New Developments in “Al-Thaqafiyah” Trial [Archives:2000/30/Local News]

The issue of “Al-Thaqafiyah” weekly has recently witnessed a dangerous precipitation as the ruling Congress (PGC) and its opponent, the Yemeni Reform Congregation (YRC) got engaged in a media war over the case. Last Friday, pro-YRC mosque-preachers assailed the Minister of Information, Abdulrahman Al-Akwa’, alleging an illegal meddling to prevent the South-east Capital Court from detaining Sameer Al-Yousfi, editor-in-chief of “Al-Thaqafiyah”. Then the court adjourned the case on the grounds that it was not within its jurisdiction.
A statement signed by 22 YRC senior members strongly lashed out at “Al-Thaqafiyah” and the late writer Mohammed Abdulwali, accusing the government of siding with those who defame values and beliefs of the Yemeni people. The government vehemently counterattacked the most senior signatory : Shaikh Abdulmajeed Al-Zindani, the spiritual leader of the YRC.
The case thus has taken a new trend last Thursday when “Al-Sahwa” weekly, organ of Islah party charged “Al-Hikma” magazine issued by Yemeni Writers’ Union, of publishing blasphemous works in 1999, publishing excerpts of them.
The S.E. Capital Court had last Sunday refused defenses by Yousfi’s lawyer and decided to go ahead with its procedures but Yousfi’s lawyers appealed the ruling at the Capital Court of Appeal.
Yemeni Journalists’ Union last Monday held a meeting to express solidarity with Al-Yousfi’s lawyer, Dr. Mohammed Al-Mikhlafi following an attempted attack. Mikhlafi had come under an attempted murder while he was leaving the court on July 16. The assailants were a group of “Al-Eiman” University students and some YRC elements. A number of participants hinted that the issue was was taking political dimensions. Such developments is a reflection of a political conflict the ruling party its ally, Islah.
Mr Hassan Al-Udaini, Chief Editor of “Al-Usboa ” weekly, said it was not so important now how to solve this particular case but the problem was that such accusations might extend to other writers.

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