Journalist and blogger arrested after they covered opposition demonstration

Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of freelance journalist Mohamed Shaheeb and blogger Hilath Rasheed, who were arrested today for covering an opposition demonstration yesterday against President Mohamed Nasheed. “Mohamed Shaheeb and Hiliath Rasheed are not criminals,” Reporters Without Borders said. “They are both media professional who are recognised in their fields. It would be intolerable if the sole reason for their detention was their presence at a demonstration yesterday outside the president’s office. We call for an explanation of these arrests.” Shaheeb, who works part-time for radio Sun FM, was already arrested in 1997, Amnesty International said.