After 255 days in pretrial detention, journalist Michel Kilo's trial is postponed again

Reporters Without Borders reiterated his call for the release of journalist and writer Michel Kilo after his trail was postponed for the second time today. A new hearing has been set for 19 February. “Kilo is 67 years old and has now been held for more than nine months awaiting trial,” the press freedom organisation said. “There is no justification for his detention, which seems to be the prelude to a sham trial. This journalist is facing the possibility of spending the rest of his days in prison just for expressing his views.” Kilo was arrested on 14 May 2006 after signing a joint statement by intellectuals from Syria and Lebanon called “Beirut-Damascus, Damascus-Beirut,” which called for a change in the relations between the two countries. He has been charged with inciting “religious and racial divisions,” publishing “mendacious and exaggerated reports with the aim of discrediting the government” and “defaming the president and the courts.” He should have been released on bail on 19 October but an investigating judge brought new charges against him in order to keep him in custody. His trial began on 31 October 2006 but was adjourned the same day to permit examination of various petitions introduced by his defence lawyers. These petitions were rejected by the Damascus appeal court on 19 December. Reporters Without Borders established a system of sponsorship 16 years ago in which international media are encouraged to adopt imprisoned journalists. More than 200 news organisations throughout the world are currently supporting journalists by regularly calling on the authorities to release them and by publicising their cases. Kilo has been adopted by Pèlerin, the Almería Press Association, the Calafell City Hall and various forums. Sign the petition calling for Michel Kilo's release