Al-Jazeera journalist facing possible death sentence for high treason

Reporters Without Borders is shocked by an Al-Jazeera report that one of its journalists, Kamel Al-Tallou', a British citizen of Libyan origin, is to be tried by a special court in Tripoli tomorrow on a charge of high treason. There are concerns that Muammar Gaddafi has already ordered the court to sentence him to death and then execute him at once. “This is appalling and outrageous,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We urge the Libyan authorities to be lenient with this journalist. Gaddafi has already done enough harm to the Libyan press without getting blood on his hands as well. Tallou' must be freed at once. The international community must intercede and demand his release.” Tallou' was arrested on 19 March near the western town of Zawiya with three other Al-Jazeera journalists who have since been released: Lotfi Messaoudi, a Tunisian freed on 31 March; Ahmed Vall Ould el-Dine, a Mauritanian freed on 11 April, and Ammar Al-Hamdane, a Norwegian freed on 14 April.