IPI Condemns Harassment and Intimidation of Yemeni Journalists [Archives:2006/942/Reportage]

VIENNA, April 28 – The International Press Institute (IPI) strongly condemned the ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation against two journalists in Yemen, namely Abed Al-Mahthari, editor-in-chief of the independent weekly Al Deyar and Jamal Amer, editor-in-chief of Al Wasat.

According to IPI statement published in its website, Abed Al-Mahthari remains in hiding after escaping an attack by armed assailants on 19 April. Since 2004, Al-Mahthari has been investigating and reporting on alleged arms trafficking in northern Yemen near the Saudi Arabia border. In May of 2004, after receiving two death threats, Al-Mahthari was forced to temper his

reporting but has since renewed his investigations.

In recent weeks, Al-Mahthari has reported on alleged corruption of security forces and cooperation with arms dealers, the threats against him are thought to be in connection with these reports. On the evening of 19 April, Al-Mahthari received a call from an unidentified source warning that he would be killed that night.

Al-Mahthari averted the attack by having a friend drive his car away from his family home. The car was followed by two men, driving a military style vehicle with a private license plate. The assailants followed the driver of Al-Mahthari's car to his home, where they smashed down the driver's front door.

They then looked for Al-Mahthari at the Al Thawra publishing house. When the assailants were unable to find him they returned to Al-Mahthari's car, took several items from within it and then smashed it with weapons they had been carrying.

Although the assailants were identified by several witnesses who saw them attack the vehicle, the two have not been arrested and Al-Mahthari remains in hiding.

A campaign of intimidation is also being waged against Jamal Amer. Al Wasat released a statement on 26 April voicing concern that Amer's movements and activities have been closely observed since his August kidnapping. On 23 August 2005 Amer was kidnapped by armed assailants who threatened to kill him if his newspaper continued to publish articles about corruption and abuse of power in the government.

The 26 April Al Wasat statement was released shortly after a group of

individuals, led by a political security officer, visited the street of Amer's family home, inquiring about his apartment building, the license plate number of his vehicle and the names of his children's school.

Amer, who is currently in the United States as part of the International Visitors Program has become the victim of a smear campaign attempting to discredit him and the critical information reported by his newspaper.

Articles published this week in state-controlled publications have accused Amer of being connected to Israel's intelligence organization, of acting as an “agent of the West”” and of working to “”meet the needs of the imperialist opposition forces abroad.””

Commenting on the action being taken against Al-Mahthari and Amer