Security forces cordon off home of Yemen Times journalist

Reporters Without Borders today condemned the action of the security forces in surrounding the home of journalist Hassan al-Zaidi since the start of August, preventing him from leaving. The operation was undoubtedly intended to intimidate Zaidi, the organisation said, demanding an explanation. In a telephone call to his newspaper, the independent Yemen Times, Zaidi said he feared that he would be arrested soon. Two of his brothers, one aged 14, were already arrested about five days ago. Zaidi said the arrests were illegal and accused the security forces to taking his brothers hostage. The security forces claim they have put the journalist under surveillance because he belongs to the al-Zaidi tribe, which recently entered into a dispute with the government, prompting a wave of arrests of tribal members since the start of August. However, Zaidi said he had been confined to his home because of his articles and not because of his membership of the al-Zaidi tribe. He has been arrested several times in recent years because of his articles in the Yemen Times, which comes out twice a week, but he has never been prosecuted.