Almotamer.net’s attackers unknown [Archives:2005/808/Front Page]
Investigations have still been unable to identify the perpetrators who used a hand grenade and gunfire to attack the almotamer.net's headquarters office in Sana'a on Jan. 13.
Extremist elements in the Iman University are suspected, but no formal charges were laid by the time the newspaper went to the press.
Meanwhile, the local and international community continued to condemn the attack and stand in solidarity with the electronic news provider's staff members.
Several letters of support were received from within the country and abroad condemning the attack and naming it an 'assault against freedom of expression'.
Nezar Al-Abbadi, the Editor of almotamar.net, said that the attack took place around 10.30 Thursday night when Abdullah Al-Hadrami, Editor-in-Chief, Nezar Al-Abbadi, Editor, Ameen Al-Awadhi, Assistant, and Majed Abdul Hammed, Assistant, were all in the building.
Nezar said, “The Editor-in-Chief and I were in the back room and we suddenly heard shots being fired very close down the hallway.
The Editor-in Chief wanted to go out and see what was happening when suddenly we heard an explosion, which was a grenade that went off.
We looked out to see and saw only a few meters away where the grenade exploded. Those who did it had already run away.”
Al-Abbadi noted, “My first suspects are people from Al-Iman University because they threatened us a week ago on the Internet”.
Al-Motamar reported that he believes armed students are preparing to create violence against the government due to its plans for economic reform.
“The occasion is economic reform, but they are really against the relationship between the US government and the Yemeni government. They called us unbelievers and threatened to attack us.
“We have special sources inside the Al-Iman University, so we got the information inside the university. It was confirmed that they are becoming armed and preparing to act against the economic reforms. No one has claimed responsibility of the attack.”
About almotamar.net
Al-Abbadi said “Al-Motamar represents the GPC, but it is a new style of addressing issues to an audience, mostly outside of Yemen. Although it is a GPC site, we have the freedom to generate plans and do what we feel is right to write about. It is a unique step in Yemen, and it is to show the world what is happening in Yemen.
“We always write against terrorism, we call for democracy, the rights of women, human rights and against extremists. It is important to communicate with other countries and cultures and build bridges.
“They [extremists] might see us as something the US wants Yemen to do, but we believe we are developing ideas in Yemen and trying to bring them to the public and the audience outside of Yemen. The values are not American but are set to benefit Yemen.”
Condemnation from all
All political parties in Yemen, including the opposition Islah and Yemeni Socialist Parties condemned the attack and called upon the authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
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