journalist Ulugbek Abdusalamov.
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BAHRAIN 9/8/10: Activist arrested; fears of ill-treatment
PEN is seriously concerned by the arrest of academic and human rights activist Dr Abdul-Jalil Alsingace, who has been held incommunicado since August 13, 2010.
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CAMEROON 9/2/10: Fears for health of imprisoned editor
PEN is seriously concerned about the health of Le Devoir editor Robert Mintya, who has been imprisoned pending trial for alleged forgery since February 2010.
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CUBA 8/25/10: Three more journalists released
PEN is delighted at the news of the release of three more Cuban journalists imprisoned since 2003.
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CUBA 8/18/10: Twelfth writer released into exile
PEN is pleased to report the release of another Cuban writer imprisoned since 2003.
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KYRGYZSTAN 8/9/10: Detained Uzbek Journalist in Extremely Poor Health
PEN joins Amnesty International in its call for the release of Uzbek journalist Ulugbek Abdusalamov, imprisoned since June 14, 2010, for his writings.
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CHINA 8/9/10: Uyghur journalist and editor sentenced
PEN is appalled by the 15-year prison sentence handed down to Uyghur journalist and editor Hailaite Niyazi (aka Hairat or Gheyret Niyaz) on July 23, 2010.
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CUBA 7/23/10: Tenth journalist released, exiled to Spain
PEN is pleased to note that four more Cuban independent journalists imprisoned since 2003 have been released, making a total of 10 freed since July 12, 2010.
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TURKEY 7/23/10: Publisher Ragip Zarakolu Back on Trial Again Alongside Writer Mehmet Güler
Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and free expression activist is on trial again for publishing another book by author Mehmet Güler.
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TUNISIA 7/20/10: Journalist Fahem Boukaddous jailed, serious concern for health
PEN strongly protests the imprisonment of Fahem Boukaddous, correspondent for the Al-Badeel news web site and a TV journalist, whose four-year prison sentence for his reports on social protests was confirmed on appeal on July 6, 2010.
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MEXICO 7/14/10: Young journalist shot dead in Michoacán
PEN protests the fatal shooting of 27-year-old journalist and editor Hugo Alfredo Olivera Cartas, whose body was found on July 6, 2010.
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CUBA 7/13/10: Six journalists released; 16 to follow
PEN is delighted at the news that six Cuban independent journalists imprisoned since March 2003 have finally been released. Julio César Gálvez Rodríguez, José Luis García Paneque, Ricardo Severino González Alfonso, Léster Luis González Pentón, Pablo Pacheco Ávila and Omar Moisés Ruíz Hernández were freed late on July 12, 2010, and arrived in Madrid, Spain, with their families on the afternoon of July 13.
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IRAN 7/2/10: Leading journalist released on bail; trial continues
PEN welcomes the release of leading journalist and human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi on June 23, 2010.
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MEXICO 7/2/10: Husband-and-wife journalists shot dead in Guerrero
PEN is outraged by the fatal shooting of journalists Juan Francisco Rodríguez Ríos and María Elvira Hernández Galena in Coyuca de Benítez, Guerrero state, on June 28, 2010.
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PANAMA 7/1/10: Veteran journalist jailed for article on environmental damage
PEN protests the arrest and detention on June 26, 2010, of journalist Carlos Jerónimo Nuñez López, who was reportedly sentenced to one year in prison on libel charges without his knowledge.
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RWANDA 6/28/10: Newspaper editor murdered
PEN protests in the strongest possible terms the murder of Jean Leonard Rugambage, deputy editor of the banned newspaper Umuvugizi, who was shot dead outside his home on June 24, 2010.
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TURKEY 6/11/10: Publisher Ragip Zarakolu Acquitted - Writer Mehmet Güler Sentenced to 15 months
Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and human rights activist, who has been subject to harassment, trials and periods of imprisonment since the 1970s, was acquitted at his trial hearing on June 10, 2010, but Mehmet Güler was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison.
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CHINA 6/9/10: Prominent writer Zhang Jianhong (pen name Li Hong) released; grave health concerns
PEN welcomes the release on medical parole on June 5, 2010, of prominent writer and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center Zhang Jianhong.
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AZERBAIJAN 6/1/10: Eynulla Fatullayev has been unfairly tried
PEN welcomes the April 22, 2010 decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled unanimously that Eynulla Fatullayev’s 2007 convictions were contrary to his right freedom of expression, as stated under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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TURKEY 5/27/10: Publisher and Human Rights Activist Faces Imprisonment
Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and human rights activist, who has been subject to harassment, trials and periods of imprisonment since the 1970s, is expecting a verdict at his next trial hearing in two days, on June 10, 2010.
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SUDAN 5/27/10: Three journalists detained, two incommunicado; one tortured
PEN protests the May 16, 2010 arrest and detention of three journalists for the opposition daily newspaper Rai al-Shaab amid a post-election crackdown on the Sudanese media and opposition leaders.
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BELARUS 5/25/10: Writer Vladimir Neklyayev and Editor Sergei Voznyak Released
PEN has learned that Vladimir Neklyayev, poet, author and former president of Belarusian PEN, and newspaper editor Sergei Voznyak, arrested on May 18, have now been freed.
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BELARUS 5/20/10: Writer Vladimir Neklyayev and Editor Sergei Voznyak Arrested
Vladimir Neklyayev, poet, author and former president of Belarusian PEN, and newspaper editor Sergei Voznyak are among scores of members of civil society groups arrested in recent days.
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MEXICO 5/18/10: Editor Missing in Veracruz
PEN protests the disappearance of a third print journalist in Mexico this year.
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IRAN 5/14/10: Canadian-Iranian journalist and writer Maziar Bahari sentenced in absentia
PEN is shocked by the severity of the sentence handed down in absentia to leading Canadian-Iranian journalist, writer, and filmmaker Maziar Bahari on May 9, 2010.
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CHINA/TIBET 5/10/10: Writer detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the arrest of Tibetan writer Tagyal (pen name Shogdung) on April 23, 2010, after criticizing the authorities in an open letter.
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CHINA 5/6/10: Dissident writer’s health declining
PEN is seriously concerned about the deteriorating health of imprisoned activist and dissident writer Hu Jia, who was hospitalized for tests in late March 2010.
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SRI LANKA 5/4/10: Journalist J. S. Tissainayagam pardoned
PEN welcomes the announcement on May 3, 2010, that Tamil journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam (J. S.) Tissainayagam has received a presidential pardon.
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CAMEROON 4/29/10: Call for appeals on death of journalist Germain S. Ngota Ngota
PEN is outraged at the news of newspaper editor Germain S. Ngota Ngota’s death on April 22, 2010, while incarcerated in Kondegui prison in the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé.
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CAMEROON 4/21/10: Two years on, songwriter remains imprisoned
PEN protests the continuing imprisonment of singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo), whose final appeal has still not been heard despite having served more than two years in jail.
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MEXICO 4/13/10: In Michoacán, one journalist killed, another disappears
PEN is saddened and angered by the murder of journalist Enrique Villicaña Palomares and the disappearance of correspondent Ramón Ángeles Zalpa in Michoacán state in early April 2010.
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MOROCCO 4/9/10: Environmental journalist jailed for two years
PEN protests the two-year prison sentence handed to journalist and environmental activist Mohammed Attaoui in the Atlas region on March 22, 2010.
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SYRIA 4/1/10: Novelist arrested; fears of ill-treatment
PEN is seriously concerned by the arrest of writer Raghdah Sa’id Hassan on February 10, 2010, after writing her first novel.
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TURKEY 3/31/10: Publisher and Writer Face Imprisonment
Publisher Ragip Zarakolu and author Mehmet Güler, on trial in Turkey since May 2009, face prison sentences of up to seven and a half years for Güler’s novel More Difficult Decisions Than Death.
AFGHANISTAN 3/30/10: Journalist and publisher released
PEN welcomes the release of journalist Ahmed Ghous Zalmai, publisher Mohammad Ateef Noori and Mullah Qari Mushtaq, on March 20, 2010.
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MEXICO 3/30/10: Two journalists dead; five missing
PEN protests the deaths of two more Mexican print journalists and the reported disappearance of at least five others in March 2010.
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COLOMBIA 3/26/10: Newspaper publisher shot dead
PEN protests the murder of newspaper editor and publisher Clodomiro Castilla Ospina, who was shot dead in Montería, Córdoba, on March 19, 2010.
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VIETNAM 3/23/10: Editor and priest Nguyen Van Ly released
PEN welcomes the release of editor and Catholic priest Father Nguyen Van Ly on March 15, 2010, on medical grounds.
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IRAN 3/18/10: Leading journalist detained without charge; health concerns
PEN protests the detention without charge of leading journalist and human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi.
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INDIA 3/17/10: Writer facing charges; concerns for safety
PEN is seriously concerned about the charges facing Mumbai-based writer Murzban Shroff for his debut book Breathless in Bombay.
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AZERBAIJAN 3/12/10: Internet writers' sentences upheld
PEN strongly protests the recent decision of the Baku Court of Appeal to uphold the two-year and two-and-a-half-year prison sentences handed down to Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade respectively.
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VIETNAM 3/9/10: Award-winning writer and journalist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy sentenced; health concerns
PEN strongly protests the three-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed to writer and journalist Tran Khai Thanh Thuy.
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AZERBAIJAN 3/9/10: Eynulla Fatullayev to be held in isolation for two more months
Eynulla Fatullayev, a journalist who has been in prison on political charges since April 2007, has been held in isolation since December 31, 2009—a two-month detention order that has been extended twice.
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NEPAL 3/8/10: Publisher Arun Singhaniya killed
PEN is shocked by the murder of publisher and media entrepreneur Arun Singhaniya, who was shot dead on March 1, 2010.
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MAURITANIA 3/5/10: Editor released
PEN welcomes the release of online newspaper editor Hanevy Ould Dehah on February 26, 2010, following a presidential pardon.
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CHINA 3/1/10: Writer Tan Zuoren sentenced
PEN strongly protests the five-year prison sentence handed down to writer and activist Tan Zuoren on February 9, 2009, for "inciting subversion of state power."
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SRI LANKA 2/26/10: Columnist disappeared; fears for safety
PEN is deeply concerned for the well-being of columnist Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda, who has been missing since January 24, 2010.
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CHINA 2/12/10: Prominent dissident writer Liu Xiaobo’s appeal rejected
Liu Xiaobo, former President and Board member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2009.
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MAURITANIA 2/9/10: Editor held illegally given second prison sentence on same charges
PEN strongly protests the two-year prison sentence handed to online newspaper editor Hanevy Ould Dehah on February 4, 2010, for allegedly violating public decency, inciting revolt and "criminal publication."
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ETHIOPIA 2/3/10: Third newspaper editor jailed
PEN protests the one-year prison sentence handed to newspaper editor Ezedin Mohamed of the newspaper Al-Quds on January 29, 2010, for an article criticizing the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
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MEXICO 2/3/10: Newspaper publisher shot dead
PEN protests the murder of newspaper editor and publisher Jorge Ochoa Martínez, who was shot dead in Ayutla de los Libres, Guerrero state, on January 29, 2010.
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CHINA 2/2/10: Writer and Independent Chinese PEN Officer Zhao Shiying released
PEN welcomes the release of Zhao Shiying, dissident writer, activist and Secretary General of the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC), after being detained for two weeks.
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AZERBAIJAN 1/28/10: Two journalists released
PEN welcomes the release of the Nota newspaper journalist Faramaz Nozruzoglu (Allahverdiyev) on expiry of his sentence, and Bizim Yol correspondent Mushfig Huseynov, pardoned under presidential decree.
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CHINA 1/18/10: Writer and Independent Chinese PEN Officer Zhao Shiying Detained
PEN condemns the detention of Zhao Shiying, Secretary General of the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC), who was arrested on January 11, 2010.
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PERU 1/15/10: Newspaper editor jailed for defamation
PEN protests the one-year prison sentence handed down to Nor Oriente editor Alejandro Carrascal Carrasco on January 12, 2010, for alleged “aggravated defamation” of a local official in a case dating back to 2005.
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SRI LANKA 1/13/10: Journalist J. S. Tissainayagam freed
PEN welcomes the release on bail of Tamil journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam, who was detained in March 2008 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for his critical writings.
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TUNISIA 1/12/10: Journalist and writer’s health deteriorates in prison
PEN is deeply concerned at reports that the health of ailing imprisoned journalist and writer Taoufik Ben Brik is deteriorating as a result of poor treatment in prison.
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MEXICO 1/12/10 Another print journalist abducted and murdered
PEN is shocked and saddened by the murder of Zócalo de Saltillo journalist Valentín Valdés Espinosa, who was abducted on January 7, 2010, and found dead the next day in Saltillo, Coahuila state.
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AZERBAIJAN 1/11/10: New charge against imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev
PEN is deeply concerned by news that imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev was charged with drug possession on December 31, 2009.
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TURKEY 1/10/10: Writer and Human Rights Lawyer Detained
On December 24, 2009, human rights lawyer, writer and PEN Turkey member Muharrem Erbey was arrested in Diyabakir, southeastern Turkey.
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MEXICO 1/5/10: Newspaper editor shot dead
PEN protests the murder of José Alberto Velázquez López, editor of Expresiones de Tulum, who was shot dead in Cancún, Quintana Roo state, on December 22, 2009.
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AZERBAIJAN 12/17/09: Authorities respond to PEN appeals; journalists remain imprisoned
International PEN received a message from the Baku Court of appeal regarding the imprisonment of the Nota newspaper journalists Sardar Alibeili and Faramaz Nozruzoglu (Allahverdiyev), who were convicted on defamation charges for articles published in Nota.
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MEXICO 11/27/09: Crime reporter missing
PEN is seriously concerned for the safety of crime reporter María Esther Aguilar Cansimbe, who was last seen leaving her home in Zamora, Michoacán state, on November 11, 2009.
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PHILIPPINES 11/25/09: International PEN Condemns Attack in Ampatuan
PEN joins the international community in condemning the politically motivated attack in the Philippines on November 23, 2009, in which at least 17 journalists were killed.
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CHINA/TIBET 11/23/09: Internet writers sentenced
PEN protests the 15- and five-year prison sentences handed down to Tibetan Internet writers Kunchok Tsephel and Kunga Tseyang in mid-November 2009.
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UZBEKISTAN 11/20/09: Imprisoned journalist's family dies in accident
PEN sends its deepest condolences to the imprisoned journalist and human rights activist Dilmurod Saidov (Sayyid), whose wife and daughter, aged 6, were killed in a car accident while on their way to visit him in prison.
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AZERBAIJAN 11/20/09: Internet writers sentenced on hooliganism charges
PEN protests the prison sentences handed down to Internet writers and youth activists Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade.
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CHINA 11/19/09: Uyghur journalist and editor detained
International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Uyghur journalist and editor Hailaite Niyazi, who was reportedly arrested in October 2009.
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CUBA 11/18/09: Internet writers detained and beaten
PEN is alarmed by reports that renowned internet writer Yoani Sánchez and fellow bloggers Orlando Luís Pardo Lazo and Claudia Cadelo were abducted and beaten by state security agents while on their way to a demonstration in Havana on November 6, 2009.
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VIETNAM 11/18/09: Serious health concerns for two detained writers
PEN is seriously concerned for the health of writers Tran Khai Thanh Thuy and Father Nguyen Van Ly.
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SRI LANKA 11/17/09: Publisher released; journalist remains imprisoned
PEN welcomes the release of Tamil publisher Vetrivel Jasikaran and his wife Vadivel Valarmathy on October 26, 2009, after being held for 19 months.
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MEXICO 11/4/09: Crime reporter abducted and murdered
PEN is shocked and saddened by the murder of Mexican journalist José Bladimir Antuna García of El Tiempo de Durango, who was abducted and killed in Durango, Durango State, on November 2, 2009.
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CHINA 11/2/09: Internet writer and activist sentenced
PEN protests the ten-year prison sentence handed down to dissident writer and activist Guo Quan for "subversion of state power."
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AZERBAIJAN 10/28/09: Journalists sentenced on defamation charges
PEN protests the three-month prison sentences handed down to newspaper journalists Sardar Alibeili and Faramaz Nozruzoglu (Allahverdiyev) on defamation charges.
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VIETNAM 10/14/09: Dissident writers sentenced
PEN is outraged by the sentences handed down to six dissident writers in recent days for "spreading propaganda" against the government.
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MEXICO 9/28/09: Online columnist murdered
PEN is outraged by the murder of online columnist Norberto Miranda Madrid, who was shot dead by unknown assassins on September 23, 2009, after writing about drug cartels in Chihuahua state.
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YEMEN 9/23/09: Editor abducted
PEN is gravely concerned for the safety of editor Muhammad al-Maqalih, who was reportedly abducted from a Sana’a street on September 17, 2009.
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VIETNAM 9/15/09: Crackdown Persists
PEN is alarmed by another wave of arrests in Vietnam, in which a number of writers and activists have been arrested in recent weeks for their dissenting views and activities.
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KENYA 9/9/09: Kenyan PEN president released
PEN welcomes the release of Kenyan PEN President Philo Ikonya and a student activist following their arrest yesterday while taking part in a peaceful demonstration against corruption in Nairobi.
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GAMBIA 9/10/09: Six journalists pardoned and released
PEN welcomes the release on September 3, 2009 of the six Gambian journalists who were given a two-year prison sentence last month for sedition and defamation after they criticized President Yahya Jammeh.
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AFGHANISTAN 9/8/09: Journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh released
PEN is delighted to learn that Afghan journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh has been freed under a presidential pardon.
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NIGER 9/8/09: Sick editor transferred to remote prison; concerns for health
PEN is seriously concerned about the health and well being of editor Abdoulaye Tiémogo, who contracted malaria after being imprisoned in August 2009.
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KENYA 9/8/09: Kenyan PEN President and Secretary General arrested; fears for safety
PEN is alarmed at reports that Philo Ikonya and Kingwa Kamencu, President and Secretary General of Kenyan PEN respectively, were arrested while taking part in a peaceful protest against corruption in Nairobi.
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CHINA 9/7/09: Uighur writer and PEN member released
PEN welcomes the release of Uighur writer, academic and Uighur PEN Center member Ilham Tohti.
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ETHIOPIA 9/4/09: Two editors jailed for a year
PEN protests the one-year prison sentence handed to newspaper editors Ibrahim Mohamed Ali and Asrat Wedajo on August 24, 2009 for their coverage of sensitive issues.
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SRI LANKA 9/3/09: Tamil journalist sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment
PEN is appalled by the 20-year prison sentence handed down to Tamil journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam (J. S.) Tissainayagam, under anti-terror legislation for his writing and publishing activities.
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AZERBAIJAN 8/21/09: Editor dies in prison
PEN is shocked by the death of Novruzali Mamedov, editor of Talysh minority language newspaper Talyshi Sado and head of the Talysh Cultural Center, while serving a ten-year prison sentence in an Azeri prison.
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KAZAKHSTAN 8/21/09: Three-year prison sentence for editor
PEN protests the three-year prison sentence handed down to editor Ramazan Yesergepov for "illegally obtaining and divulging state secrets."
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CHINA 8/14/09: Writer and advocate released from prison
PEN welcomes the August 12, 2009 release of dissident writer, pro-democracy advocate and Independent Chinese PEN Center member Zhang Lin.
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GUATEMALA 8/14/09: Publisher sentenced to one year in prison
PEN protests the one-year prison sentence and fine handed down to publisher Raúl Figueroa Sarti on August 6, 2009 for alleged copyright infringement.
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CHINA/TIBET 8/11/09: Writer and editor detained
PEN is seriously concerned for the welfare of Tibetan writer and editor Tashi Rabten (pen name: Te’urang), who was reportedly arrested on July 27, 2009.
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UZBEKISTAN 8/10/09: Twelve-year sentence for journalist Dilmurod Saidov
PEN is shocked by the 12 1/2-year sentence handed to Uzbek journalist Dilmurod Saidov on July 30, 2009, on criminal charges of extortion and forgery.
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GAMBIA 8/7/09: Six journalists jailed for criticizing president
PEN is outraged by the two-year prison sentence and heavy fines imposed on six Gambian journalists who criticized President Yahya Jammeh for making inappropriate comments about the unsolved 2004 murder of a journalist.
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VENEZUELA 8/6/09: Severe setbacks for freedom of expression
PEN is alarmed by a series of restrictions imposed on the media by the Venezuelan authorities over the last week that indicates a serious deterioration in the situation of freedom of expression in the country.
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MEXICO 7/29/09: One year on, silence surrounds murder of anthropologist
PEN is seriously concerned about the apparent lack of progress in the investigation into the murder of anthropologist, author and indigenous rights activist Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez Ávila, who was beaten to death in Guerrero state on July 25-26, 2008.
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ECUADOR 7/24/09: Editor Milton Chacaguasay jailed again
PEN is outraged by the re-imprisonment of La Verdad editor Milton Chacaguasay Flores less than two months after he was released on parole.
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MEXICO 7/22/09: Two journalists killed in Chihuahua and Michoacán
PEN protests in the strongest possible terms the murder of two more Mexican print journalists within two days of each other, bringing the death toll this year alone to four.
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RUSSIA 7/16/09: Human rights defender Natalia Estemirova murdered
PEN is appalled by the July 15, 2009 abduction and murder of the courageous human rights defender and journalist Natalia Estemirova.
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CHINA 7/10/09: Uighur writer and PEN member detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of writer, academic, and Uighur PEN member Ilham Tohti, who was reportedly arrested in Beijing on July 7, 2009.
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TURKEY 7/9/09: Author Nedim Gürsel acquitted of "humiliating" religion
PEN is pleased to learn of the June 25, 2009 acquittal of Nedim Gürsel, who was on trial for his book Daughters of Allah.
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ECUADOR 7/6/09: Newspaper editor released
PEN welcomes the early release of La Verdad editor Milton Chacaguasay Flores, who had been imprisoned since November 2008 for allegedly libeling a judge.
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VIETNAM 6/16/09: Lawyer and dissident writer arbitrarily detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of lawyer and dissident writer Le Cong Dinh who was arrested on June 13, 2009.
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MEXICO 5/29/09: Second journalist murdered in Durango state
PEN is shocked by the abduction and murder of La Opinión crime reporter Eliseo Barrón Hernández on May 25-26, 2009.
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MEXICO 5/28/09: Fears for safety of author Lydia Cacho
PEN is deeply concerned by the harassment of award-winning author, journalist and activist Lydia Cacho, which has reportedly escalated over the last two weeks, giving rise to fears for her safety.
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SYRIA 5/27/09: Writer Michel Kilo released
PEN welcomes the May 19, 2009 release of Syrian writer Michel Kilo.
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CUBA 5/19/09: Journalist sentenced to three years' imprisonment
PEN strongly protests the three-year prison sentence given to Habana Press director Alberto Santiago Du Bouchet, reportedly for “disrespect for authority,” on May 12, 2009.
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RUSSIA 5/15/09: Four journalists killed and others attacked in first months of 2009
PEN is alarmed by the increased levels of physical violence against print journalists in Russia.
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MYANMAR 5/14/09: Writer and NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi taken to prison
PEN is outraged by the charges of “subversion” brought against writer, National League for Democracy (NLD) leader, and Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for allegedly breaching the conditions of her house arrest.
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TURKEY 5/11/09: Gürsel trial to continue against prosecutor's advice
The trial against author Nedim Gürsel, accused for his book, Daughters of Allah, is to continue despite the prosecutor's advice that he be acquitted.
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IRAN 5/11/09: American-Iranian journalist released
PEN welcomes the May 11, 2009 release of Iranian-American journalist and writer Roxana Saberi, who had been held since January 2009.
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SENEGAL 5/8/09: Editor El Malick Seck released
PEN welcomes the news that 24 Heures Chrono editor El Malick Seck, who was serving a three-and-a-half year sentence for “offending the head of state” and defaming a government minister, has been released from prison.
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MEXICO 5/6/09: Journalist killed on World Press Freedom Day
PEN protests in the strongest possible terms the murder of yet another Mexican journalist, Carlos Ortega Samper of El Tiempo de Durango, who was shot dead on May 3, 2009—World Press Freedom Day.
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SRI LANKA 5/1/09: Newspaper editor released
PEN welcomes the release of newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan on April 24, 2009.
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TURKEY 4/30/09: Book on trial for "humiliation" of religion
PEN is concerned by the opening of trial proceedings on May 5, 2009, against the book Daughters of Allah by noted Turkish author Nedim Gürsel.
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ECUADOR 4/30/09: Call for release of Milton Chacaguasay
PEN renews its call for the release of La Verdad editor Milton Chacaguasay Flores, who has been imprisoned since November 2008 for allegedly libeling a judge.
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MYANMAR 4/28/09: Serious concerns for Zargana’s health
PEN is alarmed by reports that imprisoned leading comedian and poet Zargana is in poor health and has not been given full access to medical care and family visits.
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AZERBAIJAN 4/22/09: Journalists released from prison
PEN welcomes the release of journalists Sakit Zakhidov and Ali Hasanov, who were both granted amnesty.
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IRAN 4/21/09: American-Iranian journalist sentenced
PEN is seriously concerned by the eight-year prison sentence handed down to Iranian-American journalist and writer Roxana Saberi, and seeks information regarding the charges brought against her.
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VIETNAM 4/9/09: Concern for detained journalists
International PEN is alarmed by reports that imprisoned writers Nguyen Hoang Hai and Pham Thanh Nghien are at risk of ill-treatment, in poor health, and denied full access to family visits.
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MEXICO 4/2/09: Journalist and family threatened; fears for safety
PEN protests the threats issued against El Diario de los Altos editor Miguel Ángel Casillas in Jalisco State in March 2009.
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CHINA 3/27/09: Health concerns for jailed writers
PEN continues to be alarmed by the large number of detained writers in China suffering from serious illnesses and lack of appropriate medical care.
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IRAN 3/24/09: Detained Internet writer dies under suspicious circumstances
PEN is shocked by the death of Internet writer Omidreza Mirsayafi while detained in Evin Prison, Tehran.
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CHINA 3/18/09: Two journalists released; health concerns for remaining prisoners
PEN welcomes the recent release of writers Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai, upon completion of their eight-year prison sentences.
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CHINA/TIBET 3/17/09: Internet writer detained without charges
PEN is seriously concerned by the detention of Kunchok Tsephel, a Tibetan Internet writer, who has reportedly been held without charge since February 26, 2009.
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SRI LANKA 3/12/09: Tamil journalists detained for one year, health concerns
PEN is seriously concerned by the continued detention of Tamil journalists V. Jasikaran and J. S. Tissainayagam, who have been held since March 2008.
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IRAN 3/12/09: American-Iranian journalist detained without charge
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Iranian-American journalist and writer Roxana Saberi, who has been held incommunicado without charge in Evin Prison, Tehran, since late January 2009.
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BELARUS 3/10/09: PEN Protests Seizure of Literary Magazine
On February 25, 2009, a district court in Brest, on the Polish-Belarus border, ordered the destruction of the most recent edition of the Belarusian language cultural magazine Arche on grounds of "extremism."
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SRI LANKA 3/4/09: Newspaper editor arrested and ill-treated
PEN is seriously concerned by the arrest of newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan under emergency legislation on February 26, 2009, apparently for his reporting.
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KENYA 2/24/09: PEN President and member assaulted by police
PEN protests the arrest and alleged police assault of Philo Ikonya and Fwamba N C Fwamba, president and member of Kenyan PEN, respectively, in Nairobi on February 18, 2009.
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THAILAND 2/24/09: Writer received Royal pardon
PEN welcomes the release of Australian writer Harry Nicolaides, who was granted a Royal pardon on February 19, 2009, and is now back in Australia.
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ERITREA 2/24/09: Dawit Isaac hospitalised, denied visits
PEN is deeply concerned by reports that the Eritrean-Swedish journalist and author Dawit Isaac, who has been detained incommunicado without charge for over seven years, was transferred to a military hospital on January 11, 2009.
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MYANMAR 2/18/09: Zargana’s sentence reduced to 35 years
PEN has learned that the 59-year prison sentence handed down to leading comedian and poet Zargana has been commuted by 24 years.
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VIETNAM 2/18/09: Professor and Internet writer detained, fears for health
PEN is seriously concerned by reports that professor and Internet writer Vu Van Hung is suffering from ill health and has been relocated to an unknown location.
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CHINA 2/17/09: Uighur historian released from prison
PEN welcomes the release of Uighur historian and writer Tohti Tunyaz on expiry of his 11-year prison sentence.
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UZBEKISTAN 2/13/09: 2009 Marks Tenth Year in Prison
On 19 February 2009, Uzbek writer and activist Mamadali Makhmudov will have been imprisoned for ten years, making him one of the longest-serving detained writers on International PEN's records.
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KAZAKHSTAN 2/13/09: Editor seized from hospital remains detained
PEN protests the detention of Ramazan Yesergepov, editor-in-chief of the weekly Alma-Ata Info, who was taken from his hospital bed on January 6, 2009 and remains held without charge.
