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PENINTERNATIONALCASELISTOFPERSECUTEDWRITERS

January-June2016

PENInternationalKoopsMillMews

162-164AbbeyStreetLondonWC1V6ERUnitedKingdom

Tel:+4402074050338Fax:+4402074050339

e-mail:info@pen-international.orgwebsite:www.pen-international.org

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PENINTERNATIONALCHARTER

ThePENCharterwasapprovedatthe1948PENCongressinCopenhagen.

PENaffirmsthat:

1. Literatureknowsnofrontiersandmustremaincommoncurrencyamongpeople inspiteofpoliticalorinternationalupheavals.

2. Inallcircumstances,andparticularly intimeofwar,worksofart,thepatrimonyofhumanityatlarge,shouldbeleftuntouchedbynationalorpoliticalpassion.

3. MembersofPENshouldatalltimesusewhatinfluencetheyhaveinfavourofgoodunderstandingandmutual respectbetweennations; theypledge themselves todotheirutmosttodispelrace,classandnationalhatreds,andtochampiontheidealofonehumanitylivinginpeaceinoneworld.

4. PEN stands for the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within eachnation and between all nations, and members pledge themselves to oppose anyform of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community towhichtheybelong,aswellasthroughouttheworldwhereverthis ispossible. PENdeclares for a free press and opposes arbitrary censorship in time of peace. Itbelieves that thenecessaryadvanceof theworld towardsamorehighlyorganizedpolitical and economic order renders a free criticism of governments,administrations and institutions imperative. And since freedom implies voluntaryrestraint, members pledge themselves to oppose such evils of a free press asmendaciouspublication,deliberatefalsehoodanddistortionoffactsforpoliticalandpersonalends.

MembershipofPENisopentoallqualifiedwriters,editorsandtranslatorswhosubscribetotheseaims,withoutregardtonationality,ethnicorigin,language,colourorreligion.

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PENINTERNATIONAL’sFreedomtoWriteProgramme

PENInternationalpromotesliteratureandfreedomofexpressionandisgovernedbythePENCharterandtheprinciplesitembodies:unhamperedtransmissionofthoughtwithineachnationandbetweenallnations.FoundedinLondonin1921,PENInternational–PEN’sSecretariat–connectsaninternationalcommunityofwriters.Itisaforumwherewritersmeetfreelytodiscusstheirwork;itisalsoavoicespeakingoutforwriterssilencedintheirowncountries.ThroughCentresinover100countries,PENoperatesonfivecontinents.PENInternationalisanon-politicalorganisationwhichholdsSpecialConsultativeStatusattheUNandAssociateStatusatUNESCO.PENInternationalisaregisteredcharityinEnglandandWaleswithregistrationnumber1117088.www.pen-international.org.

TheWriters in Prison Committee of PEN International was set up in 1960 as a result of mountingconcernaboutattemptstosilencecriticalvoicesaroundtheworldthroughthedetentionofwriters.Itworksonbehalfofallthosewhoaredetainedorotherwisepersecutedfortheiropinionsexpressedinwritingandforwriterswhoareunderattackfortheirpeacefulpoliticalactivitiesorforthepracticeoftheirprofession,providedthattheydidnotuseviolenceoradvocateviolenceorracialhatred.

MembercentresofPENInternationalareactiveincampaigningforanimprovementintheconditionsofpersecutedwriters, including journalists,novelists,poets, songwriters,essayists, translators,bloggers,socialmediausers–inshort,anyonepersecutedfortheiruseofthewrittenword.Theysendletterstothegovernmentsconcernedandlobbytheirowngovernmentstocampaignforthereleaseofdetainedwritersandforinvestigationsincasesoftortureandkillings.Throughwritingtothefamiliesand,wherepossible, directly to prisoners, they provide encouragement and hope, as well as helping to obtainupdated information which continues to shine a spotlight on egregious violations of the right tofreedomofexpression.

PEN also assists in the provision of emergency relief to persecuted writers, including small one-offgrants throughthePENEmergencyFund, temporary relocationprovidedthroughacloserelationshipwith the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and some Centres, as well as advice andsupportforasylumapplications.Formoreinformation,contactCathy.McCann@pen-international.org.

InformationsourcesPENInternationalgathersitsinformationfortheCaseListandcampaigningactionfromawidevarietyofsources.Itseekstoconfirmitsinformationthroughtwoindependentsources.Whereitsinformationis unconfirmed, it will either take not action, or send an appealworded to reflect the fact that theinformationisasyetincomplete.Sourcesincludepressreports,reportsfromindividualsintheregioninquestion, reports from other human rights groups, PEN members themselves, embassy officials,academics,prisoners’families,lawyersandfriends,andexilegroups.ItalsopartnerswithinternationalNGOs,suchasArticle19andIndexonCensorship. It isafoundermemberof IFEX–theInternationalFreedomofExpressionExchange.IFEXisacollaborative,on-lineserviceinwhichnational,regionalandinternationalorganisations involvedinthecampaignforfreeexpressionpool informationandamplifyeachothers’voices.ForfurtherdetailsseetheIFEXwebsitewww.IFEX.org.

Our work would be impossible without our supporters who include: the Swedish InternationalDevelopmentFoundation,theNorwegianMinistryforForeignAffairs,theFrittOrdFoundation,theEvanCornish Foundation as well as individual donations and membership fees from PEN Centres and itsCircles.

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CONTENTS

1.Explanationofterms 5

2.Listofcasesbycountry

Africa 7

TheAmericas 51

AsiaandthePacific 104

EuropeandCentralAsia 185

MiddleEastandNorthAfrica 270

3.ListofCentreswithHonoraryMembers 342

PENInternationalrecordsofpersecutedwritersareupdatedregularly.Forup-to-dateinformationonaparticularcountry(orcountries),contactthePENInternationalsecretariatinLondon.ThedetailsinthisCaseListarecurrentupto30June2016;insomecasesmorerecentinformationisalsoincluded.

ThelastreportwasdatedDecember2015andisavailableathttp://www.pen-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CASE-LIST-January-December-2015.pdf

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EXPLANATIONOFTERMSUSEDImportant:PleaseRead

KILLED–Awriterorjournalistkilledintheperiodofthiscaselist.PENiscertaintheindividualwasawriter/journalisttargetedfortheirwriting

KILLED:MOTIVEUNKNOWN–Awriterorjournalistkilledinthisperiod,butitisuncleariftheindividualwastargetedfortheirwritings

KILLED:IMPUNITY–Thekillingdidnotoccurintheperiodofthiscaselist,butthereisongoingimpunityforthekillingi.e.therehasbeennoconclusionofthecaseornoinvestigationhastakenplace

EXECUTED:Executedbythestateafteradeathsentencewasimposedbyacourtforfreedomofexpression‘offences’.Doesnotincludeexecutionsofwritersforcriminaloffencesunlesstherewerefairtrialconcerns.

DEATHINCUSTODY:Writerdiedincustody(includinginhospitalwhileunderguard)incircumstanceswheretreatmentinprisonisbelievedtohavecontributedtodeath(egtortureorlackofmedicalcare)

ENFORCEDDISAPPEARANCE–PENiscertaintheindividualisawriter/journalistandthattheirdisappearancewascarriedoutbytheauthoritiesorwiththeiracquiescence

ABDUCTED–PENiscertaintheindividualisawriter/journalistandthatnon-stateactorsareresponsiblefortheirdisappearance

REPORTEDMISSING–Awriterorjournalistmayhavebeenabducted,butitisunclearwhowasresponsible.Mayincludecaseswheretheindividualwaskilled,butabodyhasneverbeenfound

IMPRISONED-MAINCASE–PENiscertainhe/sheisawriter/journalistwhoisservingaprisonsentenceafterconvictioninrelationtotheirwritingsandasfarasweknowhasnotusedviolenceoradvocatedracialhatred

IMPRISONED-INVESTIGATION–UnderPENinvestigation.Servingaprisonsentence,whereoneormoreofthefollowingisunclear:iftheyareawriter;iftheyhavebeendetainedorpersecutedfortheirwritings;iftheyhaveadvocatedracialhatred

DETAINED–MAINCASE–PENiscertainhe/sheisawriter/journalistandisbeingdetainedpendingcharge/trialorwherethereisnointentiontochargethem.Includesthoseheldinadministrativedetentionandunofficialhousearrest.Canalsoincludeindividualsindetentionwhoarefacingchargesorareunderjudicialinvestigation

DETAINED–INVESTIGATION–UnderPENinvestigation.Detained,butwhereoneormoreofthefollowingisunclear:iftheyareawriter;iftheyhavebeendetainedorpersecutedfortheirwritings;iftheyhaveadvocatedracialhatred

ONTRIAL–Includingindividualsfacingcharges,appealingsentence,butnotcurrentlydetainedorimprisoned

JUDICIALCONCERN–PENhasnopositiononthecriminalchargesagainstthewriter/journalistinquestionbutisconcernedaboutreportedirregularitiesinthetrialorlegalprocessorabouttortureallegationsorthedeathpenalty

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BRIEFDETENTION–Willberecordedasabriefdetentionwheretheywereheldforover48hours,buttheindividualisreleasedwithoutcharge.Thereisnodefinitetimelimit,butitcoulduptoacoupleofmonths,dependingontheregionandcontext.

DEATHTHREAT

ATTACKED–Indicatesauseofforceorviolencecausingphysicaldamagetotheindividualordestructionofpersonalpropertye.g.arson

THREATENED–whereindividualshavereceivedthreatsintendedtomakethemdesistfromwriting(including‘inhiding’)

HARASSED–Includingintimidation,briefdetentionsoffewerthan48hours,dismissalfromemploymentwhereitislinkedtotheirwork,etc.

JUDICIALHARASSMENT–forexample,repeatedarrestsorsummonsforquestioningwheretheperiodofdetentionislessthan48hoursorinvestigationssuspendedwhichcanbereopenedatanytime,actingasaformofdeterrenceonthewriter

SENTENCED–whereawriter/journalisthasreachedtheendofthejudicialprocess,hasbeensentenced,buthasnotyetbeenimprisoned

CONDITIONALRELEASE-Includingsuspendedsentence

RELEASED–includingacquitted,endofsentence

CASECLOSED–AcasemaybeclosedwhenPENhasnoaccesstoupdatedinformationforsixto12months,orcasedroppedduetonewinformation–e.g.casenotlinkedtotheirwritings,useofviolence,civilproceedings,etc.

Furtherinformationoncategories

MainCases

Inthesecases,PENInternationalwill takeallpossibleactionfortheirreleaseorforcompensation. Incases where a prisoner is held without charge or trial for a considerable length of time, PENInternationalwillconsiderthemtobeamaincaseuntilandunlessinformationisprovidedwhichshowsthattheyhaveusedviolenceoradvocatedhatred.

Investigationcase

PENInternationalpublishesdetailsofinvestigationcasessoastoprovideacompleteaccountofreportsofpossibleabusesagainstindividualspractisingtheirrighttofreeexpressioninallcountries.However,it will not usually call for their release. Once sufficient information is available, their cases will bereclassifiedasamaincaseorclosedasappropriate.

Judicialconcern

Thesearecaseswhere themainconcern includesconvictionsbasedon trialproceedingswhichweremanifestlyunfair,wherethereareseriousconcernsregardingallegationsoftortureorwherethereareotherirregularitiesinthejudicialprocess.Inthesecases,theWritersinPrisonCommitteecallsforare-trialfollowingfairtrialpracticeoriscallingforaninvestigationoftheallegedmalpracticeandforthosefoundguiltyofcommittingsuchactsastorturetobebroughttojustice.

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PENInternationalGlobalCaseListbyRegionDetailscurrentupto30June2016;insomecasesmorerecentinformationisalsoincluded

AFRICA

ANGOLA

Ontrial

LuatyBEIRÃO,profession:rapmusicianandsocialactivistSedrickdeCARVALHO,profession:journalistatindependentnewspaperFolha8DomingosdaCRUZ,profession:journalistandauthor*HitlerJessyCHICONDE,profession:rapperanduniversitystudent*JoséHATA,profession:rapperandteacher*NunoAlvaroDALA,profession:universitylecturerandauthorDateofarrest:20Juneand21June2015Detailsofarrest:Thirteenactivists,includingLuatyBeirãoandSedrickdeCarvalho,werearrestedon20June2015atameetinginLuandaoftheRevolutionaryMovement–agroupofyouthactivistsadvocatingfordemocracy,politicalchangeandhumanrightsinAngola–wheretheyhadbeenduetoreaddaCruz’smanuscriptToolstoDestroyaDictatorshipandAvoidingaNewDictatorship–PoliticalPhilosophyfortheLiberationofAngola(inspiredbyUSacademicGeneSharp’sbookFromDictatorshiptoDemocracy:AConceptualFrameworkforLiberation.).DaCruzhadbeenduetoattendthemeetingbutdidnot.Hewasarrestedthefollowingday.Amilitaryofficerwasalsolaterarrestedinconnectionwiththecase.On22Junepoliceforcessearchedtheirhousesandconfiscatedcomputers,phones,photos,diaries,creditcardsandcopiesofdaCruz’sbook.Sentences:Beirão,fiveyearsandsixmonths.Carvalho,fouryearsandsixmonths.DaCruz,eightyearsandsixmonths.Dala,ChicondeandHataallreceivedsentencesoffourandahalfyears.Detailsoftrial:Accordingtonewsreports,thetrialofthe15detainedactivists,alongwithtwowomenwhowerenotoriginallydetainedwiththeotheractivistsonchargesof‘rebellion’,‘attemptedcoupd’état’and‘crimesagainstnationalsecurity’startedon16November2015andwasheldbehindcloseddoors,undertheLawofCrimeagainsttheStateSecurity.Humanrightsorganisationsexpressedconcernaboutthefairnessoftheongoingtrialduetomanybreachesoffairtrialstandardsunderinternationallaw.AmnestyInternationalalsostatedthatduringthetrial,‘thecourtspentdaysreadingoutalmost200pagesofanunpublishedbookwrittenbyoneofthedefendants,DomingosdaCruz.Thebookdescribesmechanismsofpeacefulresistance.’AccordingtoFrontlineDefenders,DomingosdaCruzandthreeotherdefendantsinitiatedahungerstrikeon10December2015inprotestagainsttheongoingdelaysofthetrial.On18December2015followingacourtorder,theactivistsweretransferredtohousearrest.Thechargeof‘plottingagainstthepresident’wasdroppedbytheprosecutionon21March2016,butthechargeof‘criminalconspiracy’wasadded.ItwasalsoreportedthatBeiraofacedanadditionalchargeof‘falsificationofdocuments’.On28March2016themembersofthegroupweresentencedtobetweentwotoeightyearsinprisonandorderedtopayafineof50,000Kwanza(about300USD).Thefinalchargeswere‘preparatoryactsofrebellion’and‘criminalconspiracy’.On29June2016theactivistsweregrantedconditionalreleaseaftertheSupremeCourtupheldahabeascorpuspetitionfiledinApril,requestingthattheactivistsbereleasedpendingadecisionontheirappealtotheConstitutionalCourt.TheappealattheConstitutionalCourtwasstillpendingasof30June2016.Conditionsofdetention:On14December2015Carvalhopublishedaletterwhereheexposedhisconditionsindetentionandsuggestedthatthetrialheldon16November2015wasasham.Hesaidhehadbeenheldinsolitaryconfinementforaround2,000hourswithoutthepossibilityofseeingsunlight.Hewentonhungerstrikeandon15December2015heattemptedsuicide,butwasrescuedbyprisonguards.Thesameday,theLuandaProvincialTribunalapprovedthedemandofthepublic

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prosecutortotransfertheactiviststohousearrest.BeirãoanddaCruzhavebeenonhungerstrikeatvariouspointsduringtheirdetentionandtrial.Otherinformation:TheUnitedNationsWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention(WGAD)deliveredanOpiniononthecaseoftheactivistson31May2016andconcludedthattheactivistswere‘arrestedanddetainedbecauseoftheexerciseoftheirfreedomofassembly,opinionandexpressioninviolationofArticles19and20oftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsandarticle19and21oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights’.TheWorkingGroupcalledforimmediatestepstoremedythesituation,namelytoreleasetheactivists,compensatethemaccordinglyandputanendtotheunlawfulcriminalproceedingsagainstthem.Whilehewasstillinprison,NunoDalareleasedhisbook‘ThePoliticalThoughtofYoungRevus:SpeechandAction’(‘OPensamentoPolíticodosJovensRevús–DiscursoeAcção’)whichhehadbeenworkingonwhenhewasarrested.Background:Angolahaspersecutedotherjournalistsandactivistsovertheyears,includingDomingosdaCruzwhohadpreviouslybeenarrestedin2013andputontrialaccusedofincitingcivildisobediencebecauseofatexthepublishedthatwascriticalofthePresident(see2013CaseList)In2013,NitoAlveswasjailedfortwomonthsforprintingt-shirtsthatcarriedaslogancallingPresidentJoséEduardodosSantosa‘disgustingdictator.’PENActions:RAN07/16andupdate;HonoraryMember:PENCanada(daCruz,Beirão,SedrickdeCarvalho)[Stoppress:InlinewithanewAmnestyLaw,theactivistsweregrantedamnestyinOctober2016,howeveritwasreportedthatsomeoftheactivistswereappealingthisdecision,inanefforttocleartheirnames.]

Ontrial

RafaelMARQUESDEMORAIS:Profession:author,journalistandhumanrightsactivistDateofbirth:31August1971Sentence:Six-monthsuspendedprisonsentencewithaprobationaryperiodoftwoyearsDetailsoftrial:Followingpublication of his book Blood Diamonds: Corruption and Torture in Angola, in November 2011Moraismadeacriminalcomplaintagainsteightindividuals–sevenmilitaryofficialsandtheheadofaminingcompany,accusingthemofcrimesagainsthumanity,includingmurder,tortureandforceddisplacement of civilians. TheAttorneyGeneral dismissed the complaint on 18 June 2012, on thegrounds the events were not substantiated or had not occurred, ruling that Marques’ witnessesmerelyrepeatedwhattheyhadalreadytoldMarques.TheindividualsnamedinhiscomplaintfiledacriminaldefamationlawsuitagainstMarquesinPortugalin2012,whichthePortugueseProsecutionService chose not to pursue in February 2013. They are reportedly now pursuing a privateprosecutioninPortugalforlibelanddefamationagainstMarquesandhispublisher,seekingatotalof 300,000 Euros (approx. US$400,000) in damages. The plaintiffs then lodged a complaint ofcriminal defamation in Angola. On 3 April 2013, Marques was summoned by telephone to theorganised crimeunitof thenationalpolice.Duringhis interrogationhewas informed thathehadbeen indicted inJanuary2013onchargesofdefamation,butwasnotallowedtoseetheevidencecompiledagainsthim.AccordingtoAngolanlaw,thenatureandcontentofsuchaninvestigationdonotneedtobedisclosedtotheaccusedortheirlegalcounsel.On31July2013Marquesattendedahearing at the National Directorate on Criminal Investigation and Action in the Angolan capitalLuanda, regarding 11 counts of defamation. Marques and his lawyers were still not allowed toreview the full indictments and files or evidence related to the charges. The only informationprovidedwas that the 11 chargeswere based on eight individual complaints and three collectivecriminalcomplaints,filedbysevenAngolangenerals,acivilian,twominingcompaniesandaprivatesecuritycompany.AllofthelawsuitsweretriggeredbyMarques’book.Accordingtoaletterwrittenby severalhuman rightsorganisations,oneof the charges is a re-filingof thecriminaldefamationcasebroughtagainsthiminPortugal–whereitwasdismissed.Inrespectofthischarge,heisboththeaccusedandastatewitness,aviolationofhisrightnottotestifyagainsthimself. InJuly2014,Marqueswasagainsummonedandwasformallychargedwitheightcountsofdefamation,althoughthechargesheetdatedMarch2014wasnotgiventohimandhislawyer.Histrialcommencedon24

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March 2015duringwhichMarqueswas accusedof another 15 counts of defamation.On 21May2015 the plaintiffswithdrew their complaint againstMarques and all chargeswere dropped afterboth parties reached an out-of-court settlement, which reportedly included a commitment byMarques not to republish his book.However, the chargeswere reinstated aweek later,with theprosecution requesting a prison sentence. The prosecution reportedly held that Marques hadadmitted his guilt in a statement he gave at the hearing where the charges against him weredropped.Onthisbasis,theprosecutionaskedforaone-monthsuspendedsentence,butthecourtwent further, sentencing him on 28May 2015 to a six-month suspended prison sentencewith aprobationaryperiodoftwoyears.Marqueswasreportedlyalsoorderedtowithdrawhisbookfromsale in any form, including online, and to not republish it or have it translated into any otherlanguage,onpainofimprisonment.HislawyerslodgedanappealwiththeAngolanSupremeCourt,whichispendingasof30June2016.Background:In2000,Marqueswassentencedtosixmonthsinprisonandordered topaydamages fordefamationagainst thepresidentofAngola,however, theUnited Nations Human Rights Committee later found that the judgement had violatedMarques’rightsandorderedAngola topayhimdamages.Awards:RecipientofTransparency International’s2013 IntegrityAward,winnerof IndexOnCensorship’s2015FreedomofExpressionAwards intheJournalism category. PEN Action: Joint appeal to international and regional human rightsmechanismsAugust2014,pressstatementDecember2014,pressstatement20March2015,pressstatement28May2015.

BENIN

Conditionalrelease

JohnAKINTOLA:Profession:publisherofL’IndépendantDateofsentence:25June2014Sentence:Akintolawashandeddownathree-yearsuspendedsentenceandfineof200,000CFA(approx.US$416).Thenewspaperwasalsosuspendedforthreemonthseffective16July2014.Detailsoftrial:AkintolawasconvictedalongsideL’IndépendantreporterPrudenceTessiof‘insulting’PresidentThomasBoniYayiinanarticlewrittenbyTessi.ThearticlereportedlyallegedthattripsabroadbyPresidentYayihadbeenillegallyfinancedbytheBeninElectricEnergyCompany(SBEE).Background:ThegeneraldirectorofSBEEwasreportedtohavebeendismissedasaresultofthecaseandleftthecountry.Anearliercase,whichheisreportedtohavebroughtagainstthenewspaper,ledtoathree-monthsuspensionofthenewspaperwhichwasduetohaveexpiredon15July2014.

BOTSWANA

Ontrial

OutsaMOKONE:Profession:editoroftheGaborone-basedSundayStandardDateofarrest:8September2014Dateofrelease:9September2014Detailsofarrest:Mokonewasreportedlyarrestedbypolicewhoraidedthenewspaper’sofficeson8September2014.OnlyMokone’scomputerwasseizedduringtheraid.Detailsofrelease:Mokonewasreleasedfromdetentionon9Septemberfollowinganapplicationbyhislawyers.Detailsoftrial:Hewaschargedwith’seditiousintention’contrarytosection50(1)asreadwithsection51(1)CofthePenalCodeofBotswanaoveranarticleaboutanallegedcaraccidentinvolvingthepresident.TheHighCourtjudgereportedlyorderedthepolicecommissionerto‘notapplyforanyfurtherwarrantsofarrestagainsttheapplicantbasedonfactssimilarinnaturetothosefoundingthewarrants’.Mokonereportedlychallengedthe

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constitutionalityoftheseditioncharge;ahearingwasduetobeheldon28November2014.Whilethereisnoupdateonthestatusofhistrial,on19May2015MokonesuedtheGovernmentbyfilingadraftorderwiththeHighCourttodeclarehisdetentioninSeptember2014wasillegal.IncourtinJune2016,hearguedthatthecorrectprocedurehadnotbeenfollowedinhiscase,includingthefactasignedstatementwasnotpresentedtothemagistrateinsupportoftheapplicationofthewarrant.MokonehasalsorequestedthattheCourtdeclarethattheprovisionsofSections50and51ofthepenalcodearecontrarytoSection12oftheConstitutionofBotswanaastheyinfringeontherighttofreedomofexpressionThejudgeatLobatseHighcourthasreportedlysetthedateofjudgementforthecaseas26August2016.Background:Thejournalistwhowrotetheoffendingarticle,EdgarTsimane,reportedlyfledthecountryandhasreceivedprovisionalrefugeestatusinSouthAfrica.MokonehasalsowrittenarticlescriticaloftheDirectorateofIntelligenceandSecurity.

BURKINAFASO

Killed-impunity

NorbertZONGO:Profession:chiefeditorofnewspaperL’independantDateofkilling:13December1998Detailsofkilling:SeeCaseListJulytoDecember1998.Detailsofinvestigation:Investigationsintothemurderweredroppedin2006butwererecentlyreopenedbythenewgovernment.TherehadreportedlybeenlittleprogressintheinvestigationuntilarulingoftheAfricanCourtonHumanandPeoples’Rightson5June2015demandedthatBurkinaFasoresumetheinvestigation.Formoreinformation,seeCaseListJulytoDecember1998.AccordingtonewsreportsinDecember2015threeformerpresidentialguardmemberswerechargedwiththeassassinationofZongo.AccordingtoZongo’sfamily’slawyer,theyareexpectingtofindwhoorderedhiskillings.Background:BeforehismurderZongohadbeeninvestigatingthedeathofthedriverofex-presidentBlaiseCompaore’sbrother.

Ontrial

BoureimaOUÉDRAOGO:Profession:managingeditorofLeReporter,privatenewspaperSentence:threemonths’prisonsentenceandafineofCFAFrancs300,000(US$500).Detailsoftrial:Ouédraogowaschargedwithdefamation.On23July2015hewassentencedbyacountycourtinOuagadougoutoprisonandafineofCFAFrancs300,000(US$500).Thereisconflictinginformationastothelengthofthesentence(3monthsor3years)whichPENistryingtoclarify.AccordingtotheMediaFoundationforWestAfrica,thejournalisthasappealedforastayofexecution,whichisacourtordertemporarilysuspendingothercourtjudgementsororders.Thestayofexecutionwasgranted.Heremainsfreependingappeal.Accordingtonewsreports,Ouédraogowassummonedalongsideanotherjournaliston18February2016atthemilitaryprosecutor’soffice,inrelationtoarticlespublishedonthecaseofGuillaumeSoro,andhisallegedinvolvementinthefailedcoupd’étatof16September2015.Background:Shortlybeforehissentencewaspassed,thegovernmentinBurkinaFasoapprovedabilldecriminalizingmediaoffences.[Stoppress:Ahearinginthecasewasscheduledfor30July2016;nofurtherinformation.]

BURUNDI

Freedom of expression has been severely restricted in Burundi since protests erupted in late April2015 in opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third-term in electionsscheduledforJuly2015.ThreepopularradiostationswerebannedinApril2015fromlivereportingontheprotests,andhadtheirbroadcastsoutsideofthecapitalsuspended.Oneofthestations,RadioPubliqueAfricaine(RPA),hadallofitsbroadcastsshutdown.

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Afteranattemptedcoupon13May2015themainindependentradiostationswereattacked,aswellas a pro-government station. After this, perceived opponents of the government, includingjournalists, were targeted. The crackdown on perceived opponents of the government intensifiedafter theelections tookplace in July2015andkeptNkurunziza inpower..Over thecourseof2015hundreds of thousands of people fled the country, including over 100 journalists, according to theCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ).

Theeffectonfreedomofexpressioninthecountryhasbeensevere,withthecrushingofindependentvoices and the media. The political situation in Burundi remains precarious and the freedom ofexpressionclimateisstifling.

Threatened

*EsdrasNDIKUMANA:Profession:CorrespondentforAFPandRFIDateofthreat:30-31May2016Detailsofthreat:On30May,theMinisterofpublicsecurity,GeneralAlain-GuillaumeBunyoni,accusedNdikumanainastatementofpromotingviolence.Afterthestatementwasreleased,Ndikumanawasthreatenedbytwopro-governmentcivilsocietyfiguresonTwitter.Background:On3August2015,NdikumanawasarrestedinBujumburawhilecoveringtheassassinationofaGeneral.Hewasreportedlyarrestedwhileinthepresenceofhighrankingofficialsfromthepolice,thesecurityservicesandthepresidency.Itwasreportedthathewasheldfortwohours,andduringthattimewasbeatenonhisback,legsandsolesofhisfeet,accusedofbeinga‘journalistenemy’andthenreleasedandsenttohospitaltoseektreatment.Localmediareportedthathewastreatedformicrofracturesandasuspectedbrokenfinger,andneededfivebagsofblood.Thefollowingday,hewasaccusedofbeingan‘enemycollaborator’bygovernmentrepresentativesattheairport.

CAMEROON

Killed:impunity

EricOhenaLEMBEMBE:Profession:executivedirectoroftheCameroonianFoundationforAIDS(CAMFAIDS),LGBTrightsactivist,authorofseveralchaptersinFromWrongstoGayRights,journalistandcontributortothe‘Erasing76Crimes’blog.Dateofbirth:1980Detailsofkilling:Lembembewasfounddead,hisbodymutilated,on16July2013.Itisthoughtthathewasmurderedbetween12and13July.Lembembe’sneckandfeetappearedtohavebeenbroken,whilehisface,handsandfeethadbeenburnedwithaniron.Hismurderreportedlyfollowedseveralattacksontheofficesofhumanrightsdefenders,includingthosecampaigningforequalrightsforLGBTpeople.On20September2013,Cameroon’sambassadortoGenevareportedlytoldtheUnitedNationsHumanRightsCouncilthatLembembehadbeenkilledbecauseofhispersonallife,suggestingthatthejournalistmighthavebeenacriminalkilledina‘settlingofscores’.Theambassador’sclaimscamedespitetheauthorities’failuretoidentifyanysuspectstwomonthsafterLembembe’smurder;hereportedlydismissedallconcernsthathismurderwaslinkedtohisactivismas‘fantasy’.TheinvestigationintoLembembe’sdeathremainsatastandstillasof30June2016;Otherinformation:InMay2014,triggeredbyLembembe’smurder,theAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples’Rightsadoptedastrongresolutioncondemningviolenceonthegroundsofsexualorientationandgenderidentity,andcallingonAfricancountriesto‘[ensure]properinvestigationanddiligentprosecutionofperpetrators.’

