Release of two editors arrested for reprinting Mohammed cartoons

Reporters Without Borders today welcomed the release of Jihad Momani, the editor of the weekly Shihan, and Hisham al-Khalidi, the editor of the weekly Al-Mehwar, after they appeared in court yesterday on charges of “violating religious feelings” by reprinting the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that have set off an outcry in the Muslim world. The two journalists were detained for questioning on 4 February on the orders of prosecutor Saber El Rawashdeh. They are to appear in court again in the course of the next 10 days and face either three months in prison or a fine. Three of the controversial Mohammed cartoons were reprinted in Shihan alongside an appeal for “reason” on the part of Muslims throughout the world. Al Mehwar put all 12 of the cartoons in a small box beside an article about the outcry they have caused.