Authorities urged to abandon trial of two journalists

Reporters Without Borders today called on the authorities to call off the trial of the editor of Al-Wasat, Bahrain's leading independent daily, and one of its reporters, who are facing six months in prison or a fine of 1,000 dinars (about 2,600 euros), or both, for reporting in March that three suspected terrorists had been released on bail. Editor Mansour Al-Jamri and reporter Hussein Khalaf are facing sentences that are disproportionate to the alleged offence, the organisation said. The authorities claim that they did not have the necessary authorisation from the prosecutor's office to publish information about the alleged terrorists. Many journalists and human rights activists attended the opening of their trial on 21 June. The next hearing is due to take place tomorrow. King Hamad ben Issa Al-Khalifa enacted a new press law in November 2002 guaranteeing the right to "express one's opinion and to disseminate it orally or in writing." However, offences "against the Islamic faith, the unity of the people and the person of the king," and "inciting division or sectarianism" are punishable by six months to five years in prison. After objections from the Bahraini Centre for Human Rights and an independent union of Bahraini journalists that is in the process of formation, the authorities announced that the new press law would be amended in consultation with journalists. Al-Wasat was found in September 2002, becoming Bahrain's third Arabic-language daily. The other dailies are subject to strict government control. Al-Wasat's editor lived in self-imposed exile in London for many years and was the spokesman of the opposition Bahrain Freedom Movement.