Ontrial

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FélixCyriaqueEBOLEBOLA,profession:journalistwithMutationsRodriqueNDEUTCHOUATONGUE,profession:journalistwithLeMessagerDrBabaWAMÉ,profession:FormerjournalistandlecturerinjournalismDetailsoftrial:DuringamilitarycourthearinginYaoundéheldon28October2014,allthreewerereportedlychargedwithfailingtoinformjudicial,administrativeandmilitaryauthorities(non-denunciation)offactspotentiallyendangeringstatesecurityunderarticle107ofCameroon’sCriminalCode.Thejournalistswerereportedlyfreedunderjudicialsupervisionandwererequiredtoreporttocourtonceaweek,notallowedtoleaveYaoundéandwerebarredfromcommentingonthecase.AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,theywerealsobarredfrompractisingtheirprofession.Accordingtolocalreports,theirtrialwasduetotakeplacebeforetheYaoundéMilitaryCourtinJanuary2016butwasadjournedonseveraloccasionsandstartedagaininApril.Itwasreportedlyadjournedagainuntil18Mayfortheprosecutionwitnessestoappearincourt.Asof30June2016therehasbeennomoreinformation.Eachofthethreejournalistsfacesajailtermofbetweenonetofiveyearsandafinefrom50,000FCFA[aroundUS$86]to5millionFCFA[aroundUS$8,590.40]ifconvicted.Background:Thechargesarereportedtostemfromeventsin2013and2014whenthejournalistslearnedofaCentralAfricanrebelchiefstationedontheborderofCameroonclaimingtobeinpossessionofnationalsecurityinformation.EboleBolareportedlywrotetoanationalsecuritydelegateinforminghimofthisnewsandrequestingconfirmation.Inresponse,thepoliceaskedthejournalisttosharetheinformationandtoprovideanyupdates.Aftercommunicationsceased,Mutationswasreportedlyorderedtocourtfornothavingrespondedtothepolicerequest.

ZacharieNDIOMO:Profession:editorofthebi-monthlyLeZénithDateofarrest:13October2014Dateofrelease:6February2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,NdiomowasarrestedasaresultofalibelsuitbythechiefofstaffofCameroon’sfinanceministryrelatingtoanarticlepublishedinLeZénith,whichclaimedthattheofficialwasabouttobejailedforillicitenrichment.Detailsofrelease:Accordingtoreports,NdiomowasreleasedfromKondenguiprisonon6February2015.Detailsoftrial:Ndiomowasreportedlyinitiallychargedwithdefamationbeforethechargeswerealteredtoblackmailandissuingthreats.Hedeniesallcharges.Hewasreleasedfollowinghisappearanceatacourthearingon22January2015.AccordingtoreportsbyReportersWithoutBordersdated16September2015,Ndiomoiscurrentlyawaitingasecondtrialonthesamechargebecausetheplaintiffthinksthecourtwastoolenientatthefirsttrial.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Awards:2015CNNAfricanJournalistsAwardforPressFreedom

CENTRALAFRICANREPUBLIC

Ontrial

SaintRégisZOUMIRI,Profession:editorofLePalmarèsPatrickStéphaneAKIBATA,Profession:pasteditorofLePeupleandalsoDirectorofPublicationsofthenewspaperLeCharpentierDateofarrest:10and15April2014respectively.Dateofrelease:22April2014.Detailsofarrest:Thejournalistswerereportedlychargedwith‘insultingthepresident,’‘defamation,’‘publicinsult’and‘attackinginternalstatesecurity.’OnlythefinalchargeisconsideredacriminaloffenceintheCentralAfricanRepublic.Theywereorderedtobereleasedpendingtrialatacourthearingon22April2014.InAugust2015,alocalnewsreportindicatedthatbothsideshadacceptedaconciliationprocess,butitseemsthecasewasnotfullysettled.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016.Background:ThechargesarereportedtorelatetoarticlesforwhichthenewspapersLePeupleandLeDémocrateweresuspendedforoneandtwoweeksrespectivelybyacourtoftheirpeersatahearingon8April.AnarrestwarrantwasalsoreportedtohavebeenissuedforFerdinandSamba,journalistwithLeDémocrate.AkibatapassedawayinMay2016fromashortillness.

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CHAD

OnTrial

*StéphaneMbaïrabéOUAYE:Profession:publisheroftheindependentnewspaperHautParleurDateofarrest:1)12June20152)2October2015Dateofrelease:1)Unknown,butbelievedtobeshortlyafterwards2)2October2015Detailsofarrest:1)Accordingtoalocalnewsreport,hewasarrestedinthemorningof12June2015afterthePresident’sbrother,filedalibelsuitagainsthim.InOctober2015itwasannouncedthatthePresident’sbrotherhadbeenreleasedfromhispostasDirectorGeneralofCustomsandarrestedonchargesofembezzlingthestate.2)AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,Ouayewasarrestedonthenightof2October2015andwasheldinN’Djamenapoliceheadquarters.Thepoliceallegedlyarrestedhimwithnowarrantandbeathiminordertoobtainthesourcesofanarticlethathehadrecentlypublished.Hewasreleasedthesameday.ReportersWithoutBordersreportsthathenowfaceschargesfordefamationandheiswaitingforthetrialtobescheduled.Nofurthernewsas30June2016.Background:Hisarrestsarerelatedtoanarticle,entitled‘SalayDeby,nationalthief’criticisedthePresidentIdrissDebyandhisbrother,director-generalofthecustomsservice.

BriefDetention

*MadjissembayeNGARDINON:

Profession:reporterandeditorialsecretaryforthenewspaperAbbaGardeDateofarrest:24June2016Detailsofarrest:MadjissembayeNgardinonwasreportedlyarrestedwhilsttakingphotosofawomenwhowasresistingtheeffortsofthepolicetomakeherleaveanarea.Thewomanhadpreviouslyheldaconcessionsstandonthestreetandbuthadrecentlybeenevicted.NgardinonwastakenfirsttotheheadquartersofthePSIG,aspecialgendarmerieunit,andthentotheprosecutor’soffice,wherehewasreportedlystatedthathehadbeenarrested‘intheactofacrime’.Hewasscheduledtoappearbeforeajudgeon1July2016,andthechargesagainsthimwerechangedto‘contemptofcourt’,punishablebyuptosixmonthsinprison,and‘rebellion’,punishablebythreemonthstotwoyearsinprisonandafineofupto500,000CFAfrancs(about$840).Hisnewspapereditorallegedthathehadbeentreatedinthiswaybecauseofanarticledated20June2016thatNgardinonhadwrittenhighlightingflawsinthehandlingoftheaforementionedpropertydisputebytheauthorities.Itwasthenreportedthathehadbeenreleasedontheeveningof28Juneandthechargesagainsthimhadbeendropped.

CaseClosed

JeanEtienneLAOKOLÉ:Profession:activist,humanitarianworker,writerandbloggerDateofarrest:22March2013Sentence:three-yearsuspendedprisonsentenceDateofrelease:19August2013Detailsofarrest:LaokoléwasarrestedbyagroupofmenincivilianclothesintheChadiancapitalN’Djamenaandspentalmostfivemonthsinpre-trialdetention.Hewasreportedlydrivingwithfamilymemberswhenhewasstoppedandforcedintoanothervehicle.Laokolé’sarrestwasthoughttobeinconnectionwithaseriesofarticleshewrotedenouncingcorruption,poorgovernanceandnepotisminChadandpostedonawell-knownChadian,LeBlogdeMakaïlaunderthepseudonymVourboubéPierrein2012.Laokoléwasreportedlyidentifiedastheauthorbytheintelligenceservices.Accordingtoreports,earlieronthedayofhisarrestLaokoléhadbeensummonedforquestioningby

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thecriminalinvestigationpoliceasaresultofacomplaintaboutanarticlehehadwritten.Detailsoftrial:Laokoléappearedbeforeamagistrateon1April2013,wherehislawyerstatedthattheprocedureinthecaseofdefamationhadnotbeenfollowedandthattherewasnoreasonwhyLaokoléshouldnotbegrantedbailpendingtrial.On19August2013hewasconvictedofdefamationand‘abortiveconspiracyagainstpublicorder’andhandeddownathree-yearsuspendedprisonsentence.Conditionsindetention:LaokoléwasheldincommunicadoforthreedaysfollowinghisarrestbeforereportedlybeingsightedinaformermilitarycampinN’Djamenaon25March2013.HewasthentransferredtotheAmSinenedetentioncentre,30kmoutsidethecapital,whereconditionsamounttocruel,inhumananddegradingtreatmentorpunishment,accordingtoAmnestyInternational.Hewasreportedlylatergivenaccesstoalawyerandhisfamily.Background:On6May2013,EricTopona,broadcastjournalistandsecretarygeneraloftheUnionofChadianJournalists(UniondesJournalistesTchadiens),wasarrestedafterheattendedasummonstotestifyinLaokolé’scaseattheN’DjamenaMagistrate’sCourt.AccusedofworkingwithLaokoléandcontributingtoLeBlogdeMakaïla,hewasreportedlychargedwith‘endangeringconstitutionalorder,’detainedunderwarrantandtransferredtoAmSinenedetentioncentrewhereheremainedinprisonpendingtrial.Toponawasalsoconvictedonchargesofdefamationand‘abortiveconspiracyagainstpublicorder’andgivenathreeyearsuspendedsentence,andreleased,on19August2013.Toponawasreportedtobeappealinghissentence.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekinganupdate.PENActions:andupdates.

CONGO

Attacked

*ChristopheCHÂTELOT(Frenchnational):Profession:correspondentforLeMondeDateofattack:23March2016Detailsofattack:ChâtelotwasarrestedalongwithtwoAFPreporterswhilecoveringthepresidentialelectionsintheRepublicofCongo.Thethreejournalistshadjustattendedapress-conferenceheldbyanoppositioncandidateannouncinghewouldchallengetheelectionresults.Theywerereportedlyattackedastheyleftbymenwhoidentifiedthemselvesaspoliceofficers;theofficersseizedpassportsandequipment,suchasnotebooksandcameras,andpunchedthejournalists.Itwasreportedthatwhilstthepassportsandcameraequipmentwerereleasedlaterthatday,memorycardscontainingimagesoftheconferencewerenot.Allthreemenhadpressaccreditationfortheelection.

ERITREA

Detained:maincase

Detainedbefore2001:

GebrehiwotKELETA:Profession:reporterfortheindependentnewspaperTsigenay(ThePollinator)Dateofbirth:1951Dateofarrest:JuneorJuly2000Detailsofarrest:HewasreportedlyarrestedafterhemetaUSembassyofficialalongwithotherjournalists.Hehasbeendetainedincommunicadowithoutchargeeversince.Keleta,whoisalsoaformerEritreanLiberationFrontofficer,was49atthetimeofhisarrest.Placeofdetention:Eiraeiroprison,thoughhewasnotoriginallyplacedinEiraeiro.Nofurtherinformationasof31December2015.HonoraryMember:PENEritrea.

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DetainedinSeptember2001:

Update:LeakedinformationfromasourcewhohascreatedaFacebookpagepublishingdocumentsclaimingtoshownewinformationaboutthepoliticalprisonersandjournalistswhohavebeenincarceratedformorethan14yearsinEritrea’ssecretprisonsallegesthatsomeofthedetaineesarenolongeralive.Outofthetotal35prisonersheldinthemostsecuredprisoncentre,Eirairo,only15werealive.Theinformation,sharedinearlyFebruary2016,alsoaddsthattheremaining15prisonerswererecentlytransferredtoundisclosedprisoncentre.TheseclaimshavenotbeenconfirmedbytheEritreanauthorities.

MahmudAHMEDSHERIFFO,Profession:formerMinisterofLocalGovernmentUpdate:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtohavedied4June2002inEmbatkallaHaileWOLDETENSAE,Profession:formerMinisterofTradeandIndustry.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,losthiseye-sight,butwaslastreportedaliveinpoorhealthPetrosSOLOMON,Profession:formerMinisterofFisheries.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,waslastreportedasaliveSalehIdrisKEKIA,Profession:formerMinisterofTransportationandCommunication.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,wasreportedtohavedied12June2003inEiraieroGeneralOgbeABRAHA,Profession:ChiefofStaffoftheDefenceForce.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtohavedied13October2002inEmbatkalla)AstierFESHATSION(OrAsterFissahatsion)(f),Profession:formerdirectorgeneralatMinistryofLabourandHumanWelfare.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtohavedied8June2003inEirairo)BrigGenBerhaneGHEBREEGHZABIHER,Profession:Commander-in-ChiefofthegroundforcesoftheMinisterofDefenceUpdate:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,hehasbeenaliveindeterioratinghealthconditions

HamidHIMID,Profession:EritreanambassadortotheKingdomofSaudiArabia.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtohavedied22September2003inEirairoBrigGenEstifanosSEYOUM,Profession:HeadoffinanceattheMinistryofDefence.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,althoughallegedtosufferfromdepression,relativetoothers,heisinbetterphysicalconditionandhasbeenhandcuffedfromday1inEirairoGermanoNATI,profession: formeradministratorofSouthernRedSeaZone.Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtohavediedJanuary2009inEiraieroBeraki GHEBRE SELASSIE, Profession: Former Minister of Education and later Minister ofInformation,wasservingasAmbassadortoGermanyatthetimeofhisarrest.Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtobealivealbeitindeterioratinghealthcondition.

Date of arrest: 18 or 19 September 2001 Details of arrest: they have been detained since thepublicationinMay2001ofanopenlettercriticalofthegovernmentaddressedtomembersoftherulingPeople’sFrontforDemocracyandJustice(PFDJ)party.All11weremembersoftheso-calledG-15,agroupof15PFDJseniorofficialswhosignedtheletter.TheywerearrestedinAsmaraon18and19September2001andaccusedofcrimesagainstnationalsecurityandsovereignty.AtwelfthG15memberwasalsoarrestedbutwasreleasedwhenherecanted.ThethreeremainingmemberswereabroadatthetimeofthearrestsandhavenotreturnedtoEritrea.InFebruary2002,inthefirstparliamentarysessionsince2000,President IssayasAfewerkideclaredthattheG-15membershad‘committed treasonby abandoning the very values andprinciples the Eritreanpeople fought for’.TheNationalAssemblytherefore‘stronglycondemnedthemforthecrimestheycommittedagainstthe people and their country’. After such statements it seems highly improbable that the 11currentlyheldwillreceiveafairtrial.Conditionsindetention:Theyhavebeenheldincommunicado

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since their arrest and it is not known whether they have been formally charged. According toAmnestyInternational,theirfamilyandfriendshavefacedpersecutionwhenevertheyhavetriedtospeakoutagainstthedetentions.InApril2009,AmnestyInternationalstatedthatatleastoneoftheG-15members,GeneralOgbeAbraha,had reportedlydied incustodydue to theharshconditionsand lack of access tomedical treatment. According to Amnesty International, in early 2009 therewereunconfirmedreportsthatnineoftheformergovernmentofficialsknownastheG-15haddiedindetentionsince2002.Healthconcerns:AstierFeshatsionwassaidin2009tobesufferingfromstomachulcers.AccordingtoaMay2013reportbyAmnestyInternational,inJuly2012itwasreportedthatPetrosSolomonhadbeenadmittedtoahospitalinAsmaraduetoaseriousillness.However,adequatemedicalcarewasnotavailableinEritreaanditisnotknownwhathashappenedtohimsince.Otherinformation:On27November2007,theUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention(WGAD)adopteditsopinion(No.23/2007Eritrea)thatthepoliticians’detentionwasarbitraryunderbothcategoryI(‘Whenitisimpossibletoinvokeanylegalbasisjustifyingthedeprivationofliberty’)andcategoryII(‘WhenthedeprivationoflibertyresultsfromtheexerciseoftherightsorfreedomsguaranteedbytheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsand,insofarasstatepartiesareconcerned,theInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights’).WGADrequestedtheirimmediaterelease.AccordingtoareportbytheUNSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinEritreapublishedinMay2013,theEritreangovernmenthadstillnotprovidedanyinformationonthefateoftheG11politicalleaders.Inmeetingswithgovernmentrepresentativesinearly2013,theSpecialRapporteuraskedthemtoconfirmwhetherornotthepoliticalleaderswerestillalive,theirwhereabouts,stateofhealthandaccesstomedicaltreatment,andwhytheyhadnotyetbeenbroughtbeforeanindependentcourttobechargedwithacrimerecognisableunderinternationallaw.Shehadnotreceivedanyresponsetothesequestionsatthetimethereportwaspublished.A2013reportbyAmnestyInternationalstatesthatthebrotherofEstifanosSeyoum,ColonelTesfaledetSeyoum,wasalsoarrestedin2001andhadbeendetainedincommunicadosince.Hewasreportedlyarrestedforexpressingpoliticalviewsinoppositiontothegovernment.AccordingtothereportoftheUNCommissionofInquiryonHumanRightsinEritreapublishedon5June2015,thewhereaboutsofthe11remainunknown.Update:TheForeignMinisterofEritreaclaimedon20June2016inaninterviewwithRFIthatthejournalistsandpoliticiansarrestedin2001arealive,thoughnoproofhasbeenprovided.AmanuelASRAT,Profession:editor-in-chiefandco-founderofZemen(Times),popularartcritic,award-winningpoetandsong-writer,alsocreditedwithestablishingtheliteraryclubsSaturday’sSupperin2001:Dateofbirth:c.1971Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,wasaliveuntilanallegedreportinearlyFebruary2016ofatransfertoanundisclosedprisoncentre

TemeskenGHEBREYESUS,Profession:memberofeditorialboardandsportseditorofKesteDebena(Rainbow),comedianandactorDateofbirthc.1967Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,wasaliveuntilanallegedreportinearlyFebruary2016ofatransfertoanundisclosedprisoncentre)MattewosHABTEAB,Profession:co-founder,co-ownerandchiefeditorofMeqaleh(Echo)Dateofbirth:c.1974,(DiedinEirairoin2005)DawitHABTEMICHAEL,Profession:co-founderandassistantchiefeditorofMeqaleh.Inadditiontoediting,Habtemichaelalsowrotecriticalarticles:hisregularcolumn‘Nevertoolate’scrutinisedkeyissuesinsocietyandgovernmentonwhich,heassumed,itwasnevertoolatetoimprove.AlsoaphysicsteacheratAsmaraComprehensiveSchoolDateofbirth:c.1974Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,reportedtohavediedinEirairotowardstheendof2010)SeyoumTSEHAYE,Profession:freelancecontributortoSetitandfreelancephoto-journalist.Co-founderoftheEritreanPeople’sLiberationFront(EPLF)’sphotographydepartment;co-founderandfirstdirectorofstate-ownedEri-TV.Dateofbirth:1952Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,attemptedtoescapefromprisonin2007butwascaughtandwasbeatenharshly

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after;reportedaliveunderdeterioratinghealthconditionsandpsychologicalstateuntiltheallegedreportinearlyFebruary2016ofatransfertoanundisclosedprisoncentre)

Dateofarrest:Inthedaysfollowing19September2001,Detailsofarrest:Thedetentionscameinthewakeoftheclosingdownofalleightindependentnewspapersbytheauthoritieson18September2001;theseincludetheweekliesMeqaleh,Setit,Tsigenay,Zemen,WintanaandAdmas.Detailsoftrial:Theyarebelievedtobeheldwithoutchargeortrial.Sincethen,onlystate-ownednewspapershavebeenpublished.Theauthoritieshaveeitherdeniedthataclampdowntookplace,claiminginsteadthatthejournalistshavemerelybeensenttocarryouttheirnationalservice,orthattheclosuresandmassarrestswerenecessaryforthesakeofnationalunityorwerecarriedoutbecauseofthenewspapers’failuretocomplywithlawscoveringmedialicences.However,amorelikelyexplanationisthatthecrackdownwasanattempttostampoutcriticismoftheEritreangovernment’streatmentofstudentsandpoliticaldissenters,andofitsconflictwithEthiopia.InApril2003,PresidentIsaiasAfewerkitoldRadioFranceInternationalethatthejournalistslistedasarrestedormissinghadbeenbribedbyforcesopposedtothegovernmenttocausedivision.Hestated,‘Youcannotsayaspyisajournalist…Inthemiddleofthewarwehadtocheckthem.Wehadtosayenoughisenough.’Ina2004interview,PresidentAfewerkicommentedthattherehadneverbeenanyindependentmediainEritrea,onlyjournalistsinthepayoftheCIA.Conditionsindetention:Aftertheinitialraid,thejournalistsweredetainedincommunicadoattheFirstPoliceStationinthecapitalAsmaraforseveralweeks.Afterfinallyreceivingvisitsbyfamilyandfriends,theywentonhungerstriketodemandthattheircasesbebroughttocourt.InresponsetheyweresoontransferredtounknowndetentioncentersandlatermovedtoEiraieroprisoncamptojointheformerstateofficials(seeabove).Thereareseriousconcernsaboutsevereilltreatment,possibletorture.In2007,reportsemergedthatfourofthejournalistswhowerearrestedinSeptember2001haddiedincustodybetween2005andearly2007:SaidAbdelkader(Admaseditor-in-chiefandowner)(Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,committedsuicideinMarch2005inEirairo),MedhanieHaile(KesteDebenaassistanteditor-in-chiefandco-founder,formersportsjournalist,andlawyer)(Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,diedinEirairoonFebruary8,2006inEirairo),YusufMohamedAli(Tsigenayeditor-in-chiefandowner)(Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,diedinEirairoonJune7,2003),FesshayeYohannes‘Joshua’(co-ownerofSetit,poet,playwright,shortstorywriter,co-founderofShewitChildren’sTheatreandcircusperformer)(Update:accordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,committedsuicideonOctober13,2002inEmbatkalla).Theirdeaths–whichhavenotbeenofficiallyconfirmed–wereattributedtoharshconditionsandlackofmedicalattention.SomesourcessuggestthatthatYohanneswastorturedpriortohisdeath,includingbyhavinghisfingernailsrippedout.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorderson30August2012,DawitHabtemichaelandMattewosHabteabdiedinEiraeiroprisoncamp,Habtemichaelinthesecondhalfof2010;thesedeathshavealsonotbeenofficiallyconfirmed.Healthconcerns:Thedetaineesarebelievedtobeinpoorhealthandlackaccesstomedicalcare,ashighlightedbythereporteddeathsincustody(seeabove).InSeptember2009,ReportersWithoutBordersreportedthatmanyoftheimprisonedjournalistswerebeingheldinmetalcontainersorundergroundcellsinAdiAbeitomilitaryprison(northwestofAsmara),Eiraeiroprison(nearthelocalityofGahtelay).Otherinformation:InMay2007,theAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples’Rights(ACPHR)oftheAfricanUnionruledthatthedetentionofthejournalistswasarbitraryandunlawfulandcalledontheEritreangovernmenttoreleaseandcompensatethedetainees.InSeptember2011,theEuropeanParliamentadoptedastronglywordedresolutionurgingEritreato‘liftthebanonthecountry'sindependentpressandtoimmediatelyreleaseindependentjournalistsandallotherswhohavebeenjailedsimplyforexercisingtheirrighttofreedomofexpression.’ForyearsdespitecallsfromtheSpecialRapporteuronEritreaforthegovernmenttoconfirmwhetherornotthejournalistswerestillalive,andontheirhealthandlegalstatus,aswellasaUNResolutionurgingfortheaccountingoftheG-15andthejournalists,theEritreangovernmenthadnotprovidedanyinformationonthefateofthejournalistsdetainedin2001.Update:On20June2016inaninterview

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withRFI,theForeignMinisterofEritreaclaimedthatallofthejournalistsandpoliticiansarrestedin2001arealive,thoughnoproofhasbeenprovided.Inthesameinterview,theforeignministersaidthatthesemenwouldbetried‘whenthegovernmentdecides’.HonoraryMembers(All):PENAmericanCentre,PENCanadaandPENEritrea.PENAction:(Asrat)2016DayoftheImprisonedWriter;(Asrat)

DawitISAAC(orISAAK)(holdsdualEritreanandSwedishnationality)Profession:co-ownerofSetit,playwrightandwriter.Isaac,whospentanumberofyearsinSwedenduringtheEritreanwarofindependenceandtheborderdisputebetweenEritreaandEthiopia.Dateofbirth:1964Dateofarrest:Inthedaysfollowing23September2001,alongwithAmanuelAsrat,TemesgenGhebreyesus,MattewosHabteabandSeyoumTsehaye(seeabove).Sentence:ItisthoughtthatIsaac,likehiscolleagues,hasyettobeputontrial.Detailsofarrest:Thedetentionscameinthewakeoftheclosingdownofalleightindependentnewspapersbytheauthoritieson18September2001(theseincludetheweekliesMeqaleh,Setit,Tsigenay,Zemen,WintanaandAdmas).Theauthoritieshaveeitherdeniedthataclampdowntookplace,claiminginsteadthatthejournalistshavemerelybeensenttocarryouttheirnationalservice,orthattheclosuresandmassarrestswerenecessaryforthesakeofnationalunityorwerecarriedoutbecauseofthenewspapers’failuretocomplywithlawscoveringmedialicenses.However,amorelikelyexplanationisthatthecrackdownwasanattempttostampoutcriticismoftheEritreangovernment’streatmentofstudentsandpoliticaldissenters,andofitsconflictwithEthiopia.InApril2003,PresidentIsaiasAfewerkitoldRadioFranceInternationalethatthejournalistslistedasarrestedormissinghadbeenbribedbyforcesopposedtothegovernmenttocausedivision.Hestated,‘Youcannotsayaspyisajournalist…Inthemiddleofthewarwehadtocheckthem.Wehadtosayenoughisenough.’Ina2004interview,PresidentAfewerkicommentedthattherehadneverbeenanyindependentmediainEritrea,onlyjournalistsinthepayoftheCIA.InaTVinterviewinJune2009,PresidentAfewerkisaidthathedidnotknowwhatcrimeIsaachadcommittedbutthathehadmadea‘bigmistake’.HeaddedthattheEritreanauthoritieswouldnotreleaseIsaacorputhimontrialandthattheyhavetheir‘ownwaysofdealingwiththat’.Conditionsofdetention:Reportedlytortured.AsofJanuary2010,Isaacwasreportedlybeingkeptinsolitaryconfinement,inatinycellwithnowindowsandwasinverypoorphysicalandmentalhealth.Heandtheotherinmatesarereportedlynotallowedanycontactwitheachotherortheoutsideworld,areroutinelyshackledandreceivealmostnomedicalcare.InNovember2001,theSwedishlocalconsulheldabriefmeetingwithIsaacinjail.InNovember2005,Isaacwasbrieflyreleasedforamedicalcheck-upandwasallowedtocallhisfamilyandfriendsinSweden.ThiswasduetopressurebygroupsinSwedenbutdidnotleadtoIsaac’srelease:hewasreturnedtoprisontwodayslaterwithnoexplanation.SincethenIsaachasreportedlybeenmovedtovariousprisonsaroundthecountry.AccordingtoAmnestyInternationalinMay2011,hewasreportedlyinpoormentalandphysicalhealth.However,inMay2012,AmnestystatedthatithadreceivedreportsinOctober2011thatIsaacmayhavediedindetention,ashewasnolongerintheprisonwherehehadbeenheld.TheEritreangovernmentdidnotconfirmthesereports.AccordingtoPENEritrea,hewasheldinAsmara’smostsecuredprisonuntil2007whenhewastransferredtothemaximumsecurityprisoncenter,Eirairo.Update:AccordingtothelatestinformationleakedinFebruary2016,asof30June2016heisaliveindeterioratinghealth.Healthconcerns:Isaacreportedlysuffersfromadiabeticconditionthatrequiresmedicalsupervision.InApril2002,itwasreportedthatIsaachadbeenhospitalizedsufferingfrominjuriessustainedthroughhistorture.InJanuary2009,hewasreportedlytransferredfromprisontoanAirForcehospitalinAsmaraasaresultofseriousillnessbutwaslaterreturnedtoprison.Currentplaceofdetention:InMay2011,AmnestyInternationalreportedthatIsaacremainedindetention,allegedlyinEiraeiroprisoncamp,northofthecapitalAsmara.Otherinformation:InAugust2009,hewasamongthesubjectsofacommunicationfromtheUNSpecialRapporteuronthepromotionandprotectionoftherighttofreedomofopinionandexpressionandtheUNSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsdefenderstotheEritreanauthorities,towhichtheyhadreceivednoresponsebyMarch2011.InJuly

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2011,Isaac’sbrother,EsayasIsaac,reportedlyfiledawritofhabeascorpuswithEritrea’sSupremeCourtcallingforinformationonthejournalist’slocationandareviewofhisimprisonment.ThewritwasnotsupportedbytheSwedishgovernment;ForeignMinisterCarlBildtreportedlysaidthecountry'sgoalwastohaveIsaacreleasedonhumanitariangroundsratherthanstandtrial.TheSupremeCourtdidnotrespond.Asaresult,threeEuropeanjuristsreferredIsaac’scasetotheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeople’sRights(ACHPR),accordingtoReportersWithoutBorderson27October2012.Isaac’scasewasduetobeheardbytheACHPRduringtheCommission’sextra-ordinarysessionfrom18to25February2013inBanjul,TheGambia.TheACHPRjudgedIsaak’scasetobeadmissibleinJuly2014;theproceedingswereongoingasofJune2015.InlateJanuary2014,theEritreanambassadortoIsraelTesfamariamTekesteDebbasreportedlytoldjournalistsinTelAvivthatIsaacisstillalive,commenting‘whenhecomesanddoesn’tfollowthecountry’slaws,hemustbepunished’.Swedishdiplomacy:InSeptember2012,SwedishForeignMinisterCarlBildtsaidthattheSwedishgovernmentwasworkingforIsaac’srelease,butthatitcouldnotrevealdetailsofitsdiplomaticefforts.However,afewmonthsearlier,inaninterviewwithSwedishnewspaperAftonbladetinMay2012,PresidentAfwerkireportedlydeniedthatSwedenwasusinganyformofsilentdiplomacytogetIsaacoutofprisonandrefusedtocommentonsuggestionsthatIsaacmaybedead.ItwasreportedthatIsaac’slawyerwouldattendthesession.ForyearsdespitecallsfromtheSpecialRapporteuronEritreaforthegovernmenttoconfirmwhetherornotthejournalistswerestillalive,andontheirhealthandlegalstatus,aswellasaUNResolutionurgingfortheaccountingoftheG-15andthejournalists,theEritreangovernmenthadnotprovidedanyinformationonthefateofthejournalistsdetainedin2001.Accordingto23September2014reports,theSwedishprosecutorhasclosedaninvestigationintothecomplaintaccusingtheauthoritiesofcrimeagainsthumanity,tortureandabductionintheIsaakcase.LawyersactingforIsaakfileditwiththeSwedishjudicialauthoritiesinJuly.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,theprosecutordeemedthattheinvestigationwasawasteofresourcesastheEritreanauthoritieswereunlikelytocooperate.Update:On20June2016inaninterviewwithRFI,theForeignMinisterofEritreaclaimedthatIsaacwasalive,thoughnoproofhasbeenprovided.Inthesameinterview,theforeignministersaidthatthesemenwouldbetried‘whenthegovernmentdecides.’HonoraryMember:PENAmericanCentre,PENCanada,PENEritrea,FinnishPENandSwedishPEN.Awards:Isaacwasawardedthe2009TucholskyAwardbySwedishPEN,the2009NorwegianAuthors'UnionFreedomofExpressionPrizeandthe2011GoldenPenofFreedom,theannualpressfreedomprizeoftheWorldAssociationofNewspapersandNewsPublishers(WAN-IFRA).Anawardinhisnamewasestablishedin2007bytheSwedishNationalPressClub.Background:AcollectionofIsaac’swritings,entitledHope-theTaleofMosesandManna’sLove,waslaunchedatSweden’sGothenburgbookfairinSeptember2010.PENActions:RAN51/05andupdates;BecauseWritersSpeakTheirMindscampaignin2010,PENresolutions2013,2014,statement1June2015.