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KENYA 2/11/09: Journalist murdered following police threats
PEN is shocked by the murder of Weekly Citizen journalist Francis Nyaruri, who disappeared on January 15, 2009 and whose decapitated body was found on January 29.
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VIETNAM 2/11/09: Detained writer ill-treated
International PEN is seriously concerned about reports that leading Internet writer, poet, human rights defender and member of the pro-democracy group Bloc 8406, Ho Thi Bich Khuong, has been ill-treated in prison and is in poor health.
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RUSSIA 1/22/09: Novaya Gazeta journalist and lawyer shot dead
PEN is shocked by the January 20, 2009 murders of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasiya Baburova.
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EGYPT 1/22/09: Writer and activist detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the imprisonment without charge or trial of novelist, blogger and activist Mosaad Suleiman Hassan (pen name: Mosaad Abu-Fajr), who has been held since December 26, 2007, for his peaceful political activism.
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VENEZUELA 1/21/09: Editor and columnist shot dead
International PEN condemns the murder of newspaper editor and columnist Orel Zambrano, who was shot dead on January 16, 2009.
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VIETNAM 1/21/09: Journalist released
PEN welcomes the release of journalist Nguyen Viet Chien on January 17, 2009, as part of a presidential amnesty to mark the Lunar New Year.
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THAILAND 1/20/09: Writer sentenced for insulting the monarchy
PEN protests the three-year prison sentence handed down to Australian writer Harry Nicolaides for "lèse-majesté" (insulting the monarchy) in his 2005 novel Verisimilitude.
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UZBEKISTAN 1/20/09: PEN Members Called to Support Imprisoned Journalist
PEN is calling for the release of Salijon Abdurahmanov, arrested in June 2008 and sentenced in October 2008 to ten years in prison.
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IRAN 1/15/09: Serious concern for detained Iranian-Canadian journalist Hossein Derakhshan
International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Iranian-Canadian journalist and blogger Hossein Derakhshan, who has been held since November 1, 2008.
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CAMEROON 1/14/09: Newspaper publisher sentenced to three years
International PEN protests the three-year prison sentence and fine given to newspaper journalist and publisher Lewis Medjo.
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SAUDI ARABIA 1/14/09: Reformist academic and writer Matrook Al-Faleh released
International PEN welcomes the January 10, 2009 release of leading reformist and academic Professor Matrook Al-Faleh
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SRI LANKA 1/13/09: Writers called to protest murder of editor Lasantha Wickramatunga
International PEN is outraged by the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga, editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, who was shot and killed on January 8, 2009.
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ECUADOR 12/17/08: Editor given 10 months in prison
International PEN protests the 10-month prison sentence handed to editor Milton Chacaguasay Flores on November 15, 2008 for allegedly libeling a judge.
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D.R. CONGO 12/16/08: L'Interprète journalists sentenced
PEN protests the ten- and nine-month prison sentences handed down to L'interprète editor Nsimba Embete Ponte and his assistant Davin Ntondo Nzovuangu respectively on November 27, for allegedly “insulting the head of state.”
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MYANMAR 12/16/08: Former journalist and political leader released
International PEN welcomes the December 11, 2008 release of former journalist and member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Ohn Kyaing.
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CHINA 12/10/08: Prominent dissident writer Liu Xiaobo detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of prominent dissident writer Liu Xiaobo, former President and Board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, who was arrested on December 8, 2008.
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CHINA 12/2/08: Internet writer and activist detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Internet writer and activist Guo Quan, who has reportedly been held on charges of “inciting subversion” since November 13, 2008.
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MYANMAR 11/28/08: Zargana sentenced to total of 59 years
PEN is appalled by the additional 14-year prison term handed down to leading comedian and poet Zargana on November 27, 2008, added to the 45-year sentence he received a week earlier as part of a major judicial crackdown on dissent.
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MYANMAR 11/25/08: Journalist Zaw Thet Htwe sentenced
PEN protests the 15-year prison sentence handed down to journalist Zaw Thet Htwe on November 21, 2008 under the Electronics Act.
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CHINA 11/25/08: Dissident writer Chen Daojun sentenced
PEN strongly protests the three-year prison sentence handed down to dissident writer and journalist Chen Daojun for “inciting subversion of state power” in his online articles.
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NIGERIA 11/25/08: Second U.S.-based Internet writer released
PEN welcomes the release without charge of U.S.-based Internet writer Emmanuel Emeka Asiwe, who was held incommunicado from October 28 to November 4, 2008 due to his critical reporting on Nigeria.
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UZBEKISTAN 11/21/08: Poet Yusuf Juma ill-treated in prison
PEN is concerned by reports that Uzbek poet Yusuf Juma, who was arrested in December 2007 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment, is suffering ill-treatment in prison.
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MYANMAR 11/21/08: Comedian and poet Zargana sentenced to 45 years
PEN is stunned by the 45-year prison sentence handed down to poet and comedian Zargana on November 21, 2008, for violating the Electronics Act, which regulates electronic communications.
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MYANMAR 11/18/08: Musician Win Maw sentenced
PEN strongly protests the six-year prison sentence handed down to leading Burmese musician Win Maw.
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CAMEROON 11/12/08: Newspaper publisher to be detained until 2009
PEN protests the detention of newspaper journalist and publisher Lewis Medjo on charges of “publishing false news.”
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MYANMAR 11/11/08: Two-year sentence for leading poet
PEN strongly protests the two-year prison sentence handed down to leading poet Saw Wei for a poem critical of the authorities.
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MALAYSIA 11/11/08 : Internet writer released
PEN welcomes the release on November 7, 2008 of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder and editor of the web site Malaysia Today, after a high court judge ruled that his detention was illegal.
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SAUDI ARABIA 11/10/08: Reformist academic and writer Matrook Al-Faleh detained without charge
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of leading reformist and academic Professor Matrook Al-Faleh, who has been held without charge since May 19, 2008.
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NEPAL 11/5/08: Anniversary action for murdered journalist Birendra Shah
PEN is appalled that one year after the murder of Nepalese freelance journalist Birendra Shah, those identified as being responsible for his death have still not been brought to justice.
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NIGERIA 11/4/08: One Internet writer released, another detained
PEN welcomes the provisional release of the U.S.-based Internet writer Jonathan Elendu, who was held incommunicado without charge in Abuja from October 17 to October 28, 2008.
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IRAN 11/4/08: 11-year sentence upheld for Kurdish journalist
PEN strongly protests the decision of the Tehran Appeal Court to uphold the 11-year prison sentence handed down to Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand on October 23, 2008.
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MYANMAR 11/3/08: Former journalist and political leader re-arrested
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of former journalist and member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Ohn Kyaing on October 1, 2008.
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IRAN 11/3/08: Journalist released from prison
PEN welcomes the release of leading journalist and human rights defender Emadeddin Baqi, on expiry of his sentence. Baqi was sentenced to one year in prison in October 2007 for his critical writings and his activities as president of the Society for the Defence of Prisoners’ Rights, an organization that he founded in 2003.
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NIGERIA 10/29/08: Blogger detained incommunicado, fears for health
PEN protests the detention of the U.S.-based blogger Jonathan Elendu, who has been held incommunicado without charge in Abuja since October 17, 2008.
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AZERBAIJAN 10/28/08: Poet assaulted in prison
PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of dissident poet Sakit Mirza Zakhidov, following reports that he was taken out of a prison medical centre prematurely and was assaulted upon his return to Penitentiary #14 in Baku, where he is serving a three-year sentence.
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SUDAN 10/27/08: Darfuri journalist released and is now in the USA
PEN welcomes the release of Al-Ghali Yahya Shegifat, journalist and president of the Association of Darfur Journalists.
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ITALY 10/23/08: Author threatened with death
PEN is concerned by reports that mafia members in Italy who were denounced in Roberto Saviano’s novel Gomorra have reportedly announced he will be assassinated by Christmas.
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AFGHANISTAN 10/22/08: Detained journalist’s death sentence commuted to 20 year prison sentence
PEN is outraged by the twenty-year sentence handed down to journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh by a Kabul Appeal court on October 21, 2008, which commuted the death sentence, but upheld his conviction for "blasphemy."
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VIETNAM 10/20/08: Two journalists sentenced
PEN is outraged by the two-year prison sentence imposed on Nguyen Viet Chien and the two-year noncustodial sentence handed down to Nguyen Van Hai, both targeted for their reporting on a major corruption case.
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CHINA 10/15/08: Tibetan writer Rangjung detained without charges
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Rangjung, a Tibetan writer, singer and television presenter, who has reportedly been held without charge since September 11, 2008.
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MEXICO 10/15/08: Editor abducted and shot dead
PEN is shocked by the murder of Michoacán-based newspaper editor Miguel Angel Villagómez Valle on October 9, 2008.
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IRAN 10/8/08: Death sentence overturned, retrial ordered
PEN welcomes the overturned death sentence of Iranian Kurdish journalist, writer and human rights activist Adnan Hassanpour.
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CHINA 10/8/08: Uighur journalist and writer detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Uighur journalist and poet Mehbube Ablesh, who was arrested in August 2008, after posting two critical articles online.
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CAMEROON 10/7/08: Songwriter sentenced to three years’ imprisonment
PEN protests the three-year prison sentence and exorbitant fine imposed on the well known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo) on September 24, 2008 for allegedly taking part in anti-government riots.
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SENEGAL 10/3/08: Editor sentenced to three years’ imprisonment
PEN is outraged by the three-year prison sentence imposed on El Malick Seck, editor of the Dakar daily 24 Heures Chrono, on September 12, 2008 for a piece implicating President Abdoulaye Wade in money laundering
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BURUNDI 10/2/08: Online editor jailed for defamation
PEN protests the three-week detention on defamation charges of Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, editor of the online press agency Net Press, who was arrested on September 11, 2008.
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AFGHANISTAN 10/1/08: Heavy sentences for publishers
PEN strongly protests the twenty-year prison sentence handed down to journalist Ahmed Ghous Zalmai, and the five-year sentence against publisher Mohammad Ateef Noori, for publishing a translation of the Koran.
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MALAYSIA 9/29/08: Internet writer detained under security act
PEN protests the detention of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder and editor of the web site Malaysia Today, who was sentenced without trial to two years in prison on September 22, 2008 for his critical writings published online.
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MOROCCO 9/29/08: Internet writer cleared on appeal
PEN welcomes the verdict of a Moroccan court of appeal to overturn the two-year sentence against Internet writer Mohammed Erraji on September 18, 2008.
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MYANMAR 9/25/08: Journalist Win Tin released
PEN welcomes the release of veteran journalist and prodemocracy activist Win Tin, who has been imprisoned for over 19 years, one of the longest serving prisoners on PEN’s records.
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VIETNAM 9/25/08: Crackdown on dissidents
PEN is alarmed about an apparent crackdown on dissent in Vietnam, in which a number of writers have been arrested.
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MOROCCO 9/17/08: Internet writer released, pending appeal
PEN welcomes the release, pending appeal, of Internet writer Mohammed Erraji on September 10, 2008.
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THAILAND 9/16/08: Writer detained for insulting the monarchy
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Australian writer Harry Nicolaides, who is charged with “lèse-majesté”or “insulting the monarchy” for his 2005 novel Verisimilitude.
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MOROCCO 9/10/08: Internet writer imprisoned for insult
PEN protests the two-year prison sentence and fine of 5,000 dirhams handed down to Internet writer Mohammed Erraji on September 8, 2008 for criticizing King Mohammed in an online article.
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SRI LANKA 9/10/08: Tamil journalists detained
PEN protests the detention of Tamil journalists V. Jasikaran and J. S. Tissainayagam, who have been held for six months under terrorist legislation, apparently for their critical writings.
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EGYPT 9/8/08: Internet writer Kareem Amer ill-treated
PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of Internet writer Kareem Amer following reports that he has been ill-treated in detention at Borg Alarab prison, where he is serving his four-year sentence.
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CHINA 9/8/08: Dissident writer Hu Shigen released
PEN welcomes the release of University lecturer, political activist and dissident writer Hu Shigen on August 26, 2008, after spending sixteen years and three months in prison.
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RUSSIA 9/3/08: Web Site Owner Shot Dead
International PEN is shocked by the death of web site owner Magomed Yevloyev from a gunshot wound to the head while he was in police custody on August 31.
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MYANMAR 9/3/08: Journalist Win Tin’s health worsens
PEN is extremely concerned for the health of veteran journalist and pro-democracy activist Win Tin, who has been imprisoned for over 19 years, one of the longest serving prisoners on PEN’s records.
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GAMBIA 8/26/08: Fatou Jaw Manneh given prison sentence; fined and released
PEN protests the four-year prison sentence for "sedition" handed to freelance journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh on August 18, 2008 for writing articles critical of the president.
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MEXICO 8/21/08: Anthropologist and activist murdered
PEN is shocked by the murder of the anthropologist, author and indigenous rights activist Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez Ávila, who was apparently beaten to death in Guerrero, Southern Mexico, on July 26, 2008.
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SYRIA 8/20/08: Writer and academic Aref Dalila released
PEN welcomes the release of Dr. Aref Dalila, leading economist, writer, and dissident, who was freed on August 7, 2008, after seven years in prison.
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MYANMAR 8/20/08: Zargana and Zaw Thet Htwe charged
PEN is seriously concerned about the charges made against comedian and poet Maung Thura (a.k.a. "Zargana") and journalist Zaw Thet Htwe.
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UZBEKISTAN 8/14/08: Journalist imprisoned since June
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of independent journalist and human-rights defender Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov, who was arrested by the police in early June 2008.
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VIETNAM 8/13/08: Internet writer Bui Kim Thành released
PEN welcomes the release on July 11, 2008, of Bui Kim Thành, Internet writer, dissident, and lawyer, after being held for five months in psychiatric detention, apparently without any medical basis.
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CAMEROON 8/7/08: Songwriter detained for lyrics
PEN protests the four-month detention of the well-known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo), reportedly for a song he wrote criticizing controversial constitutional amendments in Cameroon.
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VIETNAM 7/24/08: Death of dissident and spiritual leader Thich Huyen Quang
PEN mourns the death of Buddhist leader, writer and dissident, Venerable Thich Huyen Quang, on July 5, 2008, at the age of 87 after a long illness.
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CHINA 7/24/08: Dissident writer rearrested
PEN protests the rearrest of dissident writer and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center Du Daobin, who was detained on July 21, 2008, for apparently violating the conditions of his probation.
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MEXICO 7/9/08: Journalist detained for two months
PEN protests the two-month detention of Jesús Lemus Barajas, journalist and director of the daily newspaper El Tiempo, based in La Piedad, Michoacán state, on charges of drug trafficking.
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AZERBAIJAN 7/9/08: Ten-year sentence for editor
PEN is seriously concerned by the 10-year sentence passed on June 24, 2008, at a closed trial to Novruzali Mamedov, editor of the Talysh-minority-language newspaper and head of the Talysh Cultural Center.
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IRAN 7/3/08: Kurdish journalist sentenced to 11 years
PEN is shocked by the 11-year prison sentence handed down to Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand on June 22, 2008, on charges of "acting against national security" for his Kurdish-rights activism.
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D.R. CONGO 7/2/08: L'Interprète journalists charged, jailed; health concerns
PEN protests the months-long illegal pretrial detention of L'interprète editor Nsimba Embete Ponte and his assistant Davin Ntondo Nzovuangu.
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MYANMAR 6/26/08: Journalist detained after distributing aid to cyclone victims
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of journalist Zaw Thet Htwe, who was arrested on June 13, 2008, after helping cyclone victims in the Irrawady Delta.
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AFGHANISTAN 6/24/08: More international pressure needed for detained journalist
PEN remains deeply concerned about the continuing delay in the hearing of journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh's appeal against a death sentence for the alleged crime of "blasphemy."
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ZIMBABWE 6/20/08: Satirical plays attacked and banned
PEN strongly protests attacks against the cast and crew of satirical play The Crocodile of Zambezi and its banning by the police in Bulawayo.
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TURKEY 6/20/08: Publisher Sentenced Under Article 301
PEN condemns the sentencing of Turkish publisher Ragip Zarakolu to a five-month sentence, commuted to a fine, for "insulting the state" under the notorious Article 301.
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CHINA 6/17/08: Dissident writer Chen Daojun charged
PEN is seriously concerned about the charges of "inciting splittism" against dissident writer and journalist Chen Daojun, who was detained on May 9, 2008, near the city of Chengdu, Sichuan province.
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VENEZUELA 6/5/08: Newspaper vice president shot dead
PEN condemns the murder of Pierre Fould Gerges, vice-president of Reporte Diario de la Economía, who was shot dead on June 2, 2008.
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IRAN 6/11/08: Journalist’s trial opens amid health concerns
PEN is seriously concerned for the health of Iranian Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, who reportedly suffered a stroke in Evin prison on May 19, 2008, and has been denied access to adequate medical care.
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IRAN 6/10/08: Afghan Women's Rights journalist freed
PEN welcomes the release of editor Ali Muhaqiq Nasab on May 28, 2008. Nasab had been held by without charge in Iran since May 4, 2008.
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MYANMAR 6/9/08: Comedian and poet Zargana arrested
PEN is gravely concerned for the safety of poet and comedian Zargana, who was arrested on June 4, 2008, after leading a private effort to deliver aid to cyclone victims.
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AFGHANISTAN 6/6/08: Afghan journalist remains detained
PEN is deeply concerned by the delay in the hearing of journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh's appeal against a death sentence for the alleged crime of "blasphemy."
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SUDAN 6/2/08: Darfuri journalist detained since May 14
PEN protests the two-week detention of Al-Ghali Yahya Shegifat, journalist and president of the Association of Darfur Journalists.
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ZIMBABWE 6/2/08: Frank Chikowore released on bail
PEN welcomes the May 2 release of freelance journalist and Internet writer Frank Chikowore after more than two weeks in prison.
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UZBEKISTAN 5/22/08: Poet Yusuf Juma detained
PEN is concerned by reports that Uzbek poet Yusuf Juma, who was arrested in December 2007, is suffering ill-treatment in prison.
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CHINA 5/21/08: Dissident writer Chen Daojun detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention and well-being of dissident writer and journalist Chen Daojun, who was detained on May 9, 2008, near the city of Chengdu, Sichuan province.
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CHINA 5/21/08: Dissident writer Zhou Yuanzhi released
PEN welcomes the release of dissident writer and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center Zhou Yuanzhi on May 15, 2008.
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CHINA 5/20/08:Two journalists sentenced
PEN is seriously concerned by the conviction of freelance journalists Qi Chonghuai and He Yanjie, who were convicted and sentenced to four and two years in prison respectively on May 13, 2008, for blackmail and extortion.
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CHINA 5/15/08: Dissident writer’s health failing
PEN is deeply concerned by recent reports of the deteriorating health of imprisoned activist and dissident writer Hu Jia, who is serving a three-and-a-half year sentence for "inciting subversion of state power" for his critical writings and dissident activities.
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MYANMAR 5/15/08: Musician Win Maw arrested
PEN is gravely concerned for the well-being of leading Burmese musician Win Maw, who was arrested on November 27, 2007, and is said to be seriously ill as a result of torture in detention.
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IRAN 5/15/08: Imprisoned journalist’s health critical
PEN is seriously concerned about reports that leading journalist and human-rights defender Emadeddin Baqi has suffered another heart attack in prison on May 7, 2008.
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PERU 5/13/08: Poet Melissa Rocío Patiño Hinostroza released
PEN welcomes the release pending trial of the 20-year-old poet Melissa Rocío Patiño Hinostroza, who was released from maximum-security prison on May 8, after 70 days’ detention.
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CHINA 5/7/08: Dissident writer Zhou Yuanzhi detained
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of dissident writer and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center Zhou Yuanzhi, who was arrested on May 3, 2008, on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power."
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SAUDI ARABIA 5/6/08: Internet writer Amad Fouad Al-Farhan released
PEN welcomes the release of Internet writer Amad Fouad Al-Farhan on the morning of April 26, 2008, after he spent 145 days in prison.
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VIETNAM 4/30/08: Internet writer and dissident returned to psychiatric detention
PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of Bui Kim Thành, Internet writer, dissident, and lawyer, who has reportedly been held in psychiatric detention since March 6, 2008, apparently without any medical basis.
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PERU 4/25/08: Two months on, young poet still detained on terrorism charges
PEN protests in the strongest terms the continuing imprisonment of the 20-year-old poet Melissa Rocío Patiño Hinostroza.
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RUSSIA 4/24/08: Pretrial detention of editor Nikolai Andrushchenko extended
PEN protests the extended detention of Nikolai Andrushchenko, co-founder and editor of the newspaper Novy Peterburg, who was due for release on March 21, 2008.
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CHINA 4/23/08: Tibetan Internet writer Jamyang Kyi detained without charges
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Jamyang Kyi, prominent Tibetan singer and a songwriter, Internet writer, and feminist activist, who has reportedly been held without charge since April 1, 2008.
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ZIMBABWE 4/22/08: Journalist Frank Chikowore charged but remains detained
International PEN protests the continuing detention of freelance journalist and Internet writer Frank Chikowore, who was charged with "public violence" on April 21, 2008, almost a week after his arrest.
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PERU 4/17/08: Twenty-year-old poet detained on terrorism charges
PEN strongly protests the detention since February of the poet Melissa Rocío Patiño Hinostroza on charges of terrorism.
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D.R. CONGO 4/11/08: Newspaper editor detained incommunicado for five weeks
Nsimba Embete Ponte, editor of the privately owned newspaper L'Interprète, based in Kinshasa, has been detained since March 7, 2008, for no known reason.
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CHINA 4/7/08: Activist and dissident writer Hu Jia sentenced to 3.5 years in prison
PEN is shocked by the conviction of activist and dissident Hu Jia, who was handed a three-and-a-half-year sentence on April 3, 2008, for "inciting subversion of state power" with his critical writings and dissident activities.
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SAUDI ARABIA 3/26/08: Cleric issues fatwa against writers for "heretical articles"
PEN is seriously concerned for the safety of writers Yousef Aba al-Khail and Abdullah bin Bejad Al-Otaibi following a fatwa issued against them on March 9, 2008.
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INDIA 3/20/08: Bangladeshi Writer Taslima Nasrin leaves India for Europe
PEN PEN continues to urge the Indian authorities to publicly condemn the violence and death threats against Taslima Nasrin, who left India for Europe on March 19, 2008.
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TURKEY 3/17/08: Fears that hearing will lead to sentencing of publisher Ragip Zarakolu
PEN fears that a trial hearing on April 8, 2008, will end with the sentencing, possibly to a prison term, of publisher Ragip Zarakolu, who is charged with “insult” under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
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IRAN 3/17/08: Editor of Afghan women's rights magazine arrested in Iran
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Ali Muhaqiq Nasab, editor of the Kabul-based monthly magazine Haqoq-e-Zan (Women's Rights), who has reportedly been held without charge in Iran since March 4, 2008.
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CUBA 3/13/08: Five years after 'Black Spring,' PEN calls for release of writers
PEN calls on the Cuban authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the 28 writers, journalists, and librarians imprisoned in violation of their rights.
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AZERBAIJAN 3/13/08: Journalist Faramaz Allahverdiyev receives death threats
PEN is alarmed by reports that newspaper journalist Faramaz Allahverdiyev (Nozruzoglu) has received death threats related to his writing.
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NIGER 3/13/08: Newspaper editor given one-month prison sentence
PEN protests the one-month prison sentence imposed on Aboubacar Gourouza, managing editor of L’Eveil Plus, on March 6, 2008, on charges of bringing the Niger justice system into disrepute.
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IRAN 3/11/08: Novelist Yaghoub Yadali sentence increased; risk of rearrest
PEN is greatly alarmed by the threat of rearrest of novelist Yaghoub Yadali. Sentenced on charges of “insult” in September 2007 to one year in prison, nine months of the term were suspended.
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TUNISIA 3/6/08: Human-rights activist and her husband briefly detained and assaulted
PEN protests the attack on journalist and human-rights activist Sihem Bensedrine and her husband, Omar Mestiri, editor and managing editor respectively of the online magazine Kalima, which is blocked within Tunisia.
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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 3/3/08: Newspaper editor sentenced to six months’ imprisonment released
PEN welcomes the release of Faustin Bambou, editor of the weekly Les Collines de l‘Oubangui, who was sentenced to six months in prison on defamation charges after an unfair trial in January 2008.
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BELARUS 2/28/08: Journalists arrested and beaten during demonstrations
PEN condemns the arrest of journalists during demonstrations in Belarus and calls on Belarus authorities to end attacks on the media.
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BELARUS 2/28/08: Editor Aliaksandar Zdzvizhkou released; conviction still stands
PEN welcomes the release of editor Aliaksandar Zdzvizhkou (Sdvizhkov), who was serving a three-year sentence for reprinting controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
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CHINA 2/26/08: Serious health concerns for writers Xu Wei, Jin Haike, Yang Zili & Zhang Honghai
PEN is seriously concerned by recent reports of deteriorating health and lack of sufficient medical treatment for detained writers Xu Wei, Jin Haike, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai, who are all serving lengthy sentences on subversion charges for their critical writings.
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CUBA 2/21/08: Three journalists released from prison and flown to Spain
PEN welcomes the release of journalists Alejandro González Raga and José Gabriel Ramón Castillo, and librarian Omar Pernet Hernández, who were freed from imprisonment in Cuba and immediately sent to Spain on February 16, 2008.
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NIGER 2/15/08: Newspaper editor & founder both sentenced to one month in prison for libel
International PEN protests the one-month prison sentence imposed on Ibrahim Souley and Soumana Idrissa Maiga, managing editor and founder respectively of the bimonthly publication L’Enquêteur, on charges of libel on February 8, 2008.
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IRAN 2/13/08: Writer and student leader detained; fears of ill treatment and health concerns
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of writer and activist Amin Ghazaei, who has been held incommunicado without charge since January 14, 2008.
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BELARUS 2/7/08: Editor Aliaksandar Zdzvizhkou sentenced to three-year imprisonment
PEN protests the three-year sentence imposed on editor Aliaksandar Zdzvizhkou (Sdvizhkov), who was arrested on January 18, 2008, for reprinting controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC 2/6/08: Newspaper editor sentenced to six months in prison in unfair trial
PEN protests the six-month prison sentence imposed on Faustin Bambou, editor of the privately owned weekly Les Collines de l‘Oubangui, on charges of libel, insult, and incitement to revolt on January 28, 2008.
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CHINA 2/6/08: Writer and human-rights activist sentenced to four years for subversion
PEN protests the four-year prison sentence handed down to writer and human-rights activist Lu Gengsong on February 5, 2008, for "inciting subversion of state power" for his critical writings published online.
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CHINA 2/6/08: Journalist Ching Cheong released
PEN welcomes the early release of Chinese journalist Ching Cheong and thanks all who campaigned on his behalf.
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AZERBAIJAN 1/31/08: Sentence against editor Eynulla Fatullayev upheld
PEN considers the continued detention of Eynulla Fatullayev to be a breach of international standards guaranteeing freedom of expression and calls for his immediate release.
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IVORY COAST 1/31/08: Activist given one-year prison sentence for opinion piece
PEN protests the arrest of Antoine Assalé Tiémoko, activist and occasional contributor to the daily Le Nouveau Réveil, was arrested on December 28, 2007.
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MYANMAR 1/30/08: Leading poet Saw Wei arrested for a poem critical of the authorities
International PEN is gravely concerned for the well-being of leading Burmese poet Saw Wei, who was arrested on January 22, 2008, for a poem critical of the authorities.
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SAUDI ARABIA 1/29/08: Internet writer Amad Fouad Al-Farhan detained without charge
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Internet writer Amad Fouad Al-Farhan, who has been held without charge since December 10, 2007.
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AFGHANISTAN 1/24/08: Journalist Sayed Parwez Kambakhsh sentenced to death for blasphemy
PEN is shocked by the death sentence handed down to journalist Sayed Parwez Kambakhsh on January 22, 2008, for blasphemy.
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CHINA 1/15/08: Dissident writer Wang Dejia released on bail
PEN welcomes the release of dissident writer Wang Dejia (a.k.a. Jing Chu), who was freed on bail on January 12, 2008, but remains concerned that he still faces charges.
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IRAN 1/15/08: Journalist and human-rights defender Emadeddin Baqi suffers heart attack in prison
PEN is deeply concerned about reports that leading journalist and human-rights defender Emadeddin Baqi suffered a heart attack in prison on December 26, 2007.
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CHINA 1/9/08: Activist and dissident writer Hu Jia detained; health concerns
PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of activist and dissident writer Hu Jia, who was arrested on December 27, 2007, on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power."
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AZERBAIJAN 1/3/08: Five journalists pardoned; four still imprisoned
PEN welcomes the release following a pardon by the Azerbaijani president of five journalists, including honorary member of English PEN Rafiq Tagi on December 28, 2007.
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