DetainedafterSeptember2001:

*AbubekerABDELAWEL:Profession:author,theatredirectorandactorwhoalsoworkedasareporterfortheMinistryofInformationindifferentzones;atonetimehewasassistantchief-editoroftheTigrinyadaily���-����(HaddasErtra:‘TheNewEritrea’).Dateofarrest:FebruaryorMarch2013Detailsofarrest:ArrestedinconnectionwiththeJanuary2013mutinyDetailsofdetention:hewastakentoanundisclosedlocationandhasapparentlyneverbeenbroughttocourt.Background:Hispublicationsinclude����������������(1984)(roughlytranslatesasTheFruitofTrueLoveisaGoodFamily).HonoraryMember:PENEritrea.

IdrisSAID‘Abu’Are’:

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Profession:authoroftwobooks(includingacollectionofshortstoriesinArabicpublishedin1992);freelancejournalistforindependentnewspaperTsigenay(ThePollinator),mainlyonmothertongueeducation;regularcontributortostate-runArabicdailynewspaperEritreaal-Haditha;disabledEritreanLiberationFrontveteran.Dateofarrest:October2001Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedafterquestioningtheG-15arrests(seeabove),accordingtoaMay2013reportbyAmnestyInternational.Detailsofdetention:Hehasbeendetainedincommunicadowithoutchargesincehisarrest,inasecretlocation,rumouredtobeEiraeiro.AccordingtoPENEritrea,Abu’areremainsdetained.Update:AccordingtoallegedinformationleakedinFebruary2016,hewasaliveindeterioratinghealthconditionuntilthefinaltransferfromEirairotoanundiscloseddetentioncentre.Background:Abu’arewasreportedlyabranchheadattheMinistryofLabourandHumanWelfareatthetimeofhisarrest.Monthsbeforehisarresthepublishedhisseminalworkonmother-tongueeducationinwhichhecriticisedthegovernment’spost-independencelanguagepolicy.Otherinformation:Heismarriedandhasonedaughter.Honorarymember:PENEritrea.PENAction:2016MotherLanguageDayAction

*SalehIDRIS‘Aljazeeri’:Profession:journalistforthestate-ownedArabicdailynewspaperEritreaal-HadithawhowasalsoworkingforEritreanStateRadioArabicdeskatthetimeofhisarrest.Dateofarrest:February2002.Detailsofdetention:Sincehisarresthehasbeendetainedinanundisclosedlocationwithnoofficialexplanationfromtheauthorities.AccordingtoPENEritrea,cell-mateswhohavebeenreleasedmentionedinsomeoftheinterviewsafterleavingthecountrythatheisbeingheldinKarsheli,Asmara’smostsecureprisoncentre.HonoraryMember:PENEritrea.*Jim’ieKIMEIL:Profession:investigativereporterandeditorofthesportssectionforthestate-ownedArabicdailynewspaperEritreaal-Haditha,whosecriticalarticleswerethesourceoftensionswithhisemployersattheMinistryofInformation;veteranfreedomfighter.Dateofarrest:24-25November2005Detailsofarrest:Detainedathishomeaspartofawaveofarreststhatreportedlyincludedother13prominentfigures(includingthefamoussinger-songwriterIdrisMohammedAliandTahaMohammedNur,oneofthefoundersoftheEritreanLiberationFront,ELF,whodiedindetentionin2008).Noreasonwasgivenforthearrestsbutitwasreportedlyrumouredthatitwastheirsupportfordemocraticchange.Update:AccordingtoallegedleakedonlineinformationfromFebruary2016andwidelydiscussedandreadintheEritreansocialmedia,Jim’iewaskilledbythestatesecurityalongwiththesingerIdrisMohammedAliandothertwocolleaguesonthe22ndofAugust2007.Detailsofdetention:Noneofthedetaineeswerecharged;theirwhereaboutsremainunknown.HonoraryMember:PENEritrea.

IdrisMOHAMEDALI:Profession:popularsingerandsongwriterintheTigrislanguage.Dateofarrest:November2005,accordingtoaMay2013reportbyAmnestyInternational.Detailsofdetention:NoreasonwasgivenforhisarrestbutaccordingtoAmnesty’ssourceshewassuspectedofoppositiontothegovernment.Hehasneverbeencharged,broughtbeforeacourtorbeengivenaccesstoalawyer.Placeofdetention:Hisfamilydonotknowwhereheisbeingheldandhavehadnonewsofhimsincehisarrest.Update:AccordingtoallegedleakedonlineinformationfromFebruary2016andwidelydiscussedandreadintheEritreansocialmedia,IdrisMohammedAliwaskilledalongwithJim’ieandtwocolleaguesonthe22ndofAugust2007.Honorarymember:PENEritrea.

Sahle‘Wedi-itay’TSEGAZAB(previouslylistedundernicknameWediITAY):

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Profession:branchheadattheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralandfreelancejournalistforthestatepressandthenforZemen;formermemberoftheEritreanPeople’sLiberationFront(EPLF).Dateofarrest:October2001.Placeofdetention:ThoughttobeheldatEiraeiroprisoncamp.Conditionsofdetention:Tsegazabwasinhis40satthetimeofhisarrestandasof2009wassaidtobeseriouslyill.AccordingtoaReportersWithoutBordersreportdated30August2012,TsegazabhaddiedinEiraeiroprisoncampfromanunidentifiedillnessandfromthelackofmedicaltreatment;hisdeathhasnotbeenofficiallyconfirmed.Otherinformation:AccordingtoPENEritrea,atthetimeofhisarresthewasservingasdirectorofthecivilianaffairsbranchattheAttorneyGeneral'sofficeandwasfinalizinghisdeparturetoSouthAfricatopursuehisstudies.Hehastwodaughters.Update:AccordingtoinformationleakedinFebruary2016,diedinJanuary2005inEirairo.Honorarymember:PENEritrea.

CaseClosedSultanyesusTSIGHEYOHANNES:Profession:journalistforthestate-ownedEnglishlanguagenewspaperEritreaProfile.Dateofarrest:December2008Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedinconnectiontohisfaith.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,hewasactiveinthePentecostalChurch,whichisbannedinEritrea.Detailsofdetention:Hewasneitherchargednorhiscurrentlocationdisclosedtohisfamily.

HonoraryMember:PENEritrea.

ETHIOPIA

Imprisoned:maincase

AsfawBERHANU:Profession:formercontributortotheprivatebilingualnewspaperTheReporter.Sentence:Twoyearsandninemonths’imprisonmentDateofarrest:Unclear,butinprisonasofdateofsentencingCurrentplaceofdetention:HawassaPrisonDetailsoftrial:Berhanuwasreportedlyconvictedon25December2013of‘spreadingfalserumours’andthereby‘creatingadangerofpublicdisturbances’underArticle486/1ofEthiopia’scriminalcode.Hereportedlyplannedtoappealthesentence.Berhanu’sconvictionfollowsthe4September2013publicationofanarticleinwhichheclaimedthatthreestategovernmentofficialshadbeenremovedfromtheirposts–allegationsthatlaterprovedtobefalse,accordingtonewsreports.Thenewspaperissuedafront-pageretractionon8SeptemberanddismissedBerhanu.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:On9October2013,threepolicemenarrestedReporterManagingEditorMelakuDemissieinconnectionwiththe4Septemberarticle.Hisreleasewasorderedthesameday(see2013CaseList).Background:TogethertheEnglishandAmharic-languageversionsofTheReporterconstituteEthiopia’sleadingindependentnewspaper.TheAmharic-languagewebsitegetsupto30,000visitorsaday.Thenewspaperanditsemployeeshavereportedlybeenthetargetofintimidationinthepast.InAugust2008,editor-in-chiefAmareAregawiwasillegallyarrestedandtransferredoutsideAddisAbaba,andsubsequentlysufferedaseriousattackafewmonthsafterhisrelease(seepreviousCaseLists).

TemesgenDESALEGN:Profession:editorofthenowdefunctindependentAmharic-languageweeklynewspaperFetehandmanagingdirectorofthebi-monthlymagazineAddisTimes,whichwascreatedaftertheauthoritiesclosedFetehinAugust2012.WasalsoaneditoratthenowdefunctFactmagazine.Sentence:threeyearsinprisonDateofarrest:13October2014Detailsoftrial:TheFederalHighCourtinthecapitalAddisAbabareportedlyfoundDesalegnguiltyofincitement,defamation,andfalsepublicationon13

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Octoberandsentencinghimtothreeyears’imprisonmenton27October2014.Hewasreportedlytakenintocustodyuponbeingconvicted.Placeofdetention:ZiwayPrisonHealthconcerns:Desalegnreportedlysuffersfromstomachandbackpainforwhichheusedtoreceiveweeklymedicalsupportbeforehewasjailed.However,sourcesindicatethathehasbeendeniedmedicalaccesssincehisimprisonmentandthathisbackpainhasworsenedtothepointthatwalkingisdifficultforhim.Conditionsinprison:DesalegnwasdeniedvisitorsformorethanamonthinFebruary2015,accordingtohismother,whosuspectsthatthepunishmentwasappliedinresponsetothepublicationofanarticlethathewrotefromprison.Accordingtonewsreports,hislawyersuggestedinaninterviewthatinOctober2015,thebrothersofDesalegnweredeniedaccesstovisithiminprison.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:Desalegnwasoriginallyjailedon24August2012inconnectionwitharticlespublishedinFetehwhichcriticizedthelatePrimeMinisterMelesZenawi.HewasreportedlychargedunderthreearticlesofEthiopia'sCriminalCode:Article613,‘defamationandcalumny’;Article486,‘incitingthepublicthroughfalserumours’;andArticle238,‘outragesagainsttheConstitutionortheConstitutionalOrder’.ThecompanythatpublishesFetehwasalsochargedwithincitingthepublictoviolence.Fourdayslater,on27August2012,Desalegnwasreleasedandallchargesagainsthimandthepublishingcompanyweredropped.Theauthoritiesdidnotexplainwhythechargeshadbeendropped.On8February2013,itwasreportedthatthechargesfacedbyDesalegnin2012hadbeenreinstated.

YusufGETACHEW:Profession:editorofthenow-defunctweeklynewspaperYeMuslimochGuday(MuslimAffairs).Sentence:sevenyearsDateofarrest:20July2012.Detailsofarrest:Arrestedinthecapital,AddisAbaba,followingaraidonhishouseandtakentotheMaekelawiFederalDetentionCentre.ThepolicereportedlyconfiscatedfourofGetachew’smobiletelephones,hiswife’sdigitalcamera,somebooksand6,000birr(US$334).Theeditorspentweeksinpre-trialdetentionatMaekelawi,withnoaccesstohisfamilyandonlylimitedcontactwithhislawyer.Hewasheldformorethanthreemonthsbeforebeingcharged.Currentplaceofdetention:KalityPrison,AddisAbaba.Detailsoftrial:On29October2012,GetachewappearedincourtandwaschargedundertheAnti-TerrorismProclamation2009withplottingactsof‘terrorism,intendingtoadvanceapolitical,religiousorideologicalcause’byforce;andthe‘planning,preparation,conspiracy,incitementandattemptofterroristacts.’Getachew’strialwaspartofawidertrialofatleast29MuslimprotestleadersandotherschargedunderEthiopia’sAnti-TerrorismProclamation.Thetrialwasreportedlymarredbyseriousdueprocessviolations,includingunderminingthedefendants’presumptionofinnocenceandwasclosedtothepublic.On1December2013itwasreportedthatGetachewwasbeingheldatKalityPrisoninAddisAbaba.Duringhistrial,Getachewtoldthecourtthathehadbeenbeatenwhileincustody–acomplaintthathasnotbeenadequatelyinvestigatedasboththefirstinstancecourtandthehighcourthaveclaimednottohavethejurisdictionoversuchmatters.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,inAugust2015hewassentencedtosevenyearsinprisonbytheAddisHighCourtbutplannedtoappealthesentence.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:LocaljournalistsbelievethatMuslimjournalistsandnewspaperswerebeingharassedaspartofanattempttoquellmediacoverageofprotestswhichbeganin2011byEthiopianMuslimsrelatingtogovernmentpoliciesthattheysaidinterferedwiththeirreligiouspractices.YeMuslimochGudayprovidedextensivecoverageoftheprotests.OtherYeMuslimochGudayjournalistshavegoneintohiding,andthepublicationceasedoperationsfollowingGetachew’sarrest.Accordingtoreports,manyjournalistsattemptingtocoverorreportontheprotestsweredetainedorintimidated.Despitethesearrests,protestscontinuedthroughoutthecountryin2013.InFebruary2013,themanagingeditorofYeMuslimochGuday,SolomonKebede,wasdetainedbytheauthorities(seebelow).Otherinformation:TheUSCommissiononInternationalReligiousFreedom(USCIRF)condemnedon6August2015theconditionsunderwhich18‘Muslimleaders’–Getachewamongthem–weredetained.TheUSCIRFcalledontheUSGovernmentto‘speakoutpubliclyagainstthesesentences’.[Stoppress:Itwasannouncedon10September2016thatGetachewhadbeenreleasedaspartofapresidentialpardontomarkbothEthiopia’sNewYearandEid.Itwas

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reportedthathewasoneof135Muslimsreleasedwhowereservingjailsentencesafterbeingconvictedonreligiousextremismandterrorismcharges,mainlyafterthe2012protests.TheProsecutorGeneralsaidthattheprisonerswerereleasedaftertheywrotealetterofremorse.ItwasnotimmediatelyclearifGetachew’spardonwasunconditional.]

EskinderNEGA:Profession:journalistfornow-defunctpoliticalmagazineChangeDateofbirth:1968Sentence:18yearsDateofarrest:9September2011Placeofdetention:KalityPrison,AddisAbaba.Detailsoftrial:NegawasarrestedunderEthiopia’ssweepingAnti-TerrorismProclamation.Hewasofficiallychargedunderthesamelegislationon11November2011.HewasaccusedofhavingarelationshipwiththeleadersofGinbot7,‘planningterroristacts’(article4)andincitingthepublictooverthrowthegovernmentencouragementofterrorism–article6),passingsuchinformationtoGinbot7andtheenemystateofEritreaandcalling,organisingandleadingameetingthatwassummonedforthepurposeofterroristgoals.LocaljournalistssuspectthatsomeofNega'srecentwritingscriticisingthegovernment'sarrestofthefamedEthiopianactorDebebeEshetuonterrorismchargestriggeredhisarrest.Negaappearedbeforeacourton15September2011wherehewasremandedincustodyfor28days.HewaschargedundertheCriminalCodeandtheAnti-TerrorismProclamationon11November2011althoughsomeoftheinitialchargeswerelaterdropped,accordingtothegovernment.Histrialbeganon5March2012onchargesof‘committingaterroristact’(article3[1,2,3,4,and6]oftheAnti-TerrorProclamation);‘servingasaleaderinaterroristorganisation(article7[2]oftheAnti-TerrorProclamation),‘treason’(articles32[1a]and248[b]oftheCriminalCode,and‘espionage’(articles32[1a]and252[1a]oftheCriminalCode.Hewasconvictedon27June2012;theprosecutoraskedforalifesentence.On13July2012,Negawassentencedto18yearsinjail.AtthebeginningofNovember2012heappearedbrieflyincourttoappealthechargesofterrorismagainsthim.Accordingtoreports,hisappealwascutshortandhewasnotallowedtoreadhisdefencestatement.Hisappealhearingwasthenrepeatedlyrescheduled.On2May2013,theEthiopianFederalSupremeCourtupheldNega’sconvictionandsentence.Oneofthechargesagainsthim,‘servingasaleaderofaterroristorganisation’,wasdropped,buthissentencewasnotreduced.Nega,representinghimself,reportedlyfiledanappealtotheCourtofCassationinMay2013,asof30June2016itwasnotclearwhetherahearinghadbeenheld.On18October2013,itwasreportedthatanappealwaslodgedonbehalfofNegaandReeyotAlemu(f)(see2015CaseList)withtheAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples’Rights.TheCommissionwasexpectedtoconsidertheappealinasessionbeginninginOctober2014.AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,therulinghasbeensubjecttodelaysowingtotheEbolacrisis.Nonewinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:AnopinionhandeddownbytheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention(WGAD)inDecember2012foundthattheEthiopiangovernment’scontinueddetentionofNegaconstitutedaviolationofinternationallaw,violatingNega’srightstofreeexpressionanddueprocess,recognising‘severalbreachesofMr.Nega’sfairtrialrights’.AccordingtoWGAD’spaneloffiveindependentexperts,Nega’simprisonmentcame‘asaresultofhispeacefulexerciseoftherighttofreedomofexpression’andcalledforhisimmediaterelease.However,theWGAD’sopinionisnotbinding.Background:Negawaspreviouslybrieflyarrestedanddetainedbythefederalpoliceon11February2011afterleavinganinternetcaféinAddisAbaba.HewasaccusedofattemptingtoinciteprotestssimilartothosethattookplaceinEgyptandTunisiainearly2011inarticleshehadrecentlypostedonline-inparticularonepostedaweekearlierinwhichhedefendedtherighttopeacefulprotest.HewaswarnedthatthisarticlewasviewedasanattempttounderminethearmyandthathewouldbeheldresponsibleforanyproteststhattookplaceinEthiopia.Negawasjailedalongwithhiswife,journalistSerkalemFasil,between2005and2007ontreasonchargesfortheircoverageofproteststhatfollowedthe2005legislativeelections.Awards:PENAmericanCentrenamedEskinderNegaasits2012PEN/BarbaraGoldsmithFreedomtoWriteAwardWinneron12April2012.In2014,hewasawardedWAN-IFRA’sGoldenPenofFreedomaward.In2015,hewonthePENCanadaOneHumanityAward.Honorarymember:PENUSA,PENCanada.PENAction:andupdates,Calltoaction19December2013

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WoubshetTAYE:Profession:deputyeditoroftheindependentweeklyAwrambaTimesSentence:14yearsinprisonDateofarrest:19June2011Detailsofarrest:TayewasarrestedathishomeinAddisAbabaon19June2011bysecurityagentswhoconfiscatedvariousdocuments,cameras,CDsandcopiesofAwrambaTimes,whichprovidesin-depthpoliticalcoverage.Hewasinitiallydetainedincommunicadowithoutchargeandlatersaidthathehadbeendeniedaccesstoalawyerduringhisinterrogation.Theauthoritiesdidnotdisclosethereasonforhisarrest,butitwassuspectedthathewasdetainedunderEthiopia’s2009Anti-TerrorismProclamationduetohisallegedsympathyforthebannedpoliticalpartyGinbot7,whichtheEthiopiangovernmenthadrecentlydesignatedasaterroristorganisation.Currentplaceofdetention:TayewasheldatthefederalinvestigationcentreatMaekelawiPrisoninthecapitalAddisAbaba,beforebeingtransferredtoKalityprison,ontheoutskirtsofAddisAbaba.HewasreportedlytransferredtoZiwayprison,about83milessoutheastofthecapital,on19April2013.InOctober2014,hewasreportedlytransferredbacktoKalityprison.Detailsoftrial:On6September2011,TayeappearedbeforeEthiopia’sHighCourtalongwithReeyotAlemu(see2015caselist).BothwerechargedundertheAnti-TerrorismProclamation.Theirlawyerssaidtheydidnothaveanydetailsaboutthechargesastheywerenotnotifiedofthehearingandasaresultcouldnotattend.TerrorismchargeswerealsofiledinabsentiaagainstEliasKifle,editoroftheUS-basedanti-governmentwebsiteEthiopianReview;KiflelivesinexileintheUSA.On19January2012,TayeandAlemuwereconvictedandsentencedto14yearsinprisonfor‘lendingsupporttoterroristorganisations’(article5oftheAnti-TerrorProclamation).Kiflewassentencedinabsentiatolifeimprisonment.InSeptember2013Taye’sapplicationforapresidentialpardonwasrejected,accordingtonewsreports.Conditionsindetention:DuringacourthearinginAugust2011,Tayesaidthathehadbeentorturedbystateofficialswhilehewasbeinginterrogatedinprison;thecourtdidnotinvestigatehiscomplaint.TayeisreportedtohavepublishedacollectionofessaysinSeptember2014entitledTheVoiceofFreedom,detailinghistrialandthechallengesEthiopianjournalistsface.Thepolicearereportedtohaverestrictedvisitsbyfriendsandfamilyafterthebookwasreleased.On1December2015,localnewsreportspublishedTaye’slettersentfromprison.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:AsofearlySeptember2011hewasreportedlysufferingfrompaininhisearandstomachasaresultofbeatings,buthadnotbeengivenanymedicaltreatment.TayeisalsosaidtohavesufferedfromakidneyinfectionfollowinghistransfertoZiwayprisoninApril2013butwassaidtofinallyhavereceivedtreatmentfortheinfectionuponhisreturntoKalityprisoninOctober2014.Awards:TayeisarecipientofHumanRightsWatch’sHellman-HammettAward2012andCNN’sFreePressAfricaAward2013.PENAction:andupdates

ZelalemWORKAGEGNEHU:Profession:bloggerfordiaspora-basedblog,DeBirhanSentence:Fiveyearsandtwomonths’imprisonmentDateofarrest:8July2014Detailsofarrest:WorkagegnehuwasreportedlyheldwithoutchargeuntilOctober2014whenhewasfinallychargedwithhavinglinkstodiaspora-basedoppositionmovementGinbot7.OfficialsclaimedthatWorkagegnehuhadbeenco-facilitatingwhatwasa‘trainingcamptoterrorisethecountry’,butwhichheandothershavesaidwasaworkshopondigitalcommunication,socialmediaandleadership.Currentplaceofdetention:WorkagegnehuwasoriginallyheldinKilintoprisonbuthasreportedlybeentransferredtoZewayPrison,140kmSouthofAddisAbaba.Detailsoftrial:Accordingtoreportsdated8June2015,thecriminalbenchofLidetaFederalHighCourtinAddisAbababeganhearingwitnessesfortheprosecution.MostofthechargeswerereportedlydroppedagainsthimexceptforchargesforreceivingmoneyfromabroadinordertorecruitmembersfortheoppositionmovementGinbot7,andfacilitatingmediatraining.On30December2015,aCourthearingwasheldandAbrahaDesta,asocialmediaactivistandofficialoftheoppositionArenaTigray,andAbrahamSolomonwhowasalsodetainedwithWorkagegnehu,appearedaswitnesses.Thetrialwaspostponedto27January2016andEskinderNega(seeImprisoned–maincaseabove)wasduetoappearasawitness.Accordingtoanewsreport,AbrahatestifiedthathehadadvisedWorkagegnehutoconfessashewasbeatendailyandhefearedthatWorkagegnehucouldbeseverelyinjuredafterthistorture.Abrahaalsosuggestedthat

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thewitnessusedbytheprosecutorswastoldthatifhetestifiedagainstWorkagegnehuandcolleagueshewouldlaterbereleasedandifnot,hehimselfwouldbeheldinprison.Workagegnehuwasfoundguiltyon15April2016ofviolatingarticle7(1)oftheAnti-TerrorismProclamation(ATP),andsentencedon10May2016.Twoofhisco-defendantswereacquittedinApril,andtwomorewerefoundguilty.Anappealhasbeenlodged.Conditionsofimprisonment:Workagegnehuandtwoofhisco-defendantshaveclaimedthattheyweretorturedwhilstimprisonedWorkagegnehuhasalsosaidthathewasforcedtosignconfessionletters,andthathenowsuffersfromeyepainasaresultofthebeatings.PENAction:RAN12/16[Stoppress:AnappealwasfiledbuttheSupremeCourtupheldthesentenceinAugust.AnappealwasbeingfiledattheCourtofCassation.]

Detained:maincase

GetachewSHIFERAW:Profession:editor-in-chiefofonlinenewspaperNegereEthiopiaDateofarrest:25December2015Detailsofarrest:Hewasreportedlyarrestedon25December2015byfederalpolicewhilehewaswalkingtohisofficeinAddisAbabaandtakentoMaekelawi,afederalpoliceinvestigationcentre.Accordingtoa2013HumanRightsWatchreport,detaineesatthiscentrearefrequentlyill-treatedortortured.On26December2015,acourtruledtoallowthepolicetokeephimindetentionunderinvestigationfor28days,renewablefourtimes.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,inApril2016thecourtorderedtheFederalPolicetoclosetheinvestigationastimehadrunouttoconductinvestigationsundertheAnti-TerrorismProclamation;however,hewaskeptinpolicecustodyandwaschargedon23MayDetailsoftrial:ShiferawwaschargedinMay2016underarticle7(1)oftheAnti-TerrorismProclamationinrelationtosocialmediaposts.Currentplaceofdetention:HehasbeenmovedtoKilintodetentioncentre.Background:TheonlinenewspaperNegereEthiopiaisreportedlyaffiliatedwiththeBlueParty,anoppositionpartythathasbeencampaigningforpoliticalopennessinEthiopia.Allegedly,forthisreasonaboutayearagoNegereEthiopiawasforcedtosuspenditsprinteditionandiscurrentlyonlyavailableonline.ThenewspaperhadalsobeencoveringpoliticaltrialssuchastheZone9bloggercase(SeeReleasedbelow).

*YonatanTESFAYE:Profession:spokespersonfortheoppositionSemayawiPartyDateofarrest:December2015Detailsofarrest:YonatanTesfayewasreportedlyarrestedinDecember2015,afterpostingonhisownFacebookpageinNovember2015commentsagainstthegovernment’splanstoextendthecapital’sauthoritytotheOromiaregion;thegovernmentconsidersthesecommentstobeinpursuitofthegoalsoftheOromoLiberationFront(OLF),whichithasdesignatedaterroristorganisation.HewashelduntilMay2016withoutchargeDetailsoftrial:InMay2016,hewaschargedwith11counts,including’incitement,planning,preparation,conspiracyandattempt’tocommitaterroristactunderarticle4oftheAnti-TerrorismProclamationinrelationto11socialmediaposts.Hispreliminarydefencewasrejectedon21June2016.[Stoppress:On4August2016,thecourtamendedthechargetoarticle6oftheAnti-Terrorproclamationwhichprohibits‘encouragement’ofterrorism.Thenexttrialsessionisdueon24October2016.]Conditionsofdetention:Ithasbeenreportedthattherehavebeenclaimsthathemayhavebeentorturedorotherwiseill-treatedwhilstindetentionatMaekelawiFederalDetentionCentre;thisprisonisknownfortheuseoftorture.

Detained-investigation

EliasGEBRU:Profession:editor-in-chiefoftheindependentnewsmagazineEnkuDateofarrest:11November2014Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoareportbyAwrambaTimes,GebruwasdetainedinconnectionwithacolumnpublishedinEnku.TheFederalHighCourtorderedhimtopostbailof20,000Ethiopianbirr(US$1,000)orfacedetentionuntilhistrial,scheduledthenfor5January2015.Unabletopaythebail,Gebruwasdetained.NewsreportofApril2015suggestedthatGebruisstillontrial.

25

Itisunclearifhestillinprison.Nonewinformationasof30June2016.Placeofdetention:KilintoPrisonBackgroundremains:On26May2014GebruwasreportedlydetainedafterEthiopia’sfederalpolicesummonedhimforquestioninginconnectionwiththesamecolumnpublishedinEnkumentionedabove.Thecolumninquestionreportedlydiscussedamonumentrecentlyerectedoutsidethecapital,AddisAbaba,inhonourofethnicOromosmassacredinthe19thcenturybyEmperorMenelik’sforces.ThemonumenthasreportedlyigniteddivisionsbetweensomeOromosandsupportersoftheemperor’slegacy.Accordingtonewsreports,localjournalistsbelievetheauthoritieswereattemptingtolinkEnkutodeadlyclashesbetweenOromostudentprotestersandthesecurityforces,whichtookplaceinApril2014.

Ontrial

BefeqaduHAILU:Profession:ContributortotheZone9blogDateofarrest:25April2014Dateofrelease:21October2015Detailsofarrest:HewasarrestedwithfiveothercontributorstotheZone9blogandthreejournalistsandaccusedofworkingwithforeignhumanrightsorganisationsandreceivingfinancetoincitepublicviolencethroughsocialmedia(See2015caselist).Hailuwasreleasedonbailon21October2015butfacesanadditionalchargeofincitingviolence.On24December2015hewassummonedwithfourothermembersoftheZone9blogginggroup-Soleyana,AbelWabella,NatnailFeleke,AtnafBerhane-toappearincourton30December2015forahearingintotheappealoftheprosecutionagainstthedroppingofterrorismchargesagainstthem,butthehearingwasdelayeduntilFebruary2016.On4February2016,thefivemembersoftheZone9blogginggroup,includingHailu,appearedincourtinrelationtotheappealofthedecisiontodropchargesagainstthem.Hailualsofaceschargesofincitingviolence,whichisstillpendingasof30June2016.[StopPress:Hailuwasreportedlydetainedon11November,thoughitwasunclearunderwhatcharges.HehadrecentlyspokentoAljazeera’sEnglishbroadcastabouttheIrrechaaamassacreattheOromoculturalfestivalon2October2016]Otherinformation:TheOHCHRWorkingGroupinArbitraryDetentionadoptedaresolutionstatingthattheybelievedthedetentionofHailuandtheotherZone9bloggersandjournalistswasincontraventionofarticles5,9,10,11,19oftheUDHRandarticles7,9,14,19and22oftheICCPR(InternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights).

AtnafBERHANE,Profession:ContributortotheZone9blogNatnaelFELEKE,Profession:ContributortotheZone9blogSoleyanaSGerbremichael,Profession:ContributortotheZone9blogBefeqaduHAILU:Profession:ContributortotheZone9blogAbelWABELLA,Profession:ContributortotheZone9blogDetailsoftrial:AfterthereleaseandacquittaloftheZone9bloggersin2015,theProsecutorappealedagainsttheacquittalandbailofSoleyana,AbelWabella,NatnailFeleke,AtnafBerhane,andBefekaduHailu,whichisongoingasof30June2016.Background:In2014Berhane,Feleke,Gerbremichael,HailuandWabellawereformallychargedalongsidetwootherZone9bloggersandthreejournalistswithintendingto‘destabilisethenation,’connectionstooutlawedorganisationsincludingGinbot7andtheOromoLiberationFront(OLF),andplanningtocarryoutterrorismundertheAnti-TerrorismAct(Gerbremichaelinabsentia);theywereheldformorethan80dayswithoutcharge,beyondthemaximumperiodallowedunderthelaw.TheZone9bloggerswereaccusedofworkingwithforeignhumanrightsorganisationsandreceivingfinancetoincitepublicviolencethroughsocialmedia.Wabella,BerhaneandFelekewerereleasedon17October2015andHailuon21October2015.Zone9isanindependentcollectiveofbloggerswhocampaignagainstpoliticalrepressionandhumanrightsabusesinEthiopia.[Stoppress:NatnailFelekewasdetainedon4Octoberonchargeshehadmade"seditiousremarks"inarestaurantwhilecriticizingsecurityforces.Hewaslaterreleased.InNovemberCPJreportedthatEthiopia'sSupremeCourtonNovember15continuedhearingtheprosecutors'appealthe2015acquittalofthefivebloggers.]Awards:2015

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ReportersWithoutBordersPrizeforPressFreedom(toZone9collective)PENAction:WorldPressFreedomDayaction3May2014,Jointopenletter24July2014,pressstatement24April2015

Harassed

*WilliamDAVISON,Profession:correspondentforBloomberg*JaceyFORTIN(f),Profession:freelancejournalistDateofharassment:3March2016Detailsofharassment:Justaftermidday,Davison,FortinandatranslatortheyhadhiredwerearrestedneartheeasterntownofAwash,itwasreported.ThepolicetooktheiridentificationcardsandphonesandthenescortedthembacktoAddisAbaba,weretheywereheldovernightatapolicestationjail.Allthreewerereleasedthefollowingdayaroundnoon,butwerereportedlynotgivenanyreasonsfortheirdetention.

Sentenced

EndalkachewTESFAYE,profession:publisherofAddisGudaymagazineGizawTAYEHORDOFA,profession:publisherofLomimagazineFatumaNURIYA,profession:publisherofFactmagazineSentence:Threeyearsandthreemonths(TesfayeandHordofa);threeyearsand11months(Nuriya)inprisonDetailsoftrial:AccordingtoOctober2014,thethreepublishersweresentencedinabsentiafor‘incitingviolentrevolts,printinganddistributingunfoundedrumoursandconspiringtounlawfullyabolishtheconstitutionalsystemofthecountry.’Theyhadreportedlyfledthecountrybeforethetrialbegan.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,TayeHordofawassentencedinabsentiato18yearsinprisoninOctober2015inaseparatecase.Heisreportedlybeingchargedfortaxevasion.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

SolomonKEBEDE:Profession:managingeditorofthenow-defunctweeklynewspaperYeMuslimochGuday(MuslimAffairs)Dateofarrest:17January2013Dateofrelease:April2016Detailsofarrest:KebedewasarrestedbytheEthiopiansecurityforcesinAddisAbabaundertheAnti-TerrorismProclamation.Localjournalistsbelievethathisarrestwaslinkedtohiscolumnscriticisingperceivedgovernmentintrusioninreligiousaffairs.Kebedehadrecentlycovereddemonstrationsstagedin2012byMuslimsprotestingallegedinterferenceinIslamicCouncilelections.Detailsoftrial:Kebedewasarrestedandreportedlyheldforovertwomonthswithoutcharge,atleastsomeofthetimeinsolitaryconfinement.TheAnti-TerrorismProclamationpermitspre-trialdetentionforuptofourmonthswithoutcharge.Acourtdatewassetfor13February2013.On15March2013,thefirstinstancecourtreportedlygrantedthepoliceanadditional28daysforfurtherinvestigation.Asof2April2013hereportedlystillhadnoaccesstoalawyer.Hewaseventuallychargedwith‘incitementtoterrorism’alongwith27others.Theauthoritiesarereportednottohavedisclosedanyevidenceagainsthim.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,Kebedewassentencedtoaprisontermon10March2016,morethanthreeyearsafterbeingjailedonanti-terrorismcharges.Reportsvaryastothelength,citingbetweenthreeyears11monthsandfouryearsand10months.HewasreleasedinApril2016ashehadalreadyservedthreeyearsofhisjailterm.Healthconcerns:Kebede’shealthwassaidtobepoorwhenhewasindetention.Otherinformation:YeMuslimochGudaywasreportedlyforcedtostoppublishinginJuly2012,followingthearrestofitseditorYusufGetachew(seeabove).LocaljournalistsreportedlysuspectedthatKebedewasheldsothattheauthoritiescouldquestionhimonthewhereaboutsoftwoofhiscolleaguesfromthepaper,senioreditorAkemelNegashandcopyeditorIsaacEshetu,whowentintohidinginAugust2012aftertheirhomeswerekeptundersurveillanceforseveralweeks.PENAction:RAN15/11andupdates.

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GAMBIA

Enforceddisappearance

‘Chief’EbrimahMANNEH:Profession:reporterandsub-editorwiththepro-governmentDailyObserverDateofarrest:7July2006Detailsofenforceddisappearance:MannehwasreportedlyarrestedbytwoNationalIntelligenceAgency(NIA)officersandhasbeenheldinincommunicadodetentionbytheNIAatvarioussiteseversince,seeminglywithouthavingbeenchargedwithanyoffence.TheNIAhasrepeatedlydeniedthattheyhavethejournalistintheircustody;thegovernmentalsodeniesanyknowledgeofhiscase.ItisbelievedthatthereasonforManneh’sarrestisthatheisallegedtohavehadcontactwithaforeignjournalistbeforetheJuly2006AfricanUnionSummitheldintheGambiancapitalBanjul.MannehapparentlygavethisjournalistinformationdeemedbytheGambiangovernmenttohavebeendamagingtothecountry’simage.Accordingtoaformercolleague,OusmanDarboe,MannehreprintedaBBCstorycriticalofPresidentYahyaJammeh’sdemocraticcredentials;hisdecisionwaslateroverruledbyeditorsandtherelevantissueoftheObserverwithdrawn.Mannehhasreportedlybeenmovedaroundthecountrythroughouthisdetentionandalthoughthelocalmediahasreportedseeinghimonseveraloccasions,thegovernmentremainedsilentonthesubjectuntilApril2009(seebelow).Mannehwasreportedlyseenon26July2007atGambia’smainhospitalwherehewasreceivingtreatmentforhighbloodpressure.HewassaidtobeveryweakandwasaccompaniedbymembersofthePoliceInterventionUnit(PIU),aparamilitarywingoftheGambianPoliceForceandPrisonService.PriortothesightingMannehhadapparentlybeendetainedatMileTwoCentralPrisonontheoutskirtsofBanjul,beforebeingbrieflyadmittedtoGamtelWardHospitalandthenbeingtransferredtoamilitaryclinicinBanjul.Detailsofinvestigation:On6April2009,theGambianauthoritiesfinallybroketheirsilencewithregardstoManneh’sdisappearancewhentheAttorneyGeneralandMinisterofJusticepubliclystatedthatthejournalistwasnotinpolicecustodyandrejectedthe2008ECOWASruling(seebelow).AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ),ina16March2011meetingwiththeGambianmediathatwasbroadcastonstatetelevision,PresidentJammehsuggestedthatMannehmayhavedied.‘LetmemakeitveryclearthatthegovernmenthasnothingtodowiththedeathofChiefMannehorDeydaHydaraorthedisappearancesofsomanypeople,’saidthePresident.HealsosuggestedthatMannehmayhavedisappearedafterattemptingtoillegallymigratetoEuropeortheUnitedStates.On6July2011,aGambianNationalPolicespokesmantoldCPJthatthepolicehadnoinformationaboutManneh.Inaninterviewon6October2011withtheDailyNews,Gambia'sjusticeminister,EdwardGomez,deniedMannehwasinstatecustodyanddeclaredthatheisalive.AccordingtoofficialsfromtheBritishForeignandCommonwealthOffice,therewillbeaninvestigationintothedisappearanceofChiefEbrimahManneh.On28September2012itwasreportedthatPresidentJammehhadgiventheUnitedNationspermissiontoinvestigateManneh’sdisappearance.Otherinformation:On5June2008,theCommunityCourtofJusticeoftheEconomicCommunityofWestAfricanStates(ECOWAS)inNigeriadeclaredManneh’sarrestanddetentionillegalandorderedtheGambianauthoritiestoreleasehim.ThecourtalsoawardedMannehUS$100,000incompensationfromtheGambiangovernment.Thegovernmentrefusedtocooperatethroughoutthecourtproceedings.AccordingtoaHumanRightsWatchreportpublishedon16September2015,thegovernmentofGambiahasfailedtocomplywiththeECOWASCommunityCourtofJusticeruling,whichin2008orderedtheGambiangovernmenttoreleaseMannehimmediatelyandpayhisfamily$100,000incompensation.TheCommunityCourtofJusticefoundthedetentiontobeinviolationofinternationallaw,anddespitetherulingbeinglegallybinding,Gambiacontinuestoignoreit.InNovember2009,theUnitedNationsWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionissuedanopinionstatingthattheGambiangovernment’sarrestandcontinueddetentionofManneharewithoutlegaljustificationandinviolationofinternationallaw,andcalledforMannehtobereleasedimmediately.On10June2014,theECOWAScourtheldthatpreviousrulingsagainsttheGambia,includingManneh'scase,provedtheGambiangovernmentwasfosteringaclimateofimpunitywhichinitself

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wasaviolationoffreedomofexpression.A6June2016fromtheMediaFoundationofWestAfricareportedthatthewhereaboutsofMannehwasstillunknown,andthattheGambiangovernmenthasstillnotcompliedwithECOWASrulings.

IVORYCOAST

Killed:impunity

DésiréOUÉ:Profession:editoroftheChristianpublicationTomorrowMagazineDateofdeath:14November2013Detailsofdeath:Ouéwasreportedlykilledinunclearcircumstancesonthenightof14November2013.Accordingtoreports,OuéwasshotinthechestathishomeinAbidjanbyunidentifiedarmedmen.Accordingtosomemediareports,theassailantsthentookcomputersanddocumentsfromthehouse.Detailsofinvestigation:Onthebasisofapreliminaryinvestigationtheauthoritiesstatedthatthemurderwastheresultofaburglarygonewrong.OnepressreportsaidthatOuéwasknowninhisareaforbeinganactivistinsupportofformerpresidentLaurentGbagbointhe2010presidentialelections.TheIvoryCoastPrivatePressUnion(leSyndicatdelapresseprivéedeCôted'Ivoire--Synapp-CI)hascalledforafullinvestigation.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekinganupdate.

Enforceddisappearance

Guy-AndréKIEFFER(French-Canadiannational):Profession:writerandindependentreporterDateofbirth:c1950Dateofdisappearance:16April2004Detailsofdisappearance:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,hewas‘abductedfromthecarparkofanAbidjansupermarketon16April2004afterfallingintoatrapsetforhimbyamemberof[former]PresidentLaurentGbagbo'sentourage’.Heisassumedtohavebeenkilled.ForinformationonKieffer’sjournalisticwork,seepreviouscaselists.Detailsofinvestigation:TheinvestigationintoKieffer’sdisappearancehasdraggedonsince2004withnoconclusion.FrenchjudgePatrickRamaël,whoinitiallyledtheinvestigation,reportedlyfacedconstantobstructionbytheIvorianauthoritiesthroughouthistenureasinvestigatingjudgeinthecase,althoughtheyhavedeniedthis.KeysuspectshaveincludedMichelLegré–thebrother-in-lawofformerPresidentGbagbo’swife,SimoneGbagbo–whowasdetainedfor18monthsinconnectionwiththecasebeforebeinggrantedprovisionalreleaseinOctober2005.Jean-TonyOulaï,anIvorianarmycaptainwhoclaimstohavebelongedtotheIvorianspecialservices,wasdetainedfortwo-and-a-halfyearsfrom2007onsuspicionofkidnappingandillegallydetainingKiefferbeforebeingprovisionallyreleasedinApril2010.InOctober2009,itwasreportedthatamanclaimingtobeasoldierintheIvorianarmysaidthatKiefferhadbeenkilledbymembersofSimoneGbagbo’sentourage,withoutherknowledge,duringabotchedinterrogationwithinthepresidentialcompound.However,inapparentresponsetothenewtestimony,thethenIvorianstateprosecutorRaymondTchimoustatedthatKiefferhadbeentakenoutofthecountryandwasstillalive.Tchimouofferednootherexplanationsordetailsonthejournalist’spurportedwhereabouts.On14April2011,Kieffer’swifeanddaughtermetwiththeIvorianambassadorinParistoaskwhatpossibilitiestherewereoffurtherinvestigationintoKieffer’scasefollowingthedepartureofformerpresidentLaurentGbagbo.Afterthemeetingtheambassadorreportedlystatedthatthe‘wholetruth’wouldberevealedaboutKieffer’sdisappearanceandthathewouldspeaktotheministerofjusticeaboutthematterthesameday.HeaddedthatPresidentOuattarawantedtoputanendtoimpunityandestablishtheruleoflawinCôted'Ivoire.Kieffer’swifenotedthatPresidentOuattarahadbackedthefamilyfromthetimethejournalistdisappeared.InalettersentinApril2013,Kieffer’sfamily,alongwiththeheadoftheTruthforGuy-AndréKiefferAssociationandthesecretary-generalofReportersWithoutBorders,askedFrenchPresidentFrançoisHollandetoraiseKieffer’sabductionwithhisIvorian

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counterpartattheirmeetingon11April2013.Theletterreportedthatwhilepositivedevelopmentshavebeenseenwithregardstothecase–includingtheappointmentofanewinvestigatingjudgeandaprosecutor,aswellasthefacilitationoftheworkoftheJudgeRamaël–thecasehasfailedtoadvanceadequately,withKieffer’sfatestillunknown.ThefamilyandcivilianpartieswerescheduledtomeetwithFrenchforeignministryofficialson16April2013,theninthanniversaryofKieffer’sabduction.InSeptember2013,JudgeRamaëlwasdischargedfromthecase,owingtoastatutoryrulewhichdecreesthatnoonemayholdthesamepositionforlongerthan10years.OnthetenthanniversaryofKieffer’sdisappearanceinApril2014,reportssuggestedthatneitherhisfamilyorlawyersnorotherinterestedpartieshadbeencontactedbythenewjudgesputinchargeoftheinvestigationinSeptember2013,CyrilPaquauxandNicolasBlot.InJuly2014ReportersWithoutBorders(RSF)askedFrenchPresidentFrançoisHollandetorequestthecreationofaspecialcommissionofenquiryortheformationajointjudicialinvestigativeunitbytheFrenchandIvorianjudgesinchargeofthecase.Inawrittenreplyon20October2014,theElyséePalacesaidsolvingthecasecontinuedtobea‘priorityforFrance’andpromisedtomonitor‘theprogressofthisinvestigationbeingconductedbythejudicialauthoritiesofthetwocountriesconcerned,FranceandCôted’Ivoire.’TheinvestigatingjudgewhoreplacedPatrickRamaëlasjudgeinchargeoftheFrenchinvestigationhasreportedlycompliedwithrequestsforcontinuedlegalactionsmadebytheregisteredcivilparties(theKiefferfamilyandRSF).HereportedlysubmittedlettersrogatorytotheIvorianauthoritiesinNovember2014.Theyhaveyettorespond.FrenchMinisterofJustice,ChristianeTaubireraisedthecaseofGuy-AndréKiefferwithPresidentAlassaneOuttaraduringanofficialvisitinJune2015.On22June2016,itwasreportedthatSimoneGbagbodeniedanyknowledgeofhimbutexpressedadesirefortheinvestigationintohisdisappearancetoprogress,.PENAction:PEN2014WorldCupAction:IvoryCoast[Stoppress:AccordingtoLeMonde,atatrialhearingon20July2016forformerfirstladySimoneGbagbo,whoisfacingtrialforcrimesagainsthumanity,anex-militarychiefclaimedthatKiefferwasexecutedandhisbodyincineratedontheordersoftheformerfirstlady.]

Attacked

*BaudelaireMIEU:Profession:freelancejournalist,correspondentforReportersWithoutBorders(RSF),AmericanBloombergandJeuneAfriqueDateofharassment:22May2016Detailsofattack:Ontheeveningof22May2016,unknownassailantsreportedlybrokeintothehomeofBaudelaireMieuatgunpointandforciblytookhislaptopwhilstleavingothervaluablesinthehouseuntouched.BoththeMediaFoundationforWestAfrica(MFWA)andReportersWithoutBorders(RSF)haveindicatedthattheybelievetherobberywasinconnectiontohiswork.

Threatened

*FofanaBabaIDRISS(alsoknownasFBI):Profession:journalistandblogger,deputygeneraltreasurerofthenationalassociationofbloggersofCoted’Ivoire(UNBCI)Dateofthreats:fromMarch2016Detailsofthreats:IthasbeenreportedthatFofanaBabaIdrissbeganreceivingdeaththreatsviatextmessage,phonecallsandcommentsonhisblogbeginninginMarch2016.Duringthenightof20-21April2016,hishousewasbrokenintoandamessagetellinghimthathewas‘luckytobeout’wasleftforhim.Inanothermessage,anunknownpersonsaidthattheyhadtravelledfromLiberiaandwerecurrentlyinthesametownashisparents,althoughhewastheirtarget.Othermessagesreportedlysuggestedthatifhedidnotpayattention,hewould‘createtroubleforhimself’.Background:Idrissisknowntowritearticles

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criticalofsocialandpoliticalissuesinIvoryCoast,andhaswrittenaboutbothcyber-crimeinthecountryandaboutpresidentialgovernance.

KENYA

InOctober2015,theKenyanparliamentapprovedapresslawthatoutlawsanypublicationofwordsdeemed‘defamatorytoparliament’,andprovidesforfinesofupto500,000shillings(4,850dollars/4,245euros)oratwo-yearjailterm.ThelawstillhastobeapprovedbyboththeSenateandthePresidentbeforeenteringintouse.

Killed:motiveunknown

JohnKITUYI:Profession:founderofTheMirrornewspaperDateofdeath:30April2015Detailsofdeath:Kituyi,aged63,wasreportedlyattackedbyunknownassailantswhobeathimwithbluntobjectsafterinterceptinghimonhisreturnhomeinEldoret.Heisreportedtohavediedofhisinjuriesinhospitalsomehourslater.Hisassailantsreportedlytookhismobiletelephonebutnothiswallet.Accordingtonewsreports,hehadreceiveddeaththreatsconnectedtohisarticlespublishedinTheMirrorinthemonthspriortohismurder.OneofhislateststoriesdescribedhowauthoritieshadinterferedwithwitnessesduetotestifyatDeputyPresidentWilliamRuto’strialbeforetheInternationalCriminalCourtinconnectionwithpost-electionviolencein2007.On22July22,2015,asoldierwaschargedwithrobbingandkillingKituyitogetherwithotherthreepersonschargedinabsentia.ThesoldierandhisaccomplicesreportedlyusedametalbartorobKituyiofhismobilephone,identificationcard,acoatandbankcardsandlefthimfordead.Thesuspect,whohadbeenfoundinpossessionofKituyi’sphone,wasgrantedbailandcourthearingswerescheduledfor6Augustand10September2015.Atthehearingon10September,bloodtestresultswerenotavailableandthetrialwasrescheduledto14January2016.On5May2016itwasreportedthatthecasewasstillongoing,withonlyonearrest.Background:PriortofoundingTheMirrorin1995,KituyihadservedascorrespondentforTheStandard.HisarticlesfocusedprimarilyonregionalpoliticsinWesternKenya,buthealsocoverednationalissues.

Reportedmissing

DicksonBOGONKOBOSIRE:Profession:editoroftheJackalNewsblogDateofdisappearance:18September2013Detailsofdisappearance:Accordingtoa15October2013reportbyReportersWithoutBorders,Bogonko’sfamilyhadnotheardfromhimsince18September2013whilehismobilephonehadremainedonvoicemail.Thepolicewerereportedlyinvestigatinghisdisappearance.TherewasspeculationthatBogonkohadgoneintohidingafterthewebsiterevealedthenameofanInternationalCriminalCourtwitness,buthisfamilyhavereportedlyruledthisout.BogonkoreportedlywentmissingtwodaysbeforethestartoftheterroristattackontheWestgateshoppingCentreinthecapitalNairobi,whereheisbased.InDecember2015,hisparentsgaveaninterviewinwhichtheysaidtheyremainedbaffledbyhisdisappearance.Background:BogonkoworkedforAgenceFrance-PressebeforelaunchingJackalNews,awebsitewhichcoversaspectrumofstoriesfromcorruptiontogossipandscandals.Thecontentofthebloghasreportedlyledtoconfrontationandthreatsbythesubjectsofcriticalarticles.BogonkoreportedlyhadtofleeNairobiandgointohidingonseveraloccasionspreviously.Thewebsitewashackedandshutdowntwicebeforehisdisappearance.

Ontrial

KurgatMARINDANY:

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Profession:reporterforTheStarnewspaperDateofarrest:16April2015Dateofrelease:Releasedonbailon16April2015Detailsofarrest:MarindanywasreportedlychargedwithcriminallibelinApril2015afterhepublishedanarticlewherehementionedthatacountycommissioner‘criedfor20minutes’infrontofalargecrowd,whenagovernorcalledhima‘landgrabber’.Detailsoftrial:Marindanywasreportedlyreleasedon30,000shillings’bail(Approx.US$284).Marindanydeniesthecharges.Thecasewasexpectedtobeheardon18June2015.Marindanyissaidtobepetitioningtheconstitutionalityofsections194and195ofthepenalcode,underwhichheisbeingprosecutedandisseekingahalttothecriminaltrialagainsthimpendingthedeterminationofhisapplication.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016,althoughitappearsthatthecaseisstillongoingandthatMarindanyisstillwritingarticles.

JudicialHarassment 

*Antony Njoroge MBURU(alsoknownas Mburu Waime) Profession: blogger Dateofharassment: 8January2016Detailsofharassment:AntonyNjorogeMburu wasarrestedandchargedfor‘publishingfalseinformation’afterpublishingaFacebookpostabouttheimportationof‘substandardeggs’byalocalgovernor. Hewasreportedly withthreecountsof‘harmfulpublication’,contrarytosection 66(1)oftheKenyanPenalcode.Hewasreportedlyduetolackofevidence,localmediareported that hewasheldforthreedayswithoutcharge.

Harassed 

*RobertALAI: Profession: blogger Detailsofharassment: RobertAlaiisawell-knownbloggerwhohasreportedlybeenarrestedseveraltimesoverthepastfewyears.1)Alaiwasreportedlychargedon5January2016foratweethepostedon18November2015.Heisallegedtohavequestionedtheuniversitycredentialsoftheheadoftheanti-corruptionagencyandhewasreleasedonacashbailofsh30,000(about$296),pendingthehearingofthecaseon16March2016. Hewasreportedly arrestedonachargeof‘improperuseoflicensedtelecommunicationequipment’, undersection29 oftheKenyanInformationandCommunicationAct. HewasacquittedofthechargesinJune2016.ThechallengewasbasedonadecisionbytheHighCourtinApril2016thatSection29oftheKenyaInformationandCommunicationActof2009wasunconstitutional.

*DenisGALAVA:Profession: senior editorof TheNation  Dateofharassment: 20January2016Detailsofharassment: On2January2016DenisGalavawroteaneditorialthatwascriticaloftheKenyanpresidentintheSaturdayNationnewspaper.Hewassuspendedafewdaysafterthepublication,pendinganinvestigationintowhatthenewspaperallegedwasabreachofprocedure.Hewasfiredonthe 20January2016.

*GodfreyMWAMPEMBWA (alsoknownas Gado):Profession: cartoonist Dateofbirth: 6August1969Dateofharassment: 5February2016Detailsofharassment: Godfrey Mwampembwa wasreportedlyconvincedtotakeasabbaticalin2015afterhepublishedacartoonaboutformerTanzanianPresident Kikwete.Onhisreturn,onthe5February2016,hereceivedaletterfromhisemployerstatingthattheywouldnotberenewinghiscontractwhenhissabbaticalfinished,withnoexplanationgiven,accordingtonewsreports.Itwasreportedthattheeditor-in-chiefofhispaper,theDailyNation,deniedthathissackinghadanythingtodowithpoliticalpressure. Background:MwampembwaisthemostsyndicatedpoliticalcartoonistinEastandCentralAfrica,andhasworkedforKenya’sDailyNationsince1992.Hisdrawingshavetouchedonpoliticallysensitiveissues,includinga2009cartoonthatmockedPresidentKenyatta

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(financeministeratthetime)fora$100millionaccountingerror.Kenyattatriedtosuehimoverthiscartoon.Gado’sdismissalfollowedthedismissalofeditorDenis Galava notlongafterhewroteaneditorialcriticalofthePresidentofKenyaintheSaturdayNationnewspaper(seeHarrassmentabove);theSaturdayNationisownedbythesamecompanyas Mwampembwa’s DailyNation,leadingtoseriousconcernsaboutthefreedomofthepressinKenya. Awards: InMay2016, Gado wasawardedtheInternationalEditorialCartoons prizeinSwitzerland,alongsideMalaysiancartoonist Zunar. ItwasawardedbytheCartoonistsforPeaceSwissFoundationandtheCityofGeneva.PENAction:statement18March2016statement

*DavidODONGO: Profession: journalistforNairobianweeklynewspaper Dateofarrest: 15April2016 Detailsofarrest: David Odongo wasinitiallysummonedto Embakasi policestationinNairobiforquestioningontheeveningof15April,butnotlongafterhisarrivalhewasarrestedandheldovernight,accordingtoreports.Inatelevisedstatementmadeshortlyafterhisreleaseon16April,Odongostatedthatpolicehadgivenhimvariousdifferentreasonsforhisarrest;hewasaskedbyoneofficeraboutastoryhehadwrittenaboutadisputebetweenalocalbusinessmanandafamilymember,whilstanotherpolicemantoldhimthathewasarrestedfor‘misusingatelecommunicationsgadget’,achargewhichisoftenlevelledatjournalistsandbloggersinKenya. Duringhisinterrogation,Odongo was reportedly askedquestionssuchashowheandhisnewspaperpickedstories,andwheretheygottheirinformationfrom.  Dateofrelease: 16April2016Detailsofrelease: Odongo wasreleasedat10amthefollowingday,followinganoutcryonsocialmediaoverhisarrest. Background: KenyaUnionofJournalistsEric Oduor stated that‘powerfulindividuals’wereusingthepolicetoharassreporterswhopublishedstoriestheydidnotlike.He suggested that incasessuchasthispoliceshould‘invokeDefamationActandSection34oftheConstitutionthatstipulate[s]legalprocessforanyaggrievedpersonsinregardtojournalists’worktoseekredress’,asheclaimedthatsendingjournaliststojailnotonlycontravenessection24butalso‘introducescriminallibel’. 

*Odhiambo OTIENO (Brian): Profession: Journalist, KenyaNewsAgency,blogger Dateofarrest: 12January2016 Detailsofarrest: Odhiambo Otieno wasarrestedanddetainedforseveralhoursovera Facebook posthemadecriticisingacandidateforgovernment, mediareportssuggest. Itwasreported that Otieno wasarrestedandchargedwith‘Misuseofacommunicationgadget’ undersection29(4)ofthetelecommunicationact1998. Accordingtolocalmedia,hewasarrestedattheKenyaNewsAgency;hewastoldthatthecandidateforgovernorwishedtospeaktohim,andwasthentakentothecentralpolicestation,wherehewashelduntil9pmthatnight. 

*PatrickSAFARI: Profession: bloggerDateofharassment: 21January2016 Detailsofharassment: PatrickSafari,morepopularlyknownunderhisTwitterhandle,@moderncorps,wasarrested,questionedandheldovernightovercommentshemaderegardinganAl-Shabbab attackonaKenyanDefenceForcepostinSomalia, accordingtoreports.Hereportedlyspentthenightinjailbeinginterrogatedbeforebeingreleasedthefollowingday,althoughpoliceretainedhisthreephonesandhislaptop. 

Threatened 

*Augustina ARMSTRONG-OGBONNA (f): Profession: Freelancejournalist Dateofthreat:8February2016Detailsofthreat: Armstrong-Ogbonna wasinvestigatingreportsthatanenergycompanywasworkingwithoutgovernmentapprovalandwithoutanenvironmentalimpactreportwhenshewasthreatenedbytheheadofthecompany.Thebusinessmanreportedlywarnedhernottopublishthestoryorshewouldbeput‘in

33

thefiringline’.Itwasalsoreportedthathethreatenedtovisitheroffice.Thebusinessmandeniesalltheallegations.Otherdetails: Armstrong-Ogbonna wontheUnitedNationsFoundationPrizeforhumanitariancoveragein2015.

MAURITANIA

Imprisoned:maincase

MohamedCheikhouldMOHAMED:Profession:bloggerDateofarrest:2January2014Sentence:DeathsentenceReasonforarrest:MohamedwasreportedlyarrestedinNouadhiboushortlyafterhepostedanarticlecriticisingtheinequalityofMauritania’scastesystem,referencingtheteachingsoftheProphetMohammedonAqlamenewswebsiteon2January2014.Thearticlewastakendownafewminutesafterposting.Detailsoftrial:On24December2014,acourtinNouadhiboureportedlyimposedadeathsentenceuponMohamedafterconvictinghimofapostasy.Incourt,MohamedsaidhehadnotintendedtoinsulttheProphetMuhammadandrepented.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ),afatwawasissuedtokillMohamedandnationwidedemonstrationsledhisfamilytodenouncehimandhislawyertodrophiscase.Mohamed’slawyersappealedagainstthesentenceon26December2014.HeisreportedlyeligibletobepardonedbytheSupremeCourtifhisrepentanceisverified,accordingtoarticle306oftheMauritanianpenalcode.Itwasreportedthaton21April2016theNouadhibouappealscourtupheldthedeathsentenceagainsthim.HiscasewasreferredtotheSupremeCourt,whichhasthepowertorepealthesentence.HehasapologisedandsaidthathenevermeanttoinsulttheProphetinhiswriting.Conditionsindetention:NewsreportsindicatethatMohamedmayhavebeensubjectedtotortureorotherill-treatmentandisheldinsolitaryconfinement.[Stoppress:HiscasewasexpectedtobereviewedattheSupremeCourton15November]

BriefDetention*JednaOuldDEIDA,Profession:editorofmauriweb.infowebsite*BabarcarBayeNDIAYE,Profession:webmasterofcridem.orgwebsiteDetailsoftrial:BothDeidaandNdiayewerearrestedonthe7April2016afteranaccusationofdefamationwasfiledbythesonofthePresidentofMauritaniaafterreportsallegedthathefiredashotatashepherd;thetwomenwerebothreleasedonbailthenextday.Theprosecutorallegedthatthetwomenwerecaught‘intheprocessofcommittingacrime’,displayed‘intenttocauseprejudice’and‘actedwithpremeditation’,whichareallcrimesundertheMauritanianpenalcode.However,healsocitedMauritania’spresslaw,whichstipulatesthatjournalistsmayonlybefined.Bothmenreportedlyfacedbetweensixmonthsandfiveyearsincourt.Attheirtrialon15April2016,theprosecutionwithdrewthecharges.

MOZAMBIQUE

Killed:motiveunknown

PauloMACHAVAProfession:publisherofthenewswebsiteDiariodeNoticiasDateofdeath:28August2015Detailsofkilling:MachavawasshotwhilehewasjogginginMaputo.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,aninvestigationbytheMozambicanpolicehasbeenlaunched.Themotiveofthekillingremainsunknown.On22June2016,itwasreportedthattheinvestigationintohismurderwasstillatthe

34

preliminaryinvestigationstage.Otherinformation:Machava´swaswidelyknownforhisdenunciationagainstcrime.HehadpreviouslyworkedinRadioMoçambiqueandhadbeeneditor-in-chiefofweeklynewspaperSavanawhichisknownforbeingcriticalofthegovernment.Savanapublishedanimportantreportaboutacorruptionscandalinstate-ownedBancoComercialdeMoçambique,accordingtoreports.HehadalsobeencampaigningforeconomistNunoCastel-Branco(seeCaselistentrybelow)andjournalistsFernandoVelosoandFernandoMbanzewhowerefacingnationalsecurityanddefamationcharges.ThekillingofMachavatookplacethreedaysbeforetheirtrial.

OnTrial

CarlosNunoCASTEL-BRANCO,Profession:EconomistandsocialmediauserFernandoMBANZE,Profession:editorofthedailyindependentnewspaperMediaFaxDetailsoftrial:Castel-BrancoandMbanzewerechargedwithcrimesagainstthesecurityofthestateinrelationtoaFacebookpostfromNovember2013onpoorgovernanceinMozambique.Castel-BrancowasaccusedofdefamingtheformerHeadofStateofMozambiqueandsummonedtotheprosecutor’sofficeinMaybeforebeingchargedon11June2015underArticle22oftheStateSecurityLaw(Law19/91)inrelationtotheFacebookpost.Inthepost,anopenlettertothen-PresidentArmandoGuebuzaentitled‘OnlyinMozambique’,hestronglycriticisesthewayinwhichGuebuzawasgoverningMozambique,accusinghimofwantingtomakeitafasciststate.TheFacebookpostwasreportedlywidelyre-publishedandcirculatedonsocialmedia.Mbanze,whoreportedlypublishedCastel-Branco’spostasanopenletterinMediaFax,ischargedwithabusingfreedomofthepressunderArticle42ofthePressLaw(Law18/91)inconjunctionwiththeStateSecurityLaw.Anotherman,FernandoVeloso,wasalsochargedwithreprintingtheletterbutwasnotbroughttotrialashewasoutofthecountry.Thetrialbeganon31August2015.Castel-BrancoandMbanzewereacquittedon16September2015.On16October2015,AmnestyInternationalstatedthattheGeneralProsecutorappealedagainstthe16September2015courtdecisiontoacquitCastel-BrancoandMbanze.AccordingtoAmnestyInternationalon18February2016,adatefortheappealhearinghadyettobedecided.Background:Bornin1960,Castel-Brancospecialisesinpoliticaleconomyofeconomicgrowth,industrializationandpublicpolicy.Heisaprolificauthorwithastringofpublicationstohisname,havingeditedandco-editedadozenbooks,contributedchapterstoadozenothers,andpublishednumerousarticlesandpapers.HeholdsaDoctorateinEconomicsfromSOASandaMaster’sdegreeinEconomicDevelopmentfromtheUniversityofOxford,UK.

CaseClosed

BartholomaeusGRILL:(Germannational)Profession:correspondentfortheGermanweeklyDerSpiegelDateofarrest:16February2015Dateofrelease:16February2015Detailsofarrest:GrillandSwedishfreelancephotographer,TorbjoernSelander,werereportedlyapprehendedbyresidentsastheywerereportinginthevillageofMavodzeinsouthernMozambique.Thevillagersaccusedthejournalistsofbeingspiesandtookthemtothepolicestation,wheretheywereheldforseveralhours.TheywerereportedlyreleasedaftertheGermanandSwedishembassiesintervenedontheirbehalf.Detailsoftrial:Grillwasreportedlychargedwithtrespassingandinvasionofprivacyinconnectionwiththeirinvestigationofrhinopoaching.Thetrialwasscheduledtotakeplaceinthesamecommunitywheretheywerefirstapprehended.Thecaseagainstthemisthoughttohavebeenbroughtbythe‘kingpin’intheillegalwildlifetradewhowasveryinfluentialinthevillage.ItappearsthatGrilliswritingagainandisnotinMozambique.Background:Thejournalistswerereportedlylookingforanindividualwhoisknownasthekingpinofrhinopoachingandisconsidereda‘godfather’inthevillage.ThevillagebordersSouthAfrica'sKrugerNationalParkandformspartofavasttrans-frontierconservationarea.

35

NIGER

BriefDetention

*AliSOUMANA,Profession:ownerofLeCourrier*MoussaDODO,Profession:editorofLeCourrier*SoumanaIdrissaMAIGA,Profession:owner of the company which prints LeCourrier(also seebelowunderHarassed)Dateofarrest:4June2016Dateofrelease:i)Maigaon8Juneii)SoumanaandDodoon16JuneDetailsofarrest:SoumanaandDodowereheldarrestedon4June2016,andMaigawasarrestedoneveningof7June2016.Theirhouseswerealsosearched.Theprosecutorquestionedthemwhiletheyweredetained,andorderedSoumanaandDodotobedetaineduntiltrial,whilstMaigawasreleasedon8Junebutchargedwithcomplicity.ReportersWithoutBordersreportedthatSoumanaandDodowerechargedwith‘divulgingdocumentsseizedduringasearchandbringingdiscreditonajudicialdecision’,whileMaigawaschargedwith‘complicity’.SoumanaandDodowerereleasedon16June2016afterbeinggrantedthreemonthprovisionalsentences.Background:LeCourrierpublishedtwoarticlesinMay2016withdocumentsdetailingrequestsbyleadingmembersofNigersocietytotheHiringDirectoratthepublichealthministry,askinghimtoensurethattheirrelativesorprotégésweresuccessfulinthecompetitiveentryexam.Thisinformationwaspubliclyavailableasevidenceinafraudprosecutiontrialbroughtagainstthecivilservantsinvolved.PresslawinNigerstatesthataprintercanonlyhavechargesbroughtagainstthemiftheowneroreditorisunavailable,butboththeownerandtheeditorwereheld.Thesamelawalsoprohibitsdetainingjournalistsforpressoffences.

*AbdoulMoumouneOUSMANE:Profession:socialmediauser,presidentoftheorganisationCadred’actionpourladémocratieetlesdroitshumainsauNiger(FrameworkforactionfordemocracyandhumanrightsinNiger)Sentence:six-monthsuspendedprisonsentenceand50,000WestAfricanCFAFrancfine(about$100)Dateofarrest:14June2016Dateofrelease:23June2016Detailsofarrest:AbdoulMoumouneOusmanereportedlywroteonhisFacebookpagethatthecurrentpresidenthadbeenineffectiveinregardtomanagementofthewaronterrorandBokoHaramattacks.Hewasarrestedon14June2016andwasheldinNiamey’sremandprison.Dateoftrial:19June2016Detailsoftrial:Ousmaneappearedincourton19June2016,reportedlychargedwith‘organisingaconspiracytooverthrowtheconstitutionalorder’,withprosecutorsaskingforasix-monthjailterm.On23June2016thecourtdecidedonasix-monthsuspendedsentenceanda50,000francfine.Hislawyerreportedlyannouncedthattheywillappealthedecision.

NIGERIA

Killed:impunity

IkechukwuUDENDU:Profession:editorofAnambraNews,amonthlynewspaperinAnambrastateDateofdeath:12January2013Detailsofdeath:hewasshotdeadbyunknownassailantsontheeveningof12January2013.Udendu’sbrother,publisherofthepaper,reportedlyreceivedananonymoustelephonecallinwhichhewastoldtoretrievethejournalist’sbodyfrominfrontofalocalrestaurant.LocaljournalistsreportedlysuspectthatUdenduwaskilledinconnectionwithhisreporting.DetailsofInvestigation:Accordingtoreports,thestate’spolicecommissionerpromisedtoinvestigatethemurderpersonally.Accordingtoa10February2013report,Udendu’sfamilysuspectthatthegunmenwerehiredassassins.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekinganupdate.

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Abducted

*AdoHALLIRU(alsoknownasAdoDAUKAKA):Profession:singer,musicianDateofabduction:24June2016Dateofrelease:29June2016Detailsofabduction:AdoHalliruwascontactedbyunknownmenwhoconvincedhimtheywantedto‘strikeadeal’withthemusicianoveranalbumhehadpreviouslyreleasedforastategovernor.Hewasaccostedaftermorningprayerandenteredthemen’scarafterbeingtoldtheywantedhimtorecordasongforthem.Agunwaspointedathimandhewas‘blinded’,accordingtoreports.Insidethecartheyplayedhisnewrelease,asongcriticalofsomeelectedpoliticians,andaskedhimwhyhehadrecordedthetrack.Hallirustatedhewasthreatenedbythemen,whosaidhewouldbekilledifhedidnotstopcriticisingpoliticians.Oneofhiswivessaidunknownmenhadvisitedhishouseonthedayhewaskidnapped.Hisfamilystatedhewasapoliticaltarget,abductedasawarningtoothercritics.Hewaskeptwithoutfoodfortwodaysbeforebeingreleased.Hewasfoundunconsciousatthesideofaroadaround80kmfromthestatecapital.Background:Halliruisknownforhispraisesongsforlocalpoliticians,buthadrecentlyreleasedanewsongallegingthatsomeelectedpoliticiansaredeceivingthepublic.

Ontrial

TukurMAMU:Profession:publisheroftheDesertHeraldnewspaperandauthorofFCTAdministration:TheRotWithinDateofarrest:4September2013Dateofrelease:19September2013Detailsofarrest:MamuwasarrestedbyplainclothespoliceandwastakentoKaduna’sCriminalInvestigationDepartment(CID),beforebeingtransferredtoAbujawherehewasheldattheCIDinGarki.Hewasreportedlyheldinthesamecellashardenedcriminalsandsuspectedterrorists.Detailsofrelease:On19September2013,theWuseMagistrates’CourtgrantedMamubailinthesumofN1million(approx.US$6,000)withonesurety.Detailsoftrial:HeisbeingsuedforcriminaldefamationandattemptedbriberyinacasebroughtbytheministeroftheFederalCapitalTerritory(FCT),thesubjectofMamu’sbook,aswellastheFCT’sDirectorofTreasury.TheplaintiffsarereportedtobeseekinguptoN7billion(approx.US$30.7million)indamagesandapermanentinjunctionpreventingMamufromreleasinghisbook,FCTAdministration:TheRotWithin.ApreliminaryhearingwasheldatanAbujacourton5September2013.Subsequenthearingsin2013werepostponed.Accordingtonewsreports,Mamu’slawyerssoughttoestablishthattheAbujaHighCourtdidnothavejurisdictioninthecaseowingtothefactthattheownersofDesertHeraldandtheofficesofthepaperareinKaduna.On21January2014,thejudgereportedlyruledagainstthedefence.Thejudgeisalsoreportedtohaveorderedthattheentirecase–includingarguments,presentationofevidenceandcrossexaminationofwitnesses–beheardoverthreedays,between11-13March2014.Mamureportedlyquestionedthejudge’sfast-trackingofthecasegiventhecurrentlongwaitingtimeofwhathejudgedtobemoreimportantcases,includingthoseagainstBokoHaram.AccordingtonewsreportsthetwocasesintheAbujaHighCourtarestillonappeal.Moreover,on25May2015hewasaccusedofviolatingbailconditionsandtherulingwasadjournedto8June2015.Accordingtonewsreports,on24April2015hefledtoDubaiontheadviceoftheSouthAfrica-basedProtectionRightsofJournalistsofAfrica(PRJA).AccordingtoMamu,hehadbeenreceivingdeaththreatsviathetelephone,visitstohisofficeandresidencebyagentsoftheministeroftheFederalCapitalTerritory(FCT).ByJune2015hehadreturnedtoNigeria.InApril2015whilethetwocasesagainstMamuwereongoing,hewasalsoaccusedofforginghisdegreeandmasterdegreecertificates.InNovember2015,MamuwroteanopenlettertotheInspectorGeneralofthePolicetocomplainthathisuniversityrecordshadbeendisappearedalongwiththeallegationofforgery.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:MamuwashospitalisedfollowinghiscollapseduringthehearinginSeptember2013.Heisbelievedtosufferfromahealthconditionforwhichheisrequiredtotakeprescribedmedicationdailybutwasreportedlydeprivedofthismedicationwhiledetained.Background:Accordingtoreports,unknownmenbrokeintotheDesert

37

Heraldofficesonthenightof4September2013,followingMamu’sarrest,stealingthreelaptops,oneexternalharddrive,someCDsandofficialfiles.Mamuwasreportedlyarrestedundersimilarcircumstancesin2009forwritingarticlesdeemedto‘harmthegovernment’sinterests’.

Briefdetention

*JacobOnjewuDICKSON:Profession:journalistforthenewswebsiteAuthenticNewsDailyDateofarrest:29April2016Detailsofarrest:JacobOnjewuDicksonwasreportedlyarrestedon29April,onedayafterbeingsummonedtoKadunaPoliceStationtodiscussanewsreporthewrote,dated27April2016.Thearticleallegedthatyouthshadthrownrocksatthestategovernorafterhetriedtobrokerapeacedealbetweentworivalneighbourhoods.Hewasarrestedafterbeingquestioned.HewastakentoKadunamagistratescourt,chargedwithincitement,andthenreturnedintocustody.Localmediareportedthatasecrettrialwasheldininthejudge’sofficeon29April2016.Dateofrelease:5May2016Detailsofrelease:Afterfivedaysincustody,Dicksonwasreleasedon5May2016.HecommendedtheexecutiveboardoftheNigerianUnionofJournalistsonhisrelease.Background:Dicksonhadallegedlytriedtogetintocontactwiththegovernortoconfirmdetailsofhisstory,butnoneofhiscallswerereturned.

Released

NengiILAGHA:Profession:Poet,journalist,culturalcritic,authorDateofarrest:14December2015Detailsofarrest:NengiIlaghawasservedacourtsummonsandwenttoattendcourton14December2015.Hewasreportedlytoldthatthecourthadissuedawarrantforhisarrestforcontemptofcourt.IthasbeenreportedthathewastakenfromthepolicestationtoYeneguaprison,withoutbeingallowedtospeaktohislawyerorhiswife.Localnewsreportssuggestthathewasdetainedjustbeforecourtswentonholiday.AtahearinginApril2016hewasgrantedbailandisnolongerfacinganycharges.Dateofrelease:Grantedbailon29April2016,Yenegua.Background:Ilaghahadreportedlypreviouslylostalibelcase,inwhichhehadnolegalrepresentation,broughtbytheAmayanabooftheNembeKingdom,KingEdmundDaukoruin2013,forabookhewrotecalledEpistlestoMaduabebe.Itwasreportedthatthelibelcasewasbroughttocourtbecausehisbookwascriticalofthelocalruler.Thecourtordered₦30mdamagesand₦80,000costsagainsttheauthor,alongwithanapologyonthefrontpagesofthreenationaldailynewspapers.Accordingtonewsreports,Ilaghawasunawareoftheproceedings,whichledhimtobeincontemptofcourt.Otherinformation:HewasformerlyeditorofTheTideOnSundayinPortHarcourt.Mantids,hisfirstcollectionofpoems,wontheAssociationofNigerianAuthors,ANA,PoetryPrizein1995.HispoemshaveappearedinmanyNigerianandinternationalnewspapers,journalsandanthologies.PENAction:EmptyChairatPENAfricaNetworkmeetingJohannesburg2016.

CaseClosedEmmanuelFATEMAN:Profession:assistanteditorofNationalWavesmagazineDateofarrest:16December2014Dateofrelease:March2015Detailsofarrest:FatemanwasreportedlyarrestedalongwiththegraphicseditorofNationalWavesJosephJolayemiandheldwithoutchargeformorethantwomonths.Thetwowerereportedlydetainedafterthemagazinepublishedastoryon22September2014,called‘AAOilBossinN650millionScam,’whichallegedfraudulentdealingsinvolvingacontractofaboutUS$3,256,000betweenanoilmagnateandtheBauchiStategovernment.Themagazine’spublisherisreportedtohaveclaimedthatFatemanandJolayemiwerearrestedatthebehestoftheoilmagnate.Accordingtoreports,theoilmagnatehadwrittentothemagazinedemandingevidence

38

regardingtheallegationsmadeinthearticleandexpressingdiscontentthathehadnotbeencontactedforcommentpriortothearticle’spublication.Themagazine’spublisherdeniesthelatterclaim.Detailsoftrial:Accordingtoreports,FatemanandJolayemifacecriminaldefamationchargesinonecourt,whilethemagazineanditspublisherfacesacivillawsuitinadifferentcourt.ProceedingswereexpectedtoresumeinApril2015.AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,FatemannolongerworksforNationalWaves,anditseemslikelythatthecasehasbeendropped.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016,caseclosed.Background:Themagazine’spublisher,JimmyEnyeh,hasreportedlyreceivedharassmentanddeaththreatsagainsthimselfandhisfamilysincethepublicationofthearticle.

RWANDA

Judicialconcern

FrancoisXavierBYUMA:Profession:playwrightandhumanrightsactivistSentence:17yearsinprisonDateofarrest:May2007Detailsofarrest:ByumawasreportedlyarrestedonchargesofbeingpresentatoneofthebarrierserectedtopreventTutsifleeingthe1994genocide,havingafirearm,andparticipatinginweaponstraininginMay2007.HisarrestisbelievedbyFrontlineDefenderstobeinretaliationforhisgroup’sinvestigationintotherapeofayounggirlthatmayhavebeencommittedbythegacacajudgewhoheardByuama’scaseincourt.Detailsoftrial:Byumawasacquittedofthefirsttwocharges,butfoundguiltyofparticipatinginweaponstrainingduringthegenocide.Inaddition,thecourtfoundhimguiltyofseveralcountsnotmentionedwhenthechargeswerefirstread,includingassaultingandabductingawoman.PENInternationalisalsoconcernedthathereceivedanunfairtrial,asthejudgewasnotindependentandtheevidencegivenincourtwasreportedtobelargelycontradictory,andsuchconflictingevidencewasnotreconciledorexplainedbythecourtinitsdecision.Hissentencewasupheldonappealon18August2007.Followingdomesticandinternationalprotests,theNationalServiceofGacacaJurisdictions(SNJG)acceptedhisrequestforarevisionofhiscase;theSNJGreluctantlyagreedtoallowalawyertoassistByumainhisdefence(aslongashedidnotwearhisrobe).Duringthehearing,however,thelawyerprovidedbyAvocatsSansFrontièreswasnotpermittedtositnexttohisclientandwasrepeatedlydeniedtheopportunitytoquestionwitnesses.Thecourtacceptedwhattheyconsiderednewevidencefromaccusingwitnesses,eventhoughsomeofthisinformationwasinconsistentwithearliertestimonygivenattrialandonappeal.Hisconvictionwasupheld,althoughhissentencewasreducedto17yearsinprison.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

BriefDetention

*JohnWilliamNTWALI:Profession: Ownerof Ireme newsportal,investigativejournalist Dateofarrest: 28January2016 Dateofrelease: 9February2016 Detailsofarrest: On28JanuaryJohnWilliams Ntwali wasarrestedallegedlyforrapingaminor. Theprosecutorlaterloweredthechargetoindecentexposurewhendetailsemergedthattheallegedrapevictim,arrestedatthesametimeas Ntwali,was20yearsoldandshowednosignsofviolence.Thechargeofindecentexposurecarriesatwoto fiveyears sentence.Whilehewasdetained,itwasreportedthatthepolicegainedaccesstohissocialmediaprofilesandsentmessagesonthem. Afterbeingheldfor13days, Ntwaliwasprovisionallyreleasedon9February.Itisunclearwhetherheisstillfacinganycharges. Ntwali claimsthatthechargeswerebroughttointimidatehimashewaswasinvestigatingthedeathof awell-knownRwandanfinancierandbusinessman.Background:Ntwali istheownerandeditorofnewsportal Ireme,whichhasoftencriticizedtheRwandangovernment,andhasreportedlybeenblocked

39

inRwandaonseveraloccasions.Mediafreedomisrestricted inRwandaandaccordingtoreports,Ntwaliisoneofthefewinvestigativejournalistsremaininginthecountry.

Harassment 

*IvanMUGISHA:Profession: ReporterforTheEastAfrican Dateofarrest: 3February2016 Dateofrelease:4 February2016 Detailsofarrest:Accordingtomediareports,Ivan Mugisha wasarrestedwhenarmed policestormedtheofficesofTheEastAfricanonasearchwarrant,notpermittinganyonetoleaveorusethetoilet,whilstsearchingthepremisesandconfiscatingthecomputersoftwojournalists. Itwasduringthissearchthat Mugisha wasarrestedwithoutanarrestwarrant,andtakeninforquestioning.Hewasreleasedthenextdaywithoutcharge.HehadrecentlywrittenastoryaboutallegationsoftaxevasionlinkedtoaRwandanstonequarrycompany,andreportshavesuggestedhisarrestwasinrelationtoapoliceinvestigationintoleaksrelatingtothisstory. Background: Accordingtoreports,MugishaisknownforhisreportingonsensitiveissuesrarelycoveredintheRwandanpress.

SENEGAL

Sentenced 

*El Hadji Alioune Badara FALL Profession: Editorofdaily l’Observateur *Alassane HANNE, Profession: reporterat l’Observateur  *Vieux Père NDIAYE, Profession: journalistatthe GrandPlace  Sentence: Suspendedsentencesoftwomonthsinprisonandfinesof10millionCFAfrancs(about$17,600)Dateoftrial:21April2016.Detailsoftrial: AccordingtoReporterswithoutBorders,thethreejournalistswereputontrialforreportingthatasonofamusicianhadbeenchargedwith‘criminalassociation’afterapoliceinvestigationintoforgedbanknotes.Thejudgefoundallthreemenguiltyofdefamation,despitethereportedfactbeingundisputed.Theprosecutorhimselfproducedevidencethatthemusician’ssonwasindeedchargedasreported.Thejudgereportedlydidnotreadouthisfulldecisionincourtandfailedtoprovidetheirlawyerwithacopyofthedecision. 

SIERRALEONE

Ontrial

JonathanLEIGH:Profession:managingeditoroftheoppositiondailynewspaperIndependentObserverDateofarrest:17December2015Dateofrelease:20December2015Detailsofarrest:Hewasreportedlyarrestedon17December2015inthenewspaper’sofficesinFreetownbypoliceofficersoftheCriminalInvestigationsDepartment.Hewasallegedlyinformedthathewasbeingsummonedforclarificationofastory.Hewaslaterarrestedandthreatenedwithacriminalprosecutionagainsthimfor‘publishingfalsenews’duetoafront-pagearticlepublishedon15December2015.Thearticle,‘PanicinKono:3dead’,publishedreportsaboutthepoliticalviolenceinadvanceoflocalelections.Healsoreportedlypublishedinformationinregardstothedifferentpositionofthepoliticalpartiestowardsthisviolence.Detailsofrelease:Hewasreleasedonbailon20December2015.Detailsoftrial:ThepresidentofSierraLeoneAssociationofJournalistsinformedtheCommitteetoProtectJournaliststhatLeighwasduetobeofficiallychargedon21Decemberunderthe1965PublicOrderAct.Underthisact,anyonefoundtohavepublishedfalseinformationcouldfaceaprisonsentenceoftwoyears.Accordingtoreports,histrialwasduetostarton11January2016,althoughnoinformationhascometolight.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Leigh

40

previouslyfacedchargesofseditiouslibelalongsideBaiBaiSESAYeditoroftheIndependentObserverinJanuary2014(see2014caseListfordetails).

SOMALIA

Killed:impunity

AbdullahiAliHUSSEIN:Profession:editornewswebsiteWaagasucubDateofdeath:8September2015Detailsofdeath:AliHusseinwasshotdeathinMogadishu.Itisnotclearifaninvestigationisbeingheld;PENislookingforanupdate.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,AliHusseinhadpreviouslyreceiveddeaththreatsinrelationtothepublicationseveralcriticalreportsonterrorism.Otherinformation:TheUNESCOdirector-generalcondemnedthekilling.

AbdirahmanMohamedALI:Profession:reporterforthesportsnewswebsiteCiyaarahamaanta.Dateofdeath:27September2012Detailsofdeath:HewasfoundmurderednexttoSuqaHolaha,alocallivestockmarket,intheHuriwadistrictofthecapitalMogadishuon27September2012.Accordingtolocaljournalists,unknowngunmenabductedAliontheeveningof26Septemberashewasvisitinghismother’shouse.Aliwasfoundwithhishandstiedbehindhisbackandhisseveredheadonhischest.Themotiveforthekillingwasnotclear;nogroupinitiallyclaimedresponsibility.AccordingtoTheJournalistsMemorial,theIslamistmilitantgroupAl-ShabaabclaimedresponsibilityforAli’smurder,claimingthathedidnotliveinSuqaHolahaandthathehadgonetheretospyonAl-Shabaabmembers.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENiscallingforaninvestigationintothemurder.

WarsameShireAWALE:Profession:poet,playwright,radioactorandsinger-songwriter.Dateofdeath:29October2012Detailsofdeath:shotseveraltimesbyunidentifiedarmedmennearhishomeinthecapitalMogadishuon29October2012.Hewastakentohospitalbutwasdeclareddeadonarrival.AccordingtotheNationalUnionofSomaliJournalists(NUSOJ),hehadrecentlyreceivedthreatsinconnectionwithcommentshehadmadeaboutgunmenwhotargetedcivilians.AtthetimeofhisdeathWarsame,whowasinhis60s,wasworkingatRadioKulmiyewherehisplayswereknownfortheircriticismoftheextremistIslamistgroupAl-Shabaab.AccordingtoNUSOJandothersources,hewasthe18thmediaworkertobekilledinSomaliain2012.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENiscallingforaninvestigationintothemurder.

Detained-investigation

AbdirisakOmarAHMED:Profession:freelancejournalistwhowrotefornewswebsiteXogmaalDateofarrest:17December2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtotheNationalUnionofSomaliJournalists,hewasarrestedbySomalia’sNationalIntelligenceandSecurityAgencyinMogadishuon17December2015whilewalkingtoacoffeeshopwithStarFMjournalistAbdukarMohamedAli.AliwasarrestedwithAhmedbutwasreleasedwithoutchargesthedayafter.AccordingtoCPJ,on6January2016Ahmedwasstillbeingheldincommunicadoandhisfamilyhadnotbeeninformedofhiswhereabouts.ThereasonbehindAhmed’sdetentionareunclear.Hehasreportedlynotbeenbroughttocourtandhehasnotbeeninformedofanychargesagainsthim.Itisunclearwhetherhehasbeenreleased.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Conditionsofdetention:InaninterviewwithUniversalTelevisionon27December,hiswifeexpressedconcernwithregardstoAhmed’sheath,ashehadrecentlysufferedfrommalaria.Hehasreportedlynotbeengrantedaccesstohisfamilyoralawyer.

OnTrial

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*Muuse JAAMBIIR: Profession: formerchairmanof XogOgaal newspaper Detailsoftrial: Jaambiir’strialforpublishingfalsenews,defamingthepresident,andshamingthefirstladywasduetostarton23April2016.Itwaspostponedduetothejudgebeinginmourningandtheprosecutorinillhealth.Itisunclearwhetherornotithasbeenrescheduled.Thechargesreportedly relatetotwoarticlesfromAugust2015whichcriticisedthewaySomaliland’spresidentandhisfamilyhandledtheprivatisationofagovernment-ownedcompany.Otherinformation: TheXogOgaalnewspaperwasorderedtoceasepublishing,buthasappealedthedecisionandcontinuestopublishpendingthehearing,according tointernationalmedia.  

*CabdirashiidNuurWACAYS,profession:chairmanofthenewspaperHusbad*SiciidKhadarCABDILAAHI,profession:editor-in-chiefofnewspaperHusbad

Dateofarrest:30November2015Dateorrelease:3December2015Detailsof arrest: Itwas reported thatbothmenwerearrestedunderchargesoffalsepublicationandrunninganunlicensednewspaperon30November2015.TheywerereleasedonbailfourdayslaterbutHusbadnewspaperwassuspended. Wacays and Cabdilaahiwereduetostandtrialin23April2016,butthetrialwaspostponedduetothejudgebeinginmourningandtheprosecutorinillhealth.Itisunclearwhetherornotithasbeenrescheduled.AccordingtoHumanRights Center Somalia(HRCS),thenewspaperisreportedlyregistered,whichownershipandleadershiptransferredfromoldtonewleadership. Guleid AhmedJama,thechairpersonofHRCS, stated thatthenewspaperwasregisteredasrequiredin2010undertheSomalilandPressLaws,andthatachangeinmanagementdoesnotrequirereregistration.Thetwomenare reportedly currentlyfreependingtheoutcomeoftheir trial,although Husbad hasnotrecommencedpublishing.  

SOUTHSUDAN

Killed:impunity

PeterMOIJULIUS:Profession:journalistforbusinessweeklyTheCorporateandthebimonthlyNewNationDateofkilling:19August2015Detailsofdeath:MoiwasshottwiceinhisbackinJubaat8pmwhilegoinghome.Thepoliceisreportedlyinvestigatingthekilling.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:TherewereconcernswithregardstoarecentarticlepublishedbyMoiwherehementionedthatabout60%ofthegovernment’sbudgetwasspentonsecurity.However,accordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,thechiefexecutiveofTheCorporatecouldnotfindaspecificarticlethatcouldhaveledtothekilling.ThereareimportantconcernswithregardstothesituationofjournalistsinSouthSudanasMoiwastheseventhjournalisttobekilledin2015;mostoftheotherjournalistsworkedforbroadcastmedia.

IsaiahDiingAbrahamChanAWUOL:Profession:contributortonewswebsitesincludingSudanTribune,GurtongandSudaneseOnlineDetailsofdeath:wasshotdeadbyunidentifiedmenathishomeinthecapitalJubaon5December2012.ThegunmenarrivedatAwuol’shouse,askedhimtostepoutside,thenshothimdeadandtookhismobiletelephone.Awuolhadreportedlybeenthreatenedseveraltimesinthepastandbeenwarnedtostopwriting.Localjournalistsbelievethathecouldhavebeentargetedinconnectionwithhisonlinecolumns.AwuolwasknownforhisopinionarticlescriticaloftheSouthSudaneseleadershipandtheirrelationshipwiththeSudaneseauthorities.Inhismostrecentarticle,publishedon27November2012intheSudanTribune,AwuolhadurgedtheauthoritiestofosterabetterrelationshipwithSudanandrefrainfromsupportingSudaneserebelgroups.Detailsofinvestigation:Thepolicesaidthattheywouldinvestigatethemurder.RelativesandcolleaguesofAwuolreportedlylinkedhisdeathtoanarticlepublishedafewweeksbeforehisdeathinwhichhecalledforPresident

42

SalvaKiir’sresignation.Twosuspectswerereportedlyarrestedinlate2012butasof30June2016,nooneisknowntohavebeenbroughttotrial,accordingtoPEN’sinformation.

Abducted 

*JosephAFANDI:Profession: ReporterforAl-Tabeer newspaper Dateofattack: 4March2016Detailsofattack: Joseph Afandi wasreportedlyabductedandtorturedon4March2016,twoweeksafterhehadbeenreleasedfromatwo-monthdetentionbysecurityservices(seebelow). Afandi wasabductedbyanunknowngroupofmeninawhitecarwithout numberplates,beforebeingtorturedanddumpednearagraveyardinthecapital,Juba,itwasreported. Afandi wasfoundbeatenandsufferingfrom burnsonhislegsandabrokenarm. Background: Afandi hadbeenreleasedtwoweekspreviouslyafterbeingheldindetentionfortwomonthsbysecurityservices(seebelow),whowerereportedlyunhappywithanarticlehewrotecriticisingthegovernment'sroleandactionsinthecivilwar.ReportersWithoutBorders reportsthat localobservershavenotedanincreaseinattacksonjournalists. InAugust2015,PresidentSalvaKiirthreatenedinastatementtokillreportersworking‘againstthecountry.’

*JosephChanAWER:Profession: JournalistforAl-Maugif Dateofabduction: 4March2016Detailsofabduction: Accordingtoreport,Awer waskidnappedbymaskedmenontheeveningof4March2016.Hesaidhiskidnappertorturedhimbymeltingplasticonthislegs.Dateofrelease:8March2016.Detailsofrelease:HewasfoundinaHaiRock City’scemetery.Hewasreportedlytakentomedicalexaminationfollowingthediscoveryofburnmarkonhislegs.Otherinformation: Ithasbeenreportedthat Awer had previously receiveddeaththreatinArabicviaemail,tellinghimtostopwritingifhe‘appreciat[ed]hislifeinthisworld’. Awer hadwrittenopinionpiecescriticisingboththegovernmentandthearmedforces,and hadpreviouslyworkedforAl-Rainewspaper.

Released

*JosephAFANDI: Profession: ReporterforAl-Tabeer newspaper Dateofarrest: 29December2015 Dateofrelease: 19February2016 Detailsofarrest: Joseph Afandi wasreportedlyarrestedon29December2015afterthepublicationofan editorial heauthoredcriticisingthegovernment’sactionsoverthepasttwoyearsofcivilwar,accordingtoAmnestyInternational.Accordingtonewsreports, Afandi wasnot allowed tocontacteitherhisfamilyorhislawyer,norwashemadeawareofwhatchargeshewasbeingheldunderwhenhewasbeingheld. Duringhisarrestthepaperwasreportedlyverballyinstructedtoceaseprinting,andhasnotbeenpublishedsince. Detailsofrelease: Afandi wasreleasedwithoutchargeon19February2016, accordingtolocalmedia. Background: Al-Tabeer newspaperbeganpublicationinNovember2015.Itseditorpreviouslyworked forAl-Rainewspaperwhichwascloseddown inAugust,reportedlyafter authoritiesclaimedthataboardmemberhadjoinedrebelforcesinNairobi.Theeditor haspreviouslybeendetainedinAugust2015andOctober2015, andhasclaimedtohavepreviouslybeenharassed,includinghavinghispassportconfiscatedin2014.Otherinformation: AmnestyInternationalandReporterWithoutBordershad calledfor Afandi tobereleased,statingthathisarrestmayhave beeninconnectiontotheeditorialhepennedcriticisingtheSPLMforfailingtoprotectthelivesofitscitizensduringtheCivilWar.

SUDAN

Detained:Investigation

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*Ahmed Zuheir DAOUD:Profession: intern andreporter atAl-Midan Dateofarrest: 13April2016 Detailsofarrest: Ahmed Zuheir Daoud wasarrestedashewascoveringstudentprotestsatKhartoumuniversityforAl-Midan newspaper,despitecarryingapresscard. Daoud hadjustgraduatedfromKhartoumuniversityandwasworkingasaninternforthenewspaper.Daoud isstillbeingheldbySudaneseauthoritiesasof30June2016.Hisfamilyhasbeenallowedtoseehim,andheisreportedlyingoodspirits.Themajorityofthestudentsarrestedduringtheprotestshavealreadybeenreleased.Background: TheprotestsatKhartoumuniversitybeganafterplansannouncedbytheMinistryofTourismtoconvertsomeoftheuniversitybuildingsintotouristattractions,althoughgovernmentofficialsdeniedthattheuniversitywouldbemoved.Scoresofstudentshavebeenarrested,andtherehavebeenclashesbetweenstudentsandgovernmentforces.Therehasalsobeenincreasingstaterepressionagainstmainstreammedia,especiallyAl-Midan.Theformereditor-in-chiefofAl-Midan, Madiha Abdella(seebelow-Ontrial),isreportedlycurrentlyfacingchargesincludingcriminalconspiracy,underminingtheconstitutionalsystem,encouragingviolentorcriminalopposition,publishingfalsenewsanddefamingthegovernment.PrintrunsofAl-Midan haverepeatedlybeenconfiscatedbythegovernment.Journalistsandnewspapers inSudan regularlyhavetocontendwithguidelinesonwhatcanbereportedon,setbytheSudaneseSecurityServices(NISS).  

*Ibrahim Bagal SIRAJ: Profession: journalist Dateofarrest: 11April2016 Detailsofarrest: Siraj wasreportedlyarrestedon10April2016,sixdaysafterbeingreleasedfromapreviousperiodofdetention.Hislawyers saidtheyweresurprisedthat Siraj wasrearrested,astheywerewaitingforthefinaldecisionoftheNorthDarfurprosecutorsoffice,eithertodropthecaseortorefertoacourtforadjudication.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekinganupdate.Currentplaceofdetention: Shalaprison,El-FasherHealthconcerns: Sirajsuffersfromdiabetesandduringhisfirstperiodofdetention,on25February2016,hewastransferredfromprisontohospitalinEl-Fasher followingeitheradiabeticattackoraheavysugarimbalance.Background: Siraj waspreviouslydetainedinKhartoumon9February2016,allegedlyonchargesof‘informationcrimes’,butwasnotformallychargedorputontrial,accordingtoreports.HewastransferredfromdetentioninKhartoumtoprisoninEl-Fasher,butthechargesagainsthimwerenotofficiallymadeclear.Siraj wasreleasedon4April,following55daysindetention.SpeakingtoRadio Dabanga, Siraj said thathehadrecentlywrittenseveralarticlesaboutthe Governor ofNorthDarfur, criticising hispolitical, organisational andadministrativeperformance,andclaimedthatthesearticleswerethereasonforhisdetention.Healsosaidthatallthechargesagainsthimwererelatedto‘committingcrimesagainstthestate,opposingthestate,andincitingtribalsedition’,andthathisreleasewasbasedonalackofevidenceagainsthim.

Ontrial

MadeehaABDELLA(f):Profession:editor-in-chiefoftheSudanCommunistPartynewspaperAl-MidanDateofrelease:Releasedonbailon14January2015Detailsoftrial:1)On13January2015,AbdellawasreportedlychargedwithcrimesagainstthestatebytheNationalIntelligenceandSecurityServices(NISS).Ifconvicted,shecouldfacethedeathpenalty.Abdellaappearedincourton21January2015onfourchargesofconspiracy,underminingconstitutionalorder,urgingtheoppositiontouseviolenceandforceagainstthegovernment,andpublishingfalseinformation(underarticles21,50,60and66ofthecriminalcoderespectively).Thenexthearingwasexpectedtobeheldon16February2015.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,thechargesagainstherappeartohavebeenpromptedbyaninterviewwithoneofthemilitarycommandersoftheSudanPeople’sLiberationMovement-North(SPLM-N),aseparatistmovementbasedinNorthKurdufanstate.2)Alongwithhercolleagues

44

(seebelow)Abdellaalsoreportsfacingaseparatetrialonchargesofdefamingthegovernment,failingtoupholdtheresponsibilitiesofaneditor-in-chief,andviolatinglicensingrequirements.Theirtrialsareongoingdespitecondemnationfromcivilrightsorganisations.3)On10and11July2015,AbdellawassummonedforquestioningovercomplaintsfiledbytheNISSandtheMinistryofInformationinrelationtoanarticleaboutthepersecutionofChristiansinSudan.Abdellaisfacingchargesunderarticle(63)‘callingforoppositiontopublicauthoritybyuseofviolenceorcriminalforce’andarticle(66)‘publicationoffalsenews’ofthecriminalcode.Sheisalsofacingchargesunderarticle(24)‘responsibilityofthechiefeditor’andarticle(26)‘nottoprovokereligious,ethnic,andracialseditionorinciteviolenceorwar’ofthepresscode.TheCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ)reportedon12May2016thatsheiscurrentlystillfacingtrialonchargesincludingcriminalconspiracy,underminingtheconstitutionalsystem,encouragingviolentorcriminalopposition,thepublicationoffalsenewsanddefamingthegovernment.Background:ThegovernmenthasbannedallmediacoverageofSudan’srebelmovements.Al-Midaniscurrentlyforbiddentopublishaprinteditionalthoughitcontinuestoappearonline.Thisisthesixthsuspensionofthiskindinthepastfewyears.Twentyofitsissueswereseizedin2012beforeitwasbannedforayear,untilJune2013,withoutacourtorder.ThenewspaperiswellknownforitsoutspokencriticismofthegovernmentanditsconstantrefusaltosubmittopriorcensorshipbytheNISS.

SuleimanHAMED,profession:reporterfortheSudanCommunistPartynewspaperAl-MidanIbrahimMIRGHANI,profession:politicaleditorAl-MidanDetailsoftrial:MirghaniandHamedhavereportedlybeenchargedwithdefamingthegovernmentbytheNationalIntelligenceandSecurityServices(NISS)alongwithMadeehaAbdella(seeabove).Thejournalistsappearedincourton21January2015andwereexpectedtoappearbeforethecourton16February2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.OsmanMARGHANI,profession:editor-in-chiefofprivatenewspaperAl-TayarAhmedYousefAL-TAY,profession:editorofprivatenewspaperAl-SaihaDateofarrest:16December2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,on16December2015theywerearrestedintheirofficesbyplainclothesmembersofStateSecurity.Theywerereportedlyreleasedonbailsixhoursaftertheirdetention.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,theyhavebeenchargedwith‘abusingtheirpositionsasjournalists’,‘publishingfalsenews’and‘underminingtheconstitutionalsystem’.Iftheyarefoundguiltytheycouldreportedlyfacethedeathpenalty.Nofurthernewsonthedetailsoftheirtrialsasof30June2016.Background:Marghanisuggestedthatthechargeswerebroughtbecauseoftheirjournalisticwork.On12December2015,MarghanipublishedanarticleinAl-TayarwherehecriticizedtheFinanceMinisterforblamingSudanesecitizensforfrequentelectricitycuts.Thesameday,Al-TaypublishedanarticleinAl-SaihaalsocriticisingtheFinanceMinisterfornotbeingabletorestrictthegovernment’selectricityconsumption.InJuly2014Al-TayarofficeswerereportedlyraidedbyStatesecurityagentswhoseizedlaptopsandcellphonesanddestroyedequipment.Marghaniwasalsobeatenup.TheAl-SaihaofficeswerealsoraidedbyStatesecurityagentsinMay2014andupto10ofitsjournalistswerereportedlysummonedbyauthoritiesinrelationtocoverageofcorruptioncases.InFebruary2015,bothnewspapers’printcopieswereconfiscatedbytheauthoritieswithoutanyexplanation.PriortothearrestofMarghani,on16December2015Al-TayarnewspaperwasclosedbytheSudanNationalIntelligenceandSecurityService.ThebanwasliftedinMarch2016,afterthenewspaper’sjournalistshadundertakenahungerstrike.AccordingtotheGuardian,afewdaysbeforethearrests,PresidentOmaral-Bashirvowedtotake‘decisivemeasures’againstjournalistswhocriticisedhisfinanceminister.

TANZANIA

45

In2015Tanzaniaenactedanewcybercrimeact,ostensiblyaimedatcrimesnotcoveredbyotherlegislation,suchasspreadinglies,seditionandpornographicmaterialonline.Concernwasraisedbyfreedomofexpressiongroupsthatthescopeoftheactwastoobroadandthesentencestooharsh;asofOctober201612individualshadbeenchargedunderthisactforinsultingthePresident.

Abduction 

*SalmaSAID (f):  Profession: reporterfor Mwananchi newspaperandcorrespondentforDeutsche Welle Dateofabduction: 18March2016Detailsofabduction: SalmaSaidwas reportedly abductedbyunknownassailantsshortlyafterarrivingatJulius Nyerere InternationalAirportinDar es Salaam.ShehadreturnedfromZanzibarwhereshewascoveringtheMarchelections.ShehadflownbackontheadviceoftheTanzaniaHumanRightsDefendersCoalitionafterreceivingthreateninganonymouscallsandtextsmessages,manyofwhichfocusedonherworkreportingonmilitias.Onleavingtheairport,shewasforcedintoacarbymeninplainclothesanddriventoalocationwhereshewasheldforthenexttwodays.Whilstbeingheld, Said waskickedandbeaten;herabductorswerereportedtohavebarelyspoken,excepttotellherthattheydidnotwantherreportingontheelectionsinZanzibar. Dateofrelease: 20March2016 Detailsofrelease: On20March2016shewasreleasedbyherabductors,whodidnotletherseetheirfacesnortheroutebacktowheretheyhadabductedher. Background:TheOctober2015electionsinZanzibarwerecancelleddespitetheoppositionCivicUnitedFrontclaimingtohavewon.Asaresult,theCUFurgedtheirsupporterstoboycottthepoliticalprocess,andZanzibarhasbeenfacingapoliticalcrisis,accordingtoreports.Theelectionswereheldagainon20March2016,stillboycottedbytheopposition,andawinnerwasdeclared.Said’shusbandisalsoanoppositionmemberofparliament.  

OnTrial

*LeonardMULOKOZI:Profession:socialmediauserDetailsoftrial:LeonardMulokoziwaschargedon21June2016forpublishingmessagesonsocialmediaappWhatsAppthatwereabusivetothePresident.Hedeniedthechargesandthecasewasadjourneduntil18July2016.ThetextreportedlyquestionedwhetherthePresidenthadadvisorsandwhetherheconsideredlawsalreadyinplacebeforespeaking.TheStateAttorneyreportedlycontendedthattheaccuseddidn’tjustwritethe‘defamatory’words,butwentontocirculatethem,withtheintentionofspreadingtheinsults.

Attacked 

*Mwanahiba RICHARD(f): Profession: journalistfor Mwananchi CommunicationsLimited(MCL)  Dateofattack: 13February2016 Detailsofattack: Whilereportingfrom Kambarage Stadium,Richardwas reportedly punchedandslappedbyafootballplayer  whocomplainedthatshehadwrittenabouthiminabadlightanddecidedtotakerevenge.

Sentenced

*IsaacABAKUKI:Profession:socialmediauserSentence:AfineofTsh7million(around$2287)Detailsoftrial:IsaacAbakukiwasconvictedundernew2015cybercrimelegislationon9June2016forinsultingthePresidentonhisFacebookpage.HereportedlycalledthePresidentan‘imbecile’.HepledguiltyandwassentencedtoeitherpayafineofTsh7million(around$3200)orspendthreeyearsinjail.HeisrequiredtopaytheTsh7millionfineinonlytwoinstalments.IfAbakukifailsto

46

makescheduledpayments,hewillservehisjailterm.TheinitialcourtjudgementreportedlysentencedhimtoafineofTsh5million(around$2287)alongsideathree-yearjailsentence,butthiswaschangedafterapleabyhislawyer.

TOGO

Ontrial

IzotouABI-ALFA,profession:managingeditorofLeRendez-vousZeusAZIADOUVO,profession:managingeditorofLibertéCarlosKETOHOU,profession:managingeditorofL’IndépendantExpressDetailsoftrial:Abi-AlfaandAziadouvowereinterrogatedon25September,whileKetehouwasinterrogatedon29September2015bypolice.On22October,allthreejournalistswerechargedwithfalseanddefamatoryinformation,followinganarticleaboutacaseofkick-backinvolvingtheministersofFinanceandEconomyaswellastheministerforInfrastructureandTransport.ThethreewereaccusedofpublishingastoryaboutanasphaltroadprojectinwhichtheministerofFinanceandEconomyandhiscolleague,theministerofInfrastructureandTransport,werebelievedtohavereceivedakick-backcommissionof10billionCFAfrancsoutofthetotalprojectcost26billionCFAfrancs.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

UGANDA

Killed:impunity

ThomasPERE:Profession:journalistforNewVisioncoveringsocietystoriesfortheentertainmentandsupplementssections.Dateofbirth:c.1975Detailsofdeath:waskilledbyunknownassailantson16June2013.Perereportedlyleftworktogohomeontheeveningof16June;hisbodywasfoundthefollowingmorninginafieldinMasajja,wherehelived.Aninterimpostmortemestablishedthecauseofdeathtobebluntforcetrauma.Perereportedlysufferedtwobrokencollarbonesandablowtothehead.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtoreports,thepolicedonotbelievehewaskilledattheplacewherethebodywasfoundduetotheabsenceofsignsofastruggleatthescene.TwocommutertaxioperatorsarrestedinJulywithataxiintheirpossessionthathadbloodstainsinitwerereleasedon17September2013afterthreemonths’detentionatKatwePoliceStationafterDNAresultswerenegative.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

Ontrial

NormanTUMUHIMBISE:Profession:authorDateofarrest:19August2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtoreports,on19August2015,Tumuhimbisewasabductedbytheauthoritiesandillegallydetained.Dateofrelease:26August2015Detailsoftrial:Hefaceschargesofunlawfulassembly,criminaltrespass,andinterruptingparliamentarybusiness.Furtherinformation:LocalnewsreportsindicatethathewasarrestedinconnectionwithhisactivismforJoblessBrotherhood.TumuhimbiseisreportedtobelievethatthedetentionisalsoconnectedtohisbookSowingtheMustardSeed.HewasreportedlytorturedbytheUgandanmilitary.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:TumuhimbiseisalsotheleaderofpressuregroupJoblessBrotherhood,anon-partisangroupwhichexposesandlobbiesagainstexploitation,corruptionandyouthunemployment.Hewasalsoarrestedin2013inconnectionwithabookhehadwrittenbutwasreleasedonbail(see2013CaseList).

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BriefDetention

*FrancisOCITI:Profession: JournalistforRedPeppernewspaper Dateofarrest: 27February2016 Detailsofarrest: Francis Ociti wasreportedlycoveringthearrestofForumforDemocraticChangepresidentialcandidateKizzaBesigye,alongsidethereleaseofpigletsdressedinyellow t-shirts bysupportersprotestingBesigye’sarrestattheStateHouse.Abubaker Muwonge,ajournalistforCCTVwhowascoveringthesameevents,wasalsoarrested.Itwas reported thattheywerearrestedonchargesof‘criminaltrespass’. Background:AuthoritiesinUgandaclampeddownonmediafreedomsintherun-uptopresidentialelections,withtelevisionandprintjournalistsbeingarrestedordetained,andradiostationsshutdownaccordingtoreports.Ontheelectionday,severalsocialmediaapplications,includingFacebookand Whatsapp, weretakendown.Duringthisperiod,therewerealso reports ofjournalistsbeingpeppersprayed.

Harassed

*Abubaker Muhamed ZIRABAMUZAALE,Profession:journalistfromtheDailyMonitor*AbubakerLUBOWA,Profession:journalistfromtheDailyMonitor*Mukiibi Eriasa SSERUNJOGI,Profession:journalistfromtheDailyMonitor*NicholasBUMULANZIKI,Profession:journalistfromtheObserverDateofdetention: 27February2016 Detailsofdetention: Thesefourjournalists,alongwithMugerwa GeraldofDeltaTVand Suhair Boss Mugabi ofNTV,werereportedlyarrestedoutsideoppositioncandidateBesigye’shousebeforebeingplacedintoapolicevan.Itwas reported thatallsixjournalistswerebeateninthevan. TwoTVjournalistswhowererecordingthiswereapparentlychasedaway.Localmedia reported thatpolicecitedsecurityasareasonfortheirarrests.Theywere reportedly laterreleasedwithoutcharge.Background: AuthoritiesinUgandaclampdownedonmediafreedomsintherun-uptopresidentialelections,withtelevisionandprintjournalistsbeingarrestedordetainedandradiostationsshutdown,accordingtoreports.Ontheelectionday,severalsocialmediaapplications,includingFacebookand Whatsapp, weretakendown.Duringthisperiod,therewerealso reports ofjournalistsbeingpeppersprayed.

ZAMBIA

Ontrial

*MukoshaFUNGA(f),profession:reporterfortheindependentdailynewspaperThePost*JoanCHIRWA-NGOMA(f), profession:managing editorfor the independent daily newspaper ThePostDetailsoftrial:on12April2016,thetwojournalistswerecautionedoveranarticleinwhichtheyallegedthatthePresidentdrankandplayedpoolonataxpayer-fundedholiday.Thestorywaswrittenin2015,andquotedanoppositionleader,whowasalsochargedseparately.Thejournalistswerechargedwithdefamation,butwerefreedonbailof20,000kwachaafterabrief40minutedetention.Policerecordedwarnandcautionstatementswithbothjournalists,andtheyweretoldthatthepolicewere‘carryingoutinvestigationsinthecaseofdefamationofthePresidentcontrarytosection69Cap87ofthePenalCode’.Theirtrialhasbeenrepeatedlypushedback;originallytheyweremeanttoappearincourton18April2016,butthe DirectorofPublicProsecutionswasnotready,sotheirtrialwasadjournedto17May. Attheirnexthearing,thestateprosecutorsaidthattheycouldnotpleadbecausetheDirectorofPublicProsecutionhadnotyetissuedconsenttoprosecutethem.Thematterwasthenadjournedto23June.Theoppositionleaderhadpreviouslybeenchargedonaseparatecasefile,buttheprosecutionaskedforthistobechangedsoallthree

48

wouldbecharged,whichthejudgegranted.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016Background:InJune2016ThePostnewspaperwasorderedtoclose,duetoallegationsofunpaidtaxes,butvowedtokeeppublishingbyprintingasmallerprintrun.TheclosurecomesinthewidercontextofjudicialharassmentofjournalistsandthenewspaperintherunuptoelectionsscheduledforAugust2016.In2015,theMinisterofInformationpubliclycriticisedandthreatenedThePostwithclosure,andotherhighrankingofficialshavemadesimilarstatements.MukoshaFungaandEditor-in-ChiefofthePostnewspaper,FredM’membearechargedwithpublishingclassifieddocumentsinanothercase.(Seebelow,MukoshaFungaandFredM’membe‘Judicialharassment’)

Ontrial

*FredM’MEMBE: profession: managing editor and Editor-in-Chief of the independent news dailynewspaperThePost.Detailsoftrial:FredM’MembeisfacingchargesofcontemptofCourtandpublishingdefamatorystatementsinacasethathasbeenongoingsince25April2014.AlongsidewithRainbowPartyleaderWynterKabimba,heisbeingsuedbyformerPresidentRupiahBandaforpublishinganarticlethataccusedhimofbeingcorrupt.ThearticlewaspublishedatatimewhenformerPresidentBandawasfacingchargesofcorruption,forwhichhehasthenbeencleared.ThecasewasbroughtseveraltimesbeforetheLusakaMagistrate’sCourtandwasconstantlyadjourned.Asof30June2016thecaseisstillpending.[Stoppress:InJuly2016,formerPresidentBandaannouncedhewouldnotbepursuingthechargesagainstM’Membeandthepolitician.]Background:M’Membehasbeenpursuedonseveralcasesofdefamationoverthepastfewyears.

RichardSAKALA,profession:managingeditoroftheoppositionnewspaperTheDailyNationSimonMWANZA,profession:productioneditoroftheoppositionnewspaperTheDailyNationDateofarrest:10December2013Dateofrelease:13December2013Detailsofarrest:TheywerearrestedinconnectionwiththepublicationofaninterviewwithformerjournalistandexecutivedirectorofFoundationforDemocraticProcess(FODEP)MacDonaldChipenzi.Detailsoftrial:SakalaandMwanza,alongwithChipenzi,werereportedlyaccusedof‘publicationoffalseinformationwithintenttocausepublicalarm’undersection67oftheZambianpenalcodeon12December2013.Thejournalistswerereleasedaftertheymetbailconditionsof10,000kwacha(approx.US$1,300)andtwoguarantorswhowereemployedbythegovernmentorapara-governmentalorganisation.Theirtrialwasexpectedtocommenceon26January2014.AccordingtoMarch2014reports,theircasewasreferredtotheLusakaHighCourtforconstitutionaldeterminationafterdefencelawyersarguedthattheapplicationofsection67inSakalaandMwanza’scasewasarbitraryandexcessivelyhamperedfreedomofexpressionasguaranteedbysection20oftheZambianConstitution.On4December2014,theLusakaHighCourtruledinSakalaandMwanza’sfavour,holdingthatZambia’sso-called‘falsenews’lawviolatestherighttofreedomofexpressionandisthereforeunconstitutionaltherebyhaltingtheirprosecution.Asof30June2016itappearsthatSakala,ChipenziandMwandaarestillontrialdespitetheHighCourtruling.Accordingtoreports,theDirectorofPublicProsecutionsMutemboNchitodecidedtocontinueprosecutingSakala,ChipenziandMwanzadespitereportedlydroppingproceedingsofasimilarmatteragainstUnitedPartyforNationalDevelopment(UPND)leaderHakaindeHichilema,whowasarrestedunderthesamelawasSakala.ThishasledtosomecriticismofNchitofornotapplyingthelawequallyinallcases.Background:Intheinterviewinquestion,ChipenziquestionedthereasonsbehindachangeinthepolicerecruitmentprocessinZambiaafterconcernswereraisedthatasecretmilitiawasbeingrecruitedwithinthepoliceforcethatcouldbeusedforpoliticalpurposes.

ThomasZGAMBO:Profession:contributortonewswebsiteZambianWatchdogDateofarrest:9July2013Dateofrelease:11July2013,onbailDetailsofarrest:Zgambowasinitiallyarrestedanddetainedalong

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withjournalistClaysonHamasaka,whoisalsothoughttobeacontributortoZambianWatchdog.Policereportedlyraidedthejournalists’homesthatsamedayinseparateoperations,claimingtobesearchingfordrugsandseditiousmaterialandaccusingthemofpublishingstoriesfortheZambianWatchdog.Detailsoftrial:Zgambowasreportedlychargedwith‘sedition’inconnectionwithdocumentsfoundatZgambo’shomeabouthowformerPresidentSatastartedhisPatrioticFrontparty.Zgambowasexpectedtoappearincourtagainon6August2013.Accordingtoreportson2August2013,Zgambowascalledbackforfurtherquestioningatpoliceheadquarters,wherehewasaskedtore-writeadocumentthatthepolicesuspectwasauthoredbyhim,butherefused.Accordingto3October2013newsreports,theseditionchargewasdropped.However,on14November2013,hewaschargedwith‘possessionofobscenemateriallikelytocorruptmoralsofthepublic’,towhichheplednotguilty.Astatewitnesshasadmittedlyinginthecase.ForbackgroundonZambianWatchdog.Itisnotclearifthetrialisstillongoingasof30June2016;PENisseekinganupdate.Otherinformation:Accordingtoreports,ZgambofiledanofficialcomplainttotheZambianPoliceoverrecurringthreats.AccordingtoalettersentbyZgambototheInspectorGeneraldated17June2015,hereportedthatindividualswerethreateninghimforcallingforresponsiblejournalism.ZgamboandHamasakahavealsosuedAirtel,aZambianmobileserviceprovider,forallowingunauthorisedpeopletotapintotheirmobilephones.ZgamboandHamasakareportedlyclaimthisactivitybreachedvariousarticlesandrightsintheZambianConstitution.ThetwojournalistsarecurrentlyseekinganinjunctiontorestrainAirtelandotherindividualsfrombreachingtheirrightstoprivacyandfreedomofexpression.Accordingtonewsreports,informationpublishedon19October2015suggestedthattheLusakaHighCourthadorderedAirteltoproducetherecordsofphonecallsandSMSofthetwojournalistsinordertoascertainwhetheranyinformationwasdivertedfromtheAirtelnetworksystem.

JudicialHarassment

Mukosha FUNGA(f),profession: reporteroftheindependentdailynewspaperThePost  FredM’MEMBE,profession: editoroftheindependentnewdailynewspaperThePost Dateofarrest: 16July2015 Dateofrelease: 17July2015 Detailsofarrest: Bothjournalistswere reportedlydetainedafterbeingsummonedintheWoodlandsPoliceStationinLusaka.Theyhad alreadybeensummonedpreviouslyinMay2015inrelationtothiscasebutnotdetained.Theirlawyers demandedtheirreleaseonbailwhichwasgrantedthenextdayat30,000Zambiankwacha(aroundUS$4,800)accordingtotheInternationalPressInstitute.Detailsoftrial: Theyhavebeenaccusedofpublishingclassifiedinformation.The InternationalPressInstitutereportedthatthefirsthearingwasscheduledfor17August2015.Atthe hearingthecasewastransferredtotheHighCourtaslowercourtsdidnothavejurisdiction.Accordingtolocalnewsreports,thejournalistspleadednotguiltytotheaccusationsandthetrialwasadjournedto26January2016,withthejournalistsbailalsobeingextended. Thehearingwasthenadjournedtothe29and30March2016atthestate’srequest,astheywerenotreadytobeginthecase,accordingtonewsreports.On 5May2016itwas reported thatthestateprosecutorhadentereda nolle prosequi,whichallowedthemtobedischarged,althoughnotacquitted,meaningthattheycouldstillberearrested. Background: Theaccusationsarebasedonaletter publishedinThePostwhichwasallegedlywrittenbyZambia’santi-corruptioncommissionand forwardedtoPresidentEdgarLungu.TheletterinquestionclaimedthatoneoftheaidesofthePresidenthadacceptedbribesfromaChinesecompany.  

ZIMBABWE

Reportedmissing

ItaiPeaceKadikiDZAMARA:

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Profession:politicalactivistandformerjournalistDateofdisappearance:9March2015Detailsofdisappearance:DzamarawasreportedlyabductedbyfiveunidentifiedmenatabarbershopinHarare.Themenaccusedhimofcattletheft,handcuffedhimandbundledhimintoanunmarkedvan,accordingtonewsreports.ThemenhadbeenspotteddrivingaroundDzamara’slocalneighbourhood,accordingtoastatementbyhisfamily.Detailsofinvestigation:Inapressconference,Dzamara’sfamilyemphasisedthattheybelievethathewasabductedbystateagents–claimsthatthegovernmentvehementlyrefute,denyinganyknowledgeofhiswhereabouts.On13Marchthecountry’shighcourtorderedthepoliceandstateintelligenceagencytosearchforDzamaraandworkcloselywiththefamily’slawyer.Accordingtohisbrother,noprogresshasbeenmadeintheinvestigationsinceDzamara’sdisappearance.Accordingtonewsreportspublishedon17July2015,theeffortsofthepolicehadprovenunsuccessful.Thegovernmentisreportedlyintensifyingitseffortsduetothepressurefromcivilsocietyorganizationsandopposition.On10March2016,itwasreportedthatmembersofhisfamilyblamedZanuPFandstatesecurityagentsforhisabduction.Whilethepolicestillclaimedthattheyhadnoleadsonthecase,theZimbabwelawyersforHumanRightsgroupfiledasuccessfulhabeascorpusapplicationatthehighcourt,orderingseniorsecurityofficialstodoeverythingnecessarytofindDzamara,andaHighCourtJusticedirectedateamofpolicedetectivestoworkcloselywithDzamara’slegalteam.Update:InMay2016hisfamilyprovidedaphotoofamaskedDzamaratothemedia.ThephotowasallegedlyprovidedtothembypeopleclosetoDzamara’sdisappearance.Background:DzamarawastheeditoroftheNewsLeadernewspaperwhichhefoundedin2008priortowhichheworkedforvariouspublicationsincludingtheZimbabweIndependent,theStandardandtheZimbabwean.InOctober2014hesuspendeditspublicationinordertofocusonhispoliticalactivism.ThesamemonthhesubmittedapetitiontoPresidentMugabecallingforhisresignation.Hespearheadspro-democracymovementOccupyAfricaUnitySquare,whichcallsforMugabe’sresignation.TwodaysbeforehisabductionhedeliveredaspeechatanoppositionrallyinHarare,offeringsolidaritywiththeMovementforDemocraticChange(MDC)partyformassprotestsagainstthedeterioratingpoliticalandeconomicsituationinZimbabwe.Otherinformation:TheUSHarareEmbassyandtheEUDelegationinthecountryhavebothcalledfortheauthoritiestomobilisegreatereffortsinfindingDzamaraandbringingthosewhoareresponsibleforhisdisappearancetojustice.ReportsstatethatbothhislawyersandhisfamilybelieveheisbeingheldbyZimbabwe’ssecurityservicesandhavecalledforhisrelease.PENAction:RAN07/15and20March2015statement.

Ontrial

BrianCHITEMBA,profession:investigationseditorofthenewspaperSundayMailTinasheFARAWO,profession:reporterofthenewspaperSundayMailMabasaSASA,profession:editorofthenewspaperSundayMailDateofarrest:2November2015Dateofrelease:3November2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,thethreeweredetainedinconnectionwithanarticlethatimplicatedpoliceofficersandauthoritiesofHwangeNationalParkinthepoisoningofatleast60elephantsandsellingoftheirtusks.Detailsofrelease:Theywerereleasedthreedaysafteron$100bailafterappearingatHarareMagistrates’Court.Theywerealsoreportedlytoldthattheywouldhavetoreportonceaweektoapoliceofficeuntilthetrial.Detailsoftrial:Allthreewereaccusedof‘publishingfalseinformation’.On18December2015,newsreportssuggestedthatthetrialwasscheduledfor26February2016.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.[Stoppress:InSeptember2016thejournalistswereremovedfromremand,aftertheHighCourtorderedtheMagistrates’Courttostayproceedingsofthematter.]

JudicialHarassment  

*Nqaba MATSHAZI,profession:DeputyeditorofNEWSDAY*Xolisani NCUBE,profession:journalist atNEWSDAY

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Dateofarrest: 7January2016Detailsofarrest: Nqaba Matshazi and Xolisani Ncube werebothreportedlytakenintocustodyalongwithAlphaMediaHoldings’legalsecretarySifikileThabeteafterwritinganarticleallegingthatthe CentralIntelligenceOrganisationreceivedsecretbonusesafterothercivilservantspaywaspostponed.Accordingto localmedia,theywerechargedunderSection31(1)(ii)oftheCriminal(ReformandCodification)Act(publishingfalsehoodswhichmayadverselyaffectthedefenceoreconomicinterestsofZimbabwe). Theyappearedincourtandweregranted $200 bail,andaskedtoreturntocourton27January2016,althoughtheywerenotaskedtoplead.Theyappliedtohavetheircasereferredtotheconstitutionalcourton28January. Theywerereportedlyaskedtoreturnon15FebruaryasthemagistratewasnotreadytomakearulingontheConstitutionalCourtruling.  Background: Matshazi wasinvolvedinacasechallengingwhetherSection31(1)(iii)ofthecriminalcode,whichwasusedoftenusedtoprosecutejournalistsfordefamation,wasvalid.Itwasruledinvalidin2014undertheoldConstitution.InFebruary2016theConstitutionalCourtruledthatcriminaldefamationlawsareinvalidandunconstitutional,upholdingthe2014rulinginrespecttothenewconstitution.

Released

PatrickCHITONGO:Profession:freelancejournalistSentence:12monthsinprison(fourmonthsofwhicharesuspended.)Dateofarrest:lastweekofJune2015Dateofrelease:2July2015Detailsofrelease:Chitongowasreportedlyreleasedonbailon2July2015,afterhislawyerappliedforbailpendinghisappeal.Detailsoftrial:Chitongowasreportedlysentencedto12monthsinprison-fourofwhicharesuspended-on23June2015forpublishingthreeissuesofanewspapercalledTheSouthernMirrorwithoutapermitfromtheZimbabweMediaCommission,therebyviolatingsection72(1)oftheAccesstoInformationandProtectionofPrivacyAct(AIPPA).Chitongosaidthethreeissueswereproducedasexamplestobesubmittedtothecommissionalongwithapermitapplication.Heisappealingagainsthissentence.AccordingtoColumbiaGlobalFreedomofExpression,on2July2015,Chitongowasgranted$200bailpendinghisappealagainstbothhissentenceandhisconviction,althoughhewasorderedtostaylivingathiscurrentresidenceandreporttothepoliceonceeverytwoweeks.ItwasreportedthathisappealwasdismissedbytheHighCourt,andhewasthenimprisonedonaccountoffailuretopayfeesrequiredtoprocesshisappealrecordintime.ItappearsthathewasreleasedatsomepointinMay2016.

AMERICAS

ARGENTINA

Ontrial

PabloKATCHADJIAN:Profession:novelist,poetanduniversitylecturer.Dateofbirth:1977Detailsoftrial:AcriminallawsuitwasbroughtagainstKatchadjianin2011foralleged“intellectualpropertyfraud”forhis2009shortexperimentalbookElAlephEngordado(TheFattenedAleph)byMariaKodama,widowoftheArgentineauthorJorgeLuisBorgesandguardianoftheBorgesianliteraryestate.ThelawsuitwasbroughtonthebasisthatKatchadjian’stext–whichtakesBorges’wellknownshortstoryElAlephand“fattens”itbyaddingsome5,600wordsofhisowntoBorges’original4,000–amountedtoplagiarism.Thechargesarebasedonanarchaicintellectualpropertylaw(Law11.723of1933,Article71),whichalongwiththeArgentinePenalCode(Article172),providesforbetweenonemonthandsixyears’imprisonment.Thelawsuitwasinitiallydismissed,butKodamaappealedtherulingwhich

52

resultedinafurtherreviewbyalowercourt.On18June2015,Katchadjianwasformallychargedwith“intellectualpropertyfraud”bythesamejudgewhohadoriginallydismissedthecase.Theappealscourtalsofrozehisassets,imposingan80,000peso(c.US$8,800)embargoonhisproperty.Katchadjian’slawyerappealedthedecision.On14August2015,aCourtofAppealoverturnedKatchadjian’sindictment,butdidnotacquithim.Instead,thecourtorderedthataliteraryexpertshouldreviewthebookandprovideareport,thusdelayingthefinalruling.Eachpartyisallowedtoprovidetheirownexpert,whowillworkwiththecourt-appointedexpert.Iffoundguilty,Katchadjianfacesuptosixyearsinprison.Update:AccordingtoKatchadjianasofearlyAugust2016,theexpertreviewofhisbookhadonlyrecentlybegunduetodelaysonthepartofKodama’slawyer.Background:Katchadjianisthecriticallyacclaimedauthorof10books,includingthenovelsGracias(Thanks),Lalibertadtotal(TotalFreedom)andQuéhacer(Whattodo).HisworkhasbeentranslatedintoEnglish,FrenchandHebrew.AnoperaadaptationofLalibertadtotalwasreportedlyperformedinBuenosAiresin2014.ElAlephEngordadowaspublishedin2009byImprentaArgentinadePoesía,asmallindependentpress,inaprintrunof200copies,mostofwhichwerereportedlygivenawaytofriends.InapostscripttoElAlephEngordadodated1November2008,KatchadjianmakesitclearthattheprecedingtextishisexpansionofBorges’ElAleph.Hehasreportedlywithdrawnhistextfromhisblogandotherofficialchannels.TherewasthereforenointentiononhisparttopassBorges’textoffashisownor,apparently,tomakeaprofit.Otherinformation:Almost3,000writers,intellectualsandothersupportersfromArgentinaandbeyondsignedanopenletterprotestingtheprosecutionofKatchadjian,includingCésarAiraandCarlosGamerro.Apublicdemonstrationtookplaceon3July2015atNationalLibraryinBuenosAires,ofwhichBorgeswasdirectorfrom1955-73.PENAction:3July2015Calltoaction

BOLIVIA

Judicialharassment

*WilsonGARCÍAMÉRIDAProfession:editoroftheonlinenewssitewww.soldepando.comDateofharassment:10May2016Detailsofharassment:GarcíaMerídahasbeenaccusedofseditionbytheMinisterofPresidencyJuanRamónQuintanaforunknownreasons.Accordingtonewsreports,on10MayGarcíareceivedasummonstoreporttothepublicprosecutor’sofficeinCochabamba.Effortsbyhislawyertoobtainmoredetailsabouttheaccusationsreportedlyyieldednoresults.Shortlyafter,GarcíaMerídafledtoBrazilasaprecautionsincethecrimeofseditionimpliesimmediatejailtimeevenintheinitialphaseoftheprocess,accordingtoanewsreportbytheKnightCentreforJournalismintheAmericas.However,laterthatmonthmediareportsindicatedthatGarcíawasseekingassistancetoreturntoBolivia,wherehischildrenandotherfamilymembersremained.Background:GarcíaMerídahadreportedlybeencriticalaboutQuintana,linkinghiminaseriesofarticlestothedrugdealerMauroVásquez.Accordingtoanewsreport,García’scasewillbedealtwithbytheTribunaldeImprenta,acourtforjournalists’cases.

BRAZIL

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Killed:impunity

OrislândioTimóteoARAUJO(akaRobertoLano):Profession:politicalbloggeratblogdorobertolano,radiohostandDJDateofdeath:21November2015Detailsofdeath:Araujo(37)wasreportedlyshotintheheadbyanunknownassailantwhofledthesceneonamotorcycle.ThemurderreportedlyoccurredwhilehewaswithhiswifeonamotorcycleontheirwaytothecitycentreofBuriticupu,inMaranhãostate,northeastBrazil.Araujowasalsoknownforhisworkonpoliticalcampaignsinthestateandasaneventpromoterintheregion.Inhislastblogpost,on18November2015,hecriticisedthemayorofBuriticupuforbuildingabridgeinthemiddleofnowhere.Detailsofinvestigation:Theauthoritieslaunchedaninvestigationintowhattheybelievewasacontractkilling,reportedlycitinghisjournalisticactivitiesasapossiblelineofinvestigation.On29November2015,thepoliceinBuriticupureportedlylocatedagunwhichtheybelievedtobethemurderweapon.On28December2015,thepolicereportedlyarrestedanunidentifiedprimarysuspect.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:AraujowasthethirdjournalisttobemurderedinBrazilintwoweeks,followingthekillingofpoliticalbloggerÍtaloEduardoDinizBarros,alsoinMaranhãostate,on13November(seebelow)2015,andradioreporterIsraelGonçalvesSilvainPernambucostate,easternBrazil,on10November2015.Anotherpoliticalbloggerandjournalist,DecioSá,waskilledinMaranhãostateon23April2012,indirectretaliationforhiswork(seebelow).PENAction:pressrelease27November2015PauloRobertoCARDOSORODRIGUES(knownasPauloROCARO):Profession:editorofthelocaldailyJornalDaPraçaandthenewswebsiteMercosulNewsDateofdeath:12February2012Detailsofdeath:Rocaro(51)wasshotdeadinPontaPorã,inthesouth-westernstateofMatoGrossoduSul.Hehadbeendrivinghomewhenhewasattackedbytwoarmedmenridingamotorcycle,whofiredatleastfivebulletsintohim.Detailsofinvestigation:Policewerereportedlyinvestigatingthecrimeasapossiblecontractkilling,andwerelookingintopoliticalmotives,amongothers.On4October2012,theownerofJornalDaPraça,LuisHenriqueGeorges,andanotherofthenewspaper’semployeeswerereportedlyshotdeadbyunknownindividualswhileanothermemberofstaffwasinjuredasaresultoftheincident.JornalDaPraçahadrecentlypublishedarticleshighlycriticalofcandidatesforthemunicipalelectionsheldinPontaPorãon7October2012.On7May2013,policeinMatoGrossodoSulstatereportedlypresentedtheresultsoftheinvestigationintoRocaro’smurder:theybelievedthemotivetobepolitical.Rocaro,amemberoftheWorkers’Party,hadadisagreementwithanothermemberoftheparty,ClaudioRodriguesdeSouza,aboutwhoshouldrunforPontaPorãmayortwodaysbeforetheshooting.Duringtheargument,RocaroreportedlythreatenedtopublishstoriesonallegedirregularitiesinvolvingRodrigues’businesses.ThepolicebelievedthatRodrigueshiredtwohitmentokillRocaro.RodriguesreportedlyhadapreviousconvictionforhomicideinSãoPaulostate.LuisHenriqueGeorges’murderremainedunsolvedasof30June2015andnoevidencehadbeenproducedindicatingwhetherornotthetwomurderswererelated.TwoyearsonfromRocaro’smurder,thepolicehadfailedtogainsufficientevidenceagainstthoseitbelievestohaveorderedandcarriedoutthecrime.RodriguesisreportedtohavegivenhisstatementtothepoliceinPontaPorãinwhichheclaimedhisinnocence.Thewhereaboutsofoneoftheallegedhitmenremainsunknown.On18September2015,ClaudioRodriguesdeSouza,theaccusedmastermindofRocaro’smurder,wasshotdeadinthecityofJandira.Police

54

reportedmorethan20bulletswerefired,twoofwhichhitandpiercedthevehiclehewasin.Rocaro´smurderremainedunsolvedasof31December2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Rocaroreportedonpolitics.Accordingtoreports,hehadbeencriticalofthelocalmayorandhadpubliclylenthissupporttoarivalmayoralcandidate.Onthenighthewaskilled,thejournalisthadbeenreturninghomeafterameetingwiththeoppositioncandidate.ThekillingtookplaceneartheParaguayanborder,aregionofBrazilknownfororganizedcriminalactivityandforpoliticalcorruption.PENAction:RAN09/1215February2012

EduardoCARVALHO:Profession:editorandownerofthewebsiteÚltimaHoraNewsDateofdeath:21November2012Detailsofdeath:Carvalho(52)wasarrivinghomewithhiswifeinCampoGrande,capitalofMatoGrossodoSulstate,whenanunidentifiedmanonamotorcycleshothimthreetimesbeforefleeing.AccordingtoÚltimaHoraNews,Carvalho,aretiredmilitarypoliceofficer,oftencriticisedthelocalpoliceandpoliticiansanddenouncedlocalcorruptioninhisarticles.Hehadreportedlybeenreceivingthreatsinconnectionwithhisjournalismsince2011andhadalsosurvivedanassassinationattempt,asaresultofwhichhewasauthorisedtocarryagun.Accordingtothepolice,Carvalhohadbeenthesubjectofmanylibellawsuitsrelatedtohisreporting.Hislastarticle,publishedonthedayofhismurder,accusedanunnamedmilitarypoliceofficialofabusinghisauthoritytointimidatelocalcitizens.Detailsofinvestigation:ThepolicereportedlyintendtofocustheirinvestigationonwhetherthemurderwasrelatedtoCarvalho'sjournalisticwork.On7February2013,itwasreportedthattheinvestigationsintohismurderwereon-going,withinitialmaterialevidenceandtelephonerecordsunderreview.Thepolicehadreportedlyreceivedmorethan30formalcomplaintsagainstthejournalistallegingdefamationandlibel,buttheyaddedthatthemotiveofthemurderhadnotbeenproven.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN76/1229November2012

ÍtaloEduardoDINIZBARROS:Profession:blogger[italodiniz.com]andpressofficerforalocalmayorDateofdeath:13November2015Detailsofdeath:Accordingtoreports,Diniz(30)wasshotfourtimesbytwounidentifiedmenonamotorcycleinthecityofGovernadorNunesFreire,Maranhãostate,northeastBrazil.ThegunmenfledthesceneandDinizlaterdiedinhospital.Afriendwhowaswithhimatthetimewasalsoshotandinjured.Dinizhadreportedlyreceiveddeaththreatsrelatingtohiswork,includinginthedaysbeforehewaskilled.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,thepoliceofficerinchargeoftheinvestigationindicatedthattheinvestigationwouldlookatDiniz’blogswhereheoftencriticisedlocalauthoritiesasapossiblemotivationforthemurder.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:DinizalsoworkedasapressofficerforMarcelCurió,themayorofGovernadorNunesFreire,andbloggedaboutscandalsandallegedwrongdoingbyotherlocalpoliticians.Diniz'sblogfeaturedcontentfromotherblogsandlocalpublicationsinMaranhãoaswellassomeoriginalreporting.Afewdaysbeforehewasshot,DinizhadtoldcolleaguesonaWhatsAppgroupforbloggersthathehadreceivedadeaththreat.HismurdercamefourdaysafterthatofradioreporterIsraelGonçalvesSilvainPernambucostate,easternBrazil,on10November2015.PENAction:pressrelease27November2015

55

FranciscoGOMESDEMEDEIROS:Profession:contributortonewspaperTribunadoNorte,internetwriterandnewsdirectorofalocalradiostationDateofdeath:18October2010Detailsofdeath:HewasshotdeadbyamanonamotorbikeinfrontofhishouseinCaicó,RioGrandedoNortestate.Gomeshadreportedonavarietyoflocaltopics,includinggovernmentcorruption,crimeanddrugtrafficking.HehadrecentlyreceiveddeaththreatsafterpublishingapieceonhisblogaccusinglocalpoliticiansofbeinginvolvedinbuyingvotesinexchangefordrugsduringthefirstroundoftheBraziliangeneralelectionson3October2010.Detailsofinvestigation:On19October2010thepolicearrestedJoãoFranciscodosSantosandclaimedthathehadadmittedkillingGomesinreprisalforhiscoverageofSantos’2007convictiononarmedrobberycharges.Despitethis,statepolicesaidthattheywerestillinvestigatingthecaseandhadnotruledoutfurtherleads.On3December2010theDiáriodeNatalreportedthatGomes’killingwascarriedoutontheordersofajaileddrugtrafficker,accordingtolocalpolice.ValdirSouzadoNascimento,whowasarrestedin2007andwasthenservingasentencefordrugtrafficking,allegedlyorderedSantostoshootGomesbecausethejournalist’sreportingwasaffectingthecriminalactivitiesthatSouzawascontinuingtorunfromprison.On23October2012,GloboreportedthatthechargesagainstSouzahadbeendropped.Atrialbeganon3May2011.Abusinessman,LailsonLopes,wasaccusedofhavingorderedthecrimewhileJoãoFranciscodosSantoswasaccusedofcarryingitout.On6August2013,dosSantoswassentencedto27yearsinprisonfortheshootingandkillingofGomes,whileLopeswasreportedlysentencedto21yearsinprison,reducedbyonethirdto14yearsinApril2014.Fourothermenincludingalocalarmylieutenantcolonel,amilitarypoliceofficer,alawyerandaformerpastor,werereportedlyalsofacingchargesandawaitingtrial.Allfourmendeniedanyinvolvementinthemurder.Accordingto13February2014reports,ajudgeruledthattherewasinsufficientevidencetoprosecuteeitherthelieutenantcolonelorthemilitarypoliceofficer.Gomes’familyisbelievedtohaveappealedagainstthisdecision.Thecaseagainstthelawyerandaformerpastorwasallowedtoproceed.Accordingto9June2015reports,theCriminalChambersoftheNorthRioGrandeStateCourtofJusticeruledthatLopesshouldbesubjecttoare-trial.Accordingto15September2015reports,thecaseagainstthelawyer,RivaldoDantasdeFarias,wasongoing;heisbelievedtobethemastermindbehindGomes’smurder,andwasinitiallyjailedforeightmonthsasrequiredbytheindictment.On28October2015,itwasreportedthattheon-goingtrialswouldbepostponeduntil4November2015aftertheinvolvementofanotherallegedsuspect,formerpastorGilsonSoaresNeudodoAmaral,cametolight.On4April2016,itwasreportedthatthetrialagainstformerpastorGilsonSoaresNeudodoAmaralhadbeenpostponedandanewdatehadyettobeset;SoaresisreportedlyaccusedofhavingorderedGomes’killing.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.MarcosdeBarrosLeopoldoGUERRA:Profession:blogger(UbatubaCobra)andlawyerDateofdeath:23December2014Detailsofdeath:Guerra(51)wasreportedlyshotdeadbyunidentifiedgunmenonamotorcycleathishomeinUbatuba,SaoPaolostate.TheattackersopenedfireonGuerrafromoutsidethehousethroughakitchenwindow;hediedafterreceivingwoundstotheface,backandabdomen.AccordingtoGuerra’sfather,hehadreceiveddeaththreatsinconnectiontoarticlespublishedonhisblogpriortohisdeath.Detailsofinvestigation:UbatubaCivilPoliceChiefFaustoCardosoisreportedtohaveconfirmedthatpolicewereconsideringhisblogasapossiblemotiveforthecrime.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:

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Guerrawasknowntobecriticaloflocalgovernmentcorruptioninhisblog.Inoneofhismostrecentarticleshehadquestionedlocalauthoritiesovertheallegeddiversionofpublicfunds.PENAction:featuredin2015InternationalDaytoEndImpunitycampaign

MarioRandolfoMARQUESLOPES:Profession:editor-in-chiefofthenewswebsiteVassourasnaNetDateofdeath:8February2012Detailsofdeath:Alongwithhiscompanion,Marques(50)wasabductedfromhishomeinBarradoPiraí,RiodeJaneirostate.Bothwerefoundthefollowingday,shotdead.Marqueshadfrequentlyaccusedlocalofficialsofcorruptioninarticlesonhiswebsite,accordingtonewsreports.Hismostrecentarticleonhiswebsiteaccusedlocaljudgesandcourtsofbeingcorruptandtoopowerful.Detailsofinvestigation:Aninvestigationisunderway.Marques’bodywasreportedlyexhumedon25February2013inordertoextractDNAsamplesforuseintestingagainstbloodstainsfoundinthreevehiclesseizedatthetimeofhismurder;oneofthevehicleswasreportedtobethatofataxidriverwhoworkedinthecitycentre.TheexhumationofthebodycameinresponsetoarequestfiledeightmonthspreviouslybytheprincipaldelegateofthecivilpoliceofBarradoPiraí.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Marqueshadbeenattackedbefore.InJuly2011,anunidentifiedgunmanenteredtheVassourasnaNetnewsroominVassouras,andshothimfivetimesinthehead,whichlefthiminacomaforthreedays.

EvanyJoséMETZKER:Profession:blogger['CorujadoVale'(TheOwloftheValley)]Dateofdeath:13May2015Detailsofdeath:Thehalf-naked,decapitatedbodyofMetzker(67)wasfoundnearthetownofPadreParaíso,MinasGeraisstate,on18May2015,fivedaysafterhewasreportedmissing.Hishandswerereportedlytiedbehindhisbackandhisbodyshowedsignsoftorture.Hisheadwasfound100metresaway.Metzker’swallet,IDcardandcreditcardwerefoundnearhisbody.Detailsofinvestigation:PolicewerereportedlyledtoMetzker’sbodyfollowingananonymoustip-off.Duetoitsstateofdecomposition,theCivilPolicearesaidtohavedeterminedthatMetzkerwaskilledon13May2015.Accordingtopressreports,apolicespokesmanconfirmedthattheauthoritiesbelievethathewastargetedforhisinvestigationsintoachildprostitutionringanddrugtrafficking.Policearealsoreportedtobeinvestigatingacrimeofpassionasalineofenquiry.Theinvestigationswerereportedlyongoingasof31December2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:MetzkerhadtravelledtoPadreParaísothreemonthsbeforehewentmissing.Hewasarecognisedcriticwhopublishedarticlesonpolitics,corruption,drugtraffickingandchildprostitutiononhisblog.PENAction:statementon22May2015

RodrigoNETODEFARIA:Profession:hostofthe“PlantãoPolicial”(“PoliceShift”)showonRadioVanguardia,pressaideforthelocalmayorandreporterforthedailynewspaperValedoAҫoDateofdeath:8March2013Detailsofdeath:Neto(38)wasshotdeadbytwomenonamotorcycle.HewasreportedlygettingintohiscarafterleavingalocalbarheoftenfrequentedwithacolleagueinIpatinga,MinasGerais,whenhewasshottwice;hediedlaterinhospital.Hisattackersdidnottakeanyoftheprofessionalequipmenthehadwithhim.NetohadonlystartedworkforValedoAҫotheweekbeforehismurder.Accordingtoreports,thejournalisthadaggressivelycoveredpolicecorruptionthroughouthiscareerandhadfrequentlyreceivedthreats,especiallyinrelationtohiscoverageofcasesinwhichpoliceofficersweresuspectedofbeinginvolvedinlocalmurders.Atthetimeofhisdeathhewasreportedlyworkingona

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bookentitledThePerfectCrimes,whichinvestigatedseveralmurdersinwhichhesuspectedpoliceinvolvement.Netohadrecentlyreportedbeingfollowed.HisreportinghadledtohisgivingtestimonytotheMinasGeraisstateassembly’shumanrightscommitteeinwhichheaccusedpoliceofficersofinvolvementincriminalactivity.LocaljournalistsbelievedthatNeto’smurdercouldberelatedtohiswork.AtweetbythehumanrightsministersuggestedthatthefederalauthoritiesregardedNeto’smurderasanexecution-stylekillingprobablylinkedtohiswork.Detailsofinvestigation:On19April2013,thechiefofpoliceinMinasGeraisconfirmedtheparticipationofpoliceofficersinNeto’smurder.FivepoliceofficershadbeenarrestedandwereunderinvestigationforNeto’skillingandthatofhiscolleague,WalgneyCarvalho,aValedoAҫophotojournalistwhowasshotdeadon14April2013.Investigationsrevealedthatbothmenwerekilledbythesamegun.Thepoliceofficersarereportedlysuspectedofbelongingtomilitiagroupsthatoperateintheregion,whoseactivitiesNetohadbeeninvestigating;Carvalhoissaidtohavetakenthephotographsthataccompaniedtheinvestigation.InJuly2013itwasreportedthatCarvalho’smurderhadbeenconfirmedasawitnesselimination;hehadpubliclyclaimed,includingonsocialmedia,toknowwhowasresponsibleforNeto’sdeath.Itwasbelievedthatthepersonbehindbothjournalists’murdersisAlessandroNevesAugusto,whilepolicemanLucioLirioLealwasidentifiedasaco-conspirator.Itwasalsobelieved,butnotyetconfirmed,thatfourotherpolicemenconnectedtoNeveswerearrestedforallegedinvolvementwithadeathsquadintheregionandmayhavebeenresponsibleforcarryingouttheshootings.On22August2013,NevesandLealwerechargedwithNeto’smurder.Lealisconsideredanaccomplicetothecrime,havingprovidedtheassassinwithinformationastoNeto’swhereabouts.NeveswasalsochargedwiththemurderofCarvalho.Thetrialbeganon9December2013.Aninvestigationwason-goingintothemotivebehindNeto’smurderanditsmastermind.Lealwasreportedlysentencedto12yearsinprisonforhisinvolvementinNeto’smurderon29August2014.On19June2015,acourtsentencedAlessandroNevesAugustoto16yearsinprisonforNeto’smurder.Neveswasalreadyinprisonatthetimeofhissentencing.On19August2015,Neveswassentencedtoafurther14yearsandthreemonthsinprisonforthemurderofWalgneyCarvalho.Asof30June2016,itwasunclearwhetheraninvestigationintoanallegedmastermindofNeto’smurderisstillon-going.

JoséRobertoORNELASDELEMOS:Profession:directorofthedailynewspaperJornalHoraHDateofdeath:11June2013Detailsofdeath:Ornelas(45)wasreportedlygunneddownbyfourmaskedmenon11June2013.Accordingtoreports,Ornelaswasshotatleast40timeswhilehewasatabakeryinNovaIguacú,RíodeJaneirostate.Ornelashadreportedlyreceivedconstantthreatsrelatedtothenewspaper’sreporting.Detailsofinvestigation:Thepolicewerereportedtobeconsideringalllinesofenquiryandhadnotruledouthisworkasapossiblemotive.On4November2015,theauthoritiesarrestedfoursuspectsinrelationtoOrnelas’murder.Thesuspectswerereportedasbeingextortionist-typegang-members(knownas“militias”inBrazil)ledbyapoliceofficerwhowasalsoarrested.TheinspectorinchargeoftheinvestigationstatesthatthegangviewedDeLemosasan“obstacle”totheirplannedexpansionintoNovaIguaçu.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:JornalHoraHisknownforitsreportingonpoliticalandpolicecorruption.Ornelashadreportedlybeeninvestigatedforthreemurderscommittedinthe1990s,butwasneverformerlycharged.In2003,hewasimprisonedforthemurderofalocalofficial;however,hewaslater

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acquitted.In2005,hereportedlysurvivedanattemptonhislife,whichwassuspectedtobeinretaliationforcomplaintsthatwerepublishedinthenewspaper.

PedroPALMA:Profession:ownerofthelocalweeklynewspaperPanoramaRegionalDateofdeath:13February2014Detailsofdeath:Palma(47)wasreportedlykilledoutsidehishomeinMiguelPereiracity,RiodeJaneirostate.Hewasshotthreetimesbytwoassailantsridingamotorcycle.Accordingtoreports,thepolicebelievethemotiveforthemurdertobeawitnesselimination(“queimadearquivo”).Detailsofinvestigation:InJune2014,thepolicearrestedasuspectinconnectionwithPalma’smurder.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:AccordingtoafriendofPalma,thejournalisthadreportedreceivingthreats.However,thedelegateinchargeofthecaseisreportedtohavesaidthattherehadbeennoknownthreatsagainsthim.PanoramaRegionalreportedlyfrequentlydenouncedallegedcorruptionintheofficeofthemayorofMiguelPereira.PENAction:Mentionedinstatement22May2015

DécioSÁ:Profession:reporterforlocalnewspaperOEstadodoMaranhãoandbloggeratBlogdoDécioDateofdeath:23April2012Detailsofdeath:Sá(42)wasshotdeadinabarinwhatpolicesaidwasacontractkilling.Sá,whoreportedonpoliticsandcrime,wasshotsixtimesintheheadandback.AccordingtocolleaguesatOEstadodoMaranhão,Sá’sreporting,bothforhisnewspaperandforhisblog,hadmadehimseveralenemies.HisblogwasoneofthemostpopularinMaranhão.Detailsofinvestigation:ThepolicearrestedsevenpeopleinJune2012,includingabusinessman(aformerlocalcouncillor)andapoliceofficer.JhonatandeSouzaSilva,oneofthosearrested,reportedlyconfessedtothekilling.PolicebelievethatthemotiveforthekillingwasSá’sreporting,especiallyhisreportsonthebusinessman’sallegedconnectiontoloan-sharkingandracketeering.Thetrialof11suspectsbeganinlateJanuary2013.TheattorneygeneralofMaranhãoreportedlyclaimedthatthedefencefortheaccusedinSá’smurdertrialwasattemptingto“delaythecourseofproceedings”.Theaccusationcameinresponsetothedefence’srequestforanordertosuspendthereadingoftheaccusationson29January2013,onthegroundsthatithadnotbeengivenaccesstothecontentofthewiretapsusedbytheprosecution,aclaimwhichtheattorneygeneralhasdenied.Thedefence’srequestwasgrantedbythejudgeafteronlythreeofthe15accusationsscheduledforthedayhadbeenheard.On20February2013itwasreportedthattheprincipalwitnesstoSá’smurder,RicardoSantosSilva,haddiedafterbeingshotseventimesinasuspectedtargetedassassinationinJanuary2013.Hehadreportedlybeenduetogiveevidenceincourtshortlybeforehewasshot.Sevensuspectswerearrestedinconnectionwiththekillingofthewitness.MayorsandformermayorsofthemunicipalitiesofMaranhãowereexpectedtoappearincourtinMay2013toaidininvestigationsintotheirallegedconnectionwiththemoneylendersthoughttoberesponsibleforSá’smurder.On5February2014,ajuryinSaoLuisconvictedtwoof11peopleaccusedofSá’smurderfollowingatwo-daytrial.JhonatandeSouzaSilva,theconfessedgunman,wasreportedlysentencedto25yearsandthreemonthsinprison,whileMarcosBrunoOliveira,theallegeddriverofthemotorcycle,wassentencedto18yearsandthreemonthsinprison.Accordingtoreports,SouzaSilvachangedhistestimonyduringthetrialinwhichhehadpreviouslyclaimedthatanentrepreneur,RaimundoSalesAlvesChavesJunior,wasbehindthehit.Incourton4February2014,SouzaSilvareportedlytoldthejurythathewashiredbyadifferentmanandthatthepolicehadcoercedhimtonameRaimundoSalesAlvesChaves

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Juniorasthemastermindbythreateninghisfamily.MarcosBrunoOliveira’sdefenceisalsoreportedtoclaimthathewastorturedtoforcehimtoconfesstothecrime;Oliveirapleadednotguiltytothecharges.TheremainingninesuspectsincludedtheallegedmastermindofSá’smurder,membersofacriminalgang,andpoliceofficerswhoarereportedtohaveattendedmeetingsinwhichthemurderwasplanned.Alltheremainingsuspectswereawaitingtrial.On22August2014,oneoftheaccusedawaitingtrial,JosédeAlencarMirandaCarvalho(74),wasgrantedhousearrestinsteadofpreventativedetentionowingtohisill-health.Accordingto23April2015reports,theremainingdefendantshaveappliedtobetriedbeforeajury;theircourtdateswillbesetafteradecisionisreached.Accordingto2December2015reports,thecourtdecidedtodismissfiveoftheaccusedsuspects,includingthreepoliceofficers,fromthetrialduetolackofevidence.Update:On13April2016,MarcosBrunoOliveira,themotorcyclist,whohadsuccessfullyappealedhisfirstsentenceandhaditannulled,wassentencedto18yearsinprisonfollowingasecondtrial.Thetrialoftheothersuspectswason-goingasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN21/1225April2012

Ontrial

*LeonardoSAKAMOTOProfession:blogger,activist,founderoftheNGORepórterBrasilDetailsoftrial:SakamotoisbeingprosecutedforcriminaldefamationonthebasisofablogpostfromOctober2015,inwhichherevealsthenameofacompanythatisbeingprosecutedforslavelabour.HeincludedalinktoalistoftheMinistryofLabourandEmploymentcontainingcompaniesthathadbeentargetedfortherescueofworkersinslave-likeconditions.InNovember2015,hewasnotfoundguiltyonthegroundsthathepublishedpublicavailableinformationwiththeintentionofinformingsociety.However,theplaintiff,acompanycalledPinuscam–IndústriaeComérciodeMadeiraLtda,appealedtheruling.Theappealwaspendingasof30June2016.Ifconvicted,Sakaotocouldfaceaprisonsentence.Background:SakamotoalsoreceiveddeaththreatsinJanuary2016(seebelow)

Deaththreats

*LeonardoSAKAMOTOProfession:blogger,activist,founderoftheNGORepórterBrasilDateofharassment:Sakamotowasthetargetofsmearcampaigns,threatsandprosecutionin2015andearly2016.Detailsofthreats/harassment:On30January2016,thenewspaperEdiçãodoBrasilpublishedanentirelyfabricatedarticlewithaphotoofSakamotoassertingthathesaidthat‘retiredpeopleareuselesstosociety’.Followingthearticle,Sakamotoreportedlyreceivedanavalancheofhatemessagesincluding37deaththreatsonsocialmedia.HesaysthathenevergaveaninterviewtothenewspaperandthatsomeonemayhavetwistedandmadeassumptionsaboutoneofhisblogpostsdatedDecember2015ontheminimumwageandsocialinsurance.On2February2016,EdiçãodoBrasiladmittedthattheinterview,whichwasbasedonemailcorrespondence,wasnotrealandassumedthatthepersonwhosenttheanswersintendedtoharmthenewspaperaswellasSakamoto.However,asofMay2016,Sakamotowasstillreceivingthreats,includingthreatsofphysicalassault.HehasreportedthethreatstotheFederalPublicProsecutor’sOffice,whichhaspassedtheinvestigationontothepolice.On8April2016,OFolhadeSãoPaulopublishedanarticlerevealingthataninternetsmearcampaigntargetingSakamotoin2015(seeBackground

60

belowfordetails)hadbeensponsoredbyJBS,theworld’slargestmeatprocessingcompany.AccordingtoFolha,4Buzz,adigitalmarketingcompanywhichwascontractedbyJBSin2015,wasalsoinvolvedinthecampaign.Background:SakamotoisalsobeingprosecutedforcriminaldefamationonthebasisofablogpostfromOctober2015,inwhichherevealsthenameofacompanythatisbeingprosecutedforslavelabour(seeabove).In2015,paid-foradvertisementsonGooglewiththephrase‘LeonardoSakamotoLies’cameupasthefirstresultwhensearchingforSakamotoorhisblog.ThephrasewaslinkedtoablogarticleonthesiteFolhaPolítica.orgaccusinghimofcorruption.AccordingtoTheGuardian,thisarticleclaimedthatSakamotohadreceivedR$1million(approx.US$276,000)fromtheWorkersParty(PT)–thepartyofPresidentDilmaRousseff,currentlysuspendedandfacingimpeachment–inreturnforattackingtheoppositionandthat“RepórterBrasiltookthemoney‘tokissDilma[Rousseff]’sass’,andthattheNGO‘didnotcarryoutanyphysicalactivity’but‘burntthroughoverR$1mayearfromtheministryofhumanrights’”.Sakamoto’slawyerreportedlyrequestedacivilcourtinSãoPaulotoorderGoogletoreleaseinformationabouttheauthoroftheadverts.GooglerevealedthatJBShadorderedtheadvertsbutrefusedtorevealwhopaidforthemduetoclientconfidentiality.AnotherjudicialrequestshowedthatthemajorityoftheIPaddressesconnectedtotheadvertsbelongedto4Buzz,accordingtonewsreports.Bothcompanies,JBSand4Buzz,reportedlydenyanylinkstotheadverts.RepórterBrasilhasreportedonJBSseveraltimesinrelationtoallegedrightsabuses:inMarch2015theNGOreportedthatJBShadboughtcattlefromafamilyaccusedofmassivedeforestation,andinAugust2014itreportedonafinethatwasimposedonthecompanyforservingitsemployeesmaggot-infestedmeat.Otherinformation:RepórterBrasilwasfoundedin2001andisoneofthemostimportantsourcesofinformationaboutslavelabourinBrazil.Theorganisationreportedlyreceivedfundsofapprox.US$138,000overathree-yearperiodfromtheBrazilianMinistryofHumanRights,providedmostlybyinternationalagencies,includingtheInternationalLabourOrganisation(ILO).AccordingtotheGuardian,between2003and2014RepórterBrasilpublishedtheLabourMinistry’s‘dirtylists’onitswebsite,containingthenamesofBraziliancompaniesthathadbeenfinedforusingslavelabour.WhenthepublicationofthelistswassuspendedbyacourtorderfollowingalawsuitfiledbytheBrazilianRealEstateDevelopers’sAssociation(AssociaçãoBrasileiradeIncorporadorasImobiliárias-Abrainc),RepórterBrasilstartedpublishingitsownlistsexposingcompanieswhichhadbeenfinedforusingslavelabour.Attacked

*IvanPEREIRACOSTAProfession:directorofthenewswebsiteVejasNoticías(http://www.vejanoticias.com.br/)Dateofattack:4April2016Detailsofattack:Accordingtonewsreports,PereirawasshotseveraltimesbyanindividualonamotorbikeinfrontofhishouseinCujubim,Rondôniastate.PereiraandhiswifeEdiléiaSantos,whocontributestothewebsite,werespeakingtoaneighbourwhentheassailantarrivedandshotthejournalistinthearmandinthestomach.Pereirareportedlymanagedtorunawayandhidebeforebeingfoundbypolicemen,whotookhimtohospital.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,therearelandconflictsbetweenfarmersandlandlesspeasantsintheareaaroundCujubim.Pereirareportsabouttheseconflictsaswellasaboutorganisedcrimeintheregion.Santos,whoalsowritesfor

61

VejasNoticías,reportedlystatedsheandherhusbandhadbeenreceivinganonymoustelephonethreatssincethebeginningoftheyear.Threatened

*KennedySALOMÉLENKProfession:correspondentforthenewspaperMontanhasCapixabasDateofbirth:c.1964Dateofthreat:10March2016Detailsofthreat:Onthenightinquestion,twopeopleonamotorcycleshotseveraltimesatacarparkedinLenk’sgarageathishomeinAfonsoCláudio,EspíritoSantostate,accordingtonewsreports.Lenkandhisfamilywereasleepinsidethehouse.Otherinformation:Lenkalsoworksasapresenteratalocalradiostation.Accordingtonewsreports,hehadbeenwarnedbyfriendsinthepolicetobecarefulwithlocaldrugdealers,andhadalsobeenwarnedbypeopleindifferentneighbourhoodsinAfonsoCláudiothathe‘talkedtoomuch’ontheradioprogramme.Lenkreportedlycoverslocalcorruptionissuesandviolenceandseekssocialsupportforpeople.

Judicialharassment

*MarceloAULERProfession:bloggeratwww.marceloauler.com.brDateofharassment:30Marchand5May2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,twocourtordersimposedcensorshiponseveralofAuler’sarticlescriticisingfederalpoliceofficials.A30MarchjudgementthatfollowedarequestbyfederalinvestigatorErikaMialikMorenareportedlyorderedAulertotakedowntwoarticlespublishedearlierthatmonth.Inthearticles,AulerhadreportedlymentionedMialikMorena’sinvolvementinleakedinformationonthelargescalecorruptioninvestigationknownas‘OperationCarWash’.Thesecondjudgementdated5MayreportedlyorderedAulertoremoveeightarticlespublishedbetweenNovember2015andApril2016thatcriticisedtheinvestigatorMaurícioMoscardiGrillo,aswellasanallegedillegalwiretappingandhighrenovationcostsforoneoftheFederalPoliceUnits.Aulerwasalsosubjectedtopriorcensorship,viaaprohibitiononpublishinganyreportsthatcouldbeinterpretedasoffensivebyMoscardiinthefuture.Accordingtonewsreports,thejudgementswerehandeddownonapreliminarybasis,withouthearingAuler’sdefense.On13June,AulerwasreportedlypermittedtorepublishthecensoredarticlesonMoscardiandisnolongersubjecttopriorcensorshipwithregardstotheinvestigator.Anerrorwasreportedlydetectedandtheoriginaljudgeshouldnothaveheardthecase,asthehomeaddressofthecomplainantbelongedtoanareaservedbyadifferentcourt.*RogérioGALINDO*EuclidesLUCASGARCIA*ChicoMARÉSProfession:journalistsforthenewspaperGazetadoPovoDateofharassment:SinceMarch2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,Galindo,GarciaandMarés,aswellasacomputergraphicsartistandasystemsanalyst,wereaccusedofmoraldamagesbymembersofthejudiciaryinthestateofParaná.Thirty-sevenlawsuitsseekingatotalofR$1.3million(approx.USD384,000)indamageshavereportedlybeenfiledagainstthejournalistsindifferentcitiesinParaná.Asof9June,theyhadhadtotravelaround3,700milestoattendthedifferenthearings.Galindoreportedlystatedthattheintentionwastounderminetheirworkbymakingthemtravelaroundthestateandthatthehearingshad

62

becomemorestrainedsinceapetitiontotheSupremeCourtfiledbyGazetadoPovoinordertomergethelawsuitswasrejected.Background:InFebruary2016GazetadoPovopublishedaseriesofarticlesdisclosingtheincomeofjudgesandprosecutorsinParaná.Thereportsshowedthattheaverageincomeofthejudgesexceededtheconstitutionalceilingby28percentwhiletheaverageincomeofprosecutorswas23percentabovetheceiling,astheyaddedadditionalpaymentssuchasaid,compensationandbackpay.Anotherreportstatedthattheaveragegrosssalaryofjudgeshadincreasedby77.5percentintheyearbetweenDecember2014toDecember2015.Anaudiofile,publishedbythebloggerZéBeto,revealedthatthepresidentoftheAssociationofJudgesofParaná(AssociaçãodosMagistradosParanaenses-Amapar),FredericoMendesJúniorhadsuggestedthefilingofindividuallawsuitsusingamodelforthecomplaints.Accordingtoanewsreport,AmaparandtheParanenseAssociationofPublicProsecution(AssociaçãoParanensedoMinistérioPúblico-APMP)publishedanotesayingthatthesalariesmentionedinthereportsofGazetadoPovowerenotcustomaryandthefactspublishedinthearticleweredistorted,astheamountswerenotaboutamonthlysalary,subjecttotheconstitutionalceiling,butaboutcompensationsornon-timelypaymentsofamountsdueinthepast.InformationaboutthesalariesofjudgesandprosecutorsismadepubliclyavailableontheTransparencyPortalbythefederalgovernment.Accordingtonewsreports,thehearingsweretemporarilysuspendedon30June2016byaFederalSupremeCourtjudge,whoconsideredthatallowingthethelegalprocessestocontinuecouldresultinpersonalandfinancialinjurytothejournalists.ThehearingswillbereportedlysuspendeduntilthecourtconsidersthemeritofacomplaintissuedbyGazetadoPovoaboutthenumberofcasesfiledagainstit.SentencedJoséCristianGÓES:Profession:journalistandbloggerSentence:Sevenmonthsand16daysinprisoncommutedtocommunityserviceDetailsoftrial:InDecember2012,ahighcourtjudgeinSergipestatebroughtcivilandcriminalproceedingsagainstthejournalistforlibelanddefamationfollowingthepublicationofashortfictionalstoryonhisblogon29May2012.Góeswasconvictedofslanderon4July2013andsentencedtosevenmonthsand16daysinprison.Hisprisontermwaslatercommutedtocommunityserviceforwhichheshouldserveonehourperdayforthedurationofthesentence,accordingtoa9July2013report.InJanuary2013,aprosecutorforthePublicMinistryreportedlyfiledadditionalcriminalchargesagainstGóesinrelationtohisstory,proposingthatGóespaytheequivalentofthreeminimumwagesordothreemonths’communityservice.Góesrefusedtocomplyonthegroundsthathedidnotbelievethathehadcommittedacrime;asaresult,theprosecutorfiledthecriminalcharges.AccordingtoDecember2014reports,Góeswasorderedtopay30,000Reals(approx.US$11,300)incompensationformoraldamagestojudgeEdsonUlisses,vicepresidentoftheSergipeJusticeTribunalinNovember2014.ThedecisionwasreportedlypendingappealbeforetheFederalSupremeCourtasofApril2016.Nofurtherinformationas30June2016.Background:WhilstGóes’fictionalstorymockingnepotismandcorruptioninlocalpoliticsiswritteninthefirstpersonandnonamesordateswerementioned,thejudgeconcernedbelievedthatthestorydefamedhisbrother-in-law,thegovernorofSergipe;thegovernorhimselfhasnotfiledcharges.Otherinformation:TheBrazilianNationalFederationofJournalists(FederaçãoNacionaldosJornalistas,FENAJ)filedacomplaintagainstthecriminalproceedings.

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CANADA

Judicialharassment

*BenMAKUCHProfession:journalistforthemagazineViceDateofharassment:29March2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtoanewsreport,MakuchwasorderedbytheOntarioSuperiorCourtofJusticetohandoverthecommunicationshehadhadwithFarahShirdon,aCanadiancitizenwhoallegedlytraveledtoIraqandSyriatojointheIslamicStategroup.Background:BetweenJuneandOctober2014,MakuchhadreportedlywrittenseveralarticlesaboutShirdonforVice.On13February2015,securityofficialsobtainedaproductionorder,requiringMakuchtohandoverallcommunicationshehadwithShirdonviatheKikmessagingserviceandtorevealinformationabouthowhegotincontactwithhim,accordingtoanewsreport.InSeptember2015,Shirdonwaschargedinabsentiawithparticipationinaterroristgroupandinterroristactivity.ViceandMakuchreportedlyexpressedconcernsaboutthechillingeffecttheordermighthaveonmediafreedomandstatedthattheorderwasanattempttoobtaininformationthatthepolicecouldhavegotthroughothermeans.Accordingtonewsreports,JudgeIanMacDonellclaimedthatthepolicehadreasontobelievethecommunicationsbetweenMakuchandShirdonwouldsupporttheirinvestigationsandthattheinformationwasnotoff-the-recordorobtainedfromaconfidentialsourceOn29April2016,itwasreportedthatViceappealedagainstthelegalorder.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

CHILE

Sentenced

BrunoSOMMERCATALÁN,profession:journalist,poetanddirectoroftheweeklynewspaperElCiudadanoSebastiánLARRAÍNSAA,profession:directoroftheweeklynewspaperElCiudadanoSentence:18monthsinprison,suspended(remisióncondicional).Detailsoftrial:On11June2015,theSupremeCourtofChilerejectedanappealfromElCiudadano’sdirectorstochallengethesuspendedsentencehandeddowntotheminApril2015,accordingtotheAssociationofJournalistsofChile.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016.Background:On27August2013,ElCiudadanopublishedaninterviewwithaformeremployeeofMiodragMarinovic,abusinessmanandformerrepresentativefromPuntaArenas.Intheinterview,titled“ElPatróndelMal”(TheEvilBoss)RodrigoCalixtosaidhewasorderedbyMarinovictocommitmultipleillegalacts.Shortlyafterpublicationoftheinterview,thedirectorsofElCiudadanoreceivedalawsuitfromMarinovicaccusingthemofdefamation(injuriasgraves).AccompanyingthesuitwasanotarizeddocumentfromCalixto‘notingthatheretractedhiswordsanddidnotauthorizethepublication,thathehadgiventheinterviewinanalteredpsychologicalstate,butthatitwastoolate,thenewspaperhadbeenprintedanddistributed.’

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COLOMBIA

AccordingtotheBogotá-basedFoundationoftheFreedomofthePress(FLIP),2015saw147attackson232journalistsinthecountry–includingthemurderoftwobroadcasters–a39percentincreaseonthepreviousyear.Colombia’sstate-runjournalistprotectionprogramme,setupin2000andoftencitedasamodelforsuchschemesintheregion,isincreasinglycomingundercriticismforoverspendingandfailingtoprotectjournalistseffectivelyandequally,amongothers.Atotalof115journalistshavebeenkilledinColombiasince1977,reportsFLIP;inonlyfourofthesecaseshavetheindividualswhoorderedthedeathsbeenconvicted.

Killed:impunity

DoranceHERRERA:Profession:journalistforlocalmonthlyRegiónaldiaandjournalismstudentDateofdeath:23November2015Detailsofkilling:Accordingtolocalpressreports,twounidentifiedmenshotHerrera(28)deadashewasleavinghissister´shomeinthecityofCaucasia,Antioquiadepartment,withafellowuniversitystudent,whowasalsokilledintheattack.Herrerahadreportedlypostedonsocialmediathathehadreceiveddeaththreatspriortohismurder.Detailsofinvestigation:Localpressreportsstatedthaton25November2015themayorofCaucasiaannouncedarewardof30millionpesos(approx.US$8,825)foranyonewhoprovidesinformationleadingtothecaptureofthoseresponsibleforHerrera’smurder.Aninvestigationintothekillingwaslaunched;nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:HerrerawrotefortwomediaoutletsinCaucasiaandisunderstoodtohavereportedoncriminalgangsoperatinginthearea.Hewasalsoknownforundertakingpoliticalandsocialprojects.

GuillermoQUIROZDELGADO:

Profession:freelancejournalistandcontributortothedailynewspaperElMeridianoDateofdeath:27November2012Detailsofdeath:Quiroz(31)diedofaheartattackinahospitalinSincelejo,Sucredepartment;hehadspentaweekinintensivecareafteranaltercationwithpolice.Quirozwasarrestedon20November2012whilecoveringaprotestagainstanenergycompanyinSanPedro,onthegroundsthathismotorcycledocumentswerenotinorder.AccordingtoaninterviewwithQuirozon21November2012,hewasputintoapolicevehicle,thenbeatenandthrownfromthemovingvehicle.Thepolicedeniedthisaccount,statinginsteadthatQuirozhadjumpedfromthevehicleinordertoavoidarrest.Hesufferedsevereinjuries,particularlytothehead,andsubsequentlylapsedintoacoma,beforedyingofaheartattackon27November2012.Detailsofinvestigation:Threeofficerspresentinthevehicleatthetimeoftheincidentwereinvestigated.AccordingtoQuiroz’colleagues,thejournalistsaidthatthepolicehadtoldhimhewastargetedbecauseofhisnewscoverage.HehadpreviouslyreportedoncasesofpolicebrutalityinSanPedroaswellasonthetheftofcattlethatwerelaterfoundonafarmownedbyaformerSanPedropolitician.QuirozhadreportedlyreceivedadeaththreatonhismobiletelephoneinOctober2012,whichhereportedtothepoliceandthelocalofficeoftheAttorneyGeneral.AdisciplinaryhearingofpoliceofficerJorgeDavidPérezContrerasfor‘involuntarymanslaughter’tookplaceon4February2013.Theofficercouldbechargedwithfailingtotakethenecessarystepstoguaranteethesafetyofthedetainedreporterduringhistransportationtothepolice

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station.PérezattemptedtosuetheInternalAffairsofficeinJune2013;however,hiscasewasdismissed.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

Abduction

*SaludHERNÁNDEZ-MORA(f)Profession:author,journalistfortheBogotánewspaperElTiempoandcorrespondentfortheMadridnewspaperELMundoDateofdisappearance:21May2016Dateofrelease:27May2016Detailsofabduction:Accordingtonewsreports,Hernández-MoradisappearedfromthevillageofElTarra,Catatumboregion,NortedeSantanderstate,innorthernColombia,on21May,afterfollowinganunidentifiedmanwhohadapproachedherinamotorcycletaxi.Hernández-MorawasreportingonhumanrightsandillegaldrugtraffickinginnorthernColombiawhenshewentmissing.AccordingtothelocalfreedomofexpressionorganisationFoundationforPressFreedom(FundaciónparalaLibertaddelaPrensa–FLIP),shehadbeencoveringthecocainetrade,thedeathofaguerrillaleaderknownasMegateo,thecaseofanarmyofficerwhohadbeenimprisonedforkillingalocalfarmeraswellasaprotestinElTarraon21Mayoverthedisappearanceoftwolocalresidents.Detailsofrelease:Sixdayslater,on27May,individualswhoidentifiedthemselvesasmembersoftheNationalLiberationArmy(ELN)guerrillagrouphandedthejournalistovertotheparishpriestofSanCalixtoenOcaña,NortedeSantanderdepartment,andofficialsfromtheombudsmen’soffice.ELNhadpreviouslyrefusedtoconfirmthatitwasholdingthejournalist.InaninterviewwithElTiempoon29May,thejournalistconfirmedthatshewaskidnappedafterbeingapproachedandagreeingtomeetELNcommandersforwhatshethoughtwouldbeaninterview.Shesaidthatalthoughshehadbeenfrequentlymovedaroundtoavoiddetectionshehadbeenwelltreated.Otherinformation:TwojournalistsforRCNTVwhowentmissingwhileinvestigatingHernández-Mora’sdisappearance,reporterDiegoD’PablosandcameramanCarlosMelo,werealsoreleasedtoadelegationledbyCatholicpriestsafewhoursafterherreleaseon27May.Background:TheELN,whichreportedlyhasaround1,200fighters,hadbeenduetocommencenegotiationswiththeColombiangovernmentaspartofawiderongoingpeaceprocesstoendthecountry’sdecades-longconflict.However,shortlybeforethekidnappings,thegroup’sleaderrejectedPresidentJuanManuelSantos’demandsthatitreleaseallitshostagesasapre-conditiontothetalks.Colombiahasalonghistoryofimpunityforviolenceagainstjournalists.PENAction:statementonkidnapping26May2016;statementonrelease31May2016

Ontrial

AngyeGAONA(f):Profession:poet,culturalworkerandstudentDateofarrest:13January2011Dateofrelease:21May2011Detailsofarrest:ShewasarrestedinCucuta,NortedeSantanderdepartment,neartheborderwithVenezuela,anddetainedatBuenPastorPrisoninCucutafor93days-threedaysafterthemaximum90-dayperiodduringwhichshecouldbelegallyheldwithoutcharge.Gaona’ssupportersclaimedtherealreasonforherarrestwasheroutspokensupportforthedemandsofalabourunioninthedistrictwhereshelives.Herdetentionhasbeenlinkedtothatofthreeotherstudentactivistsintheregion,JuliánAldoniDomínguez,WilliamRiveraRuedaandAracelyCañaveralVélez.ThearrestsreportedlytookplaceinthecontextofawaveofattacksagainsthumanrightsdefendersintheSantander

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region,includingattemptedassassinationsandforceddisappearancesanddeaththreats,andagainstinformaleconomyworkersaffiliatedtotheColombianTradesUnionCongress(CentralUnitariadeTrabajadores,CUT)inBucaramanga.Itisfearedthatthearrestswereintendedtosilencetheirlegitimatehumanrightsactivism.Detailsofrelease:releasedonbailwithoutformalchargeinMay2011Detailsoftrial:shewaschargedwith“aggravatedconspiracyfordrugtraffickingandrebellion”atahearinginCartagenaon23May2011,twodaysafterherrelease;herlawyerattendedbutGaonawasnotobligedtoappearincourt.ThearrestwarrantagainstherhadnotyetbeenrevokedandtheAttorneyGeneralhadappealedherreleaseorder.Gaonadeniesthechargesandmaintainsthatthecaseagainstherisaset-upandisduetoherleft-wingpoliticalsympathies.Shesaysshewasnotinterrogatedonceduringherthreemonths’detention,andalsoquestionsthefactthatshewasdetainedinCucutawhenthecasehasbeenbroughtinCartagena,morethan400kmaway.Hertrialbeganon15February2012,inCartagena.Thereareconcernsaroundthefairnessofhertrial.Gaonamaintainsthatshehasbeendepictedasaterroristbythepress,thatwitnessesagainstherareformermembersofthearmedforces,andthattheprosecutionisusingfalserecordingsofallegedlyincriminatingtelephoneconversationsasevidenceagainsther.HerdefencedenythatitisGaona’svoiceintherecordingsandhavecomplainedthattheAttorneyGeneralhadnotmadepublicalltheevidenceagainsther,aviolationofdueprocess.InSeptember2015,Gaonareportedthat–afterresortingtoapproachingthepolicedirectly–shefinallymanagedtogetthearrestwarrantagainsthercancelled,threeyearsafterherconditionalrelease.Asaresultshecannowtravelfreelywithinthecountry.Thelegalcaseagainsthercontinuedalthoughwithnoprogressreportedduetotherepeatedpostponementofhearings.Gaonabelievesthatthedelaysaredueinparttoalackofdedicatedlegalrepresentationinhercase.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:BorninBucaramangaon21May1980,Gaona’spoemshavebeenpublishedinanthologiesandotherprintandinternetpublicationsinColombiaandabroad.In2009shepublishedherfirstbook,NacimientoVolátil(VolatileBirth)(EditorialRizoma).UntilherdetentionastudentoflanguagesandliteratureattheUniversidadIndustrialdeSantander,Bucaramanga,GaonaisaformerorganiseroftheMedellínInternationalPoetryFestivalandin2001organisedtheInternationalExhibitionofExperimentalPoetry,alsoinMedellín.Priortoherarrest,sheorganisedpoetryeventsinBucaramanga.Sheisalsosaidtoworkasajournalistforcommunitymedia.Gaonaisthemotherofayoungchild.JuanEstebanMEJÍA:Profession:CorrespondentforSemanamagazineDetailsoftrial:Mejiawasreportedlychargedwithdefamation(injuria)bytheattorneygeneralon16June2015inconnectionwithanarticlepublishedbySemanainOctober2011,whichdetailedallegedmedicalnegligence.Ifconvicted,hecouldfacebetween16and54monthsinprison.On11July2015,Semanapublishedanarticlestatingthatthe2011articleinquestionhadsufferededitingerrorsnotattributabletoMejía,thustheoreticallyfreeinghimfromanylegalorjournalisticresponsibilityforthearticle.Despitethis,30September2015reportssuggestthatMejíawasawaitingformalchargesbytheprosecutionandwouldsoonappearincourtforaninitialhearing.Itisunclearwhetheraformaltrialhadbegunasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,Mejiaclaimsthathisreportwaswronglyeditedtosuggestthattheplasticsurgeoninquestiondidnothaveamedicallicense.

Threatened

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YohirAKERMAN:Profession:formercolumnistforElColombianoDateofthreat:29March2016Detailsofthreat:Accordingtoalocalnewsreport,on29March2016SenatorÁlvaroUribeVélez–formerPresidentofColombia–accusedAkermanonTwitterofbeinga‘fadedmilitantoftheELN[guerrillagroup]’andthathewas‘seekingfame’throughhim.ThisattempttoassociateAkermanwithanillegalarmedgroup–whichcouldmakehimvulnerabletoattack–followedacolumnthatAkermanpublishedinthenewspaperElEspectadoron26Marchentitled‘Associateno.82’(ElasociadoNo.82).Inthearticle,Akermanrefersto104peoplewhohadbeenlinkedtotheMedellíncartelbytheUSDefenseIntelligenceAgency(DIA)in1991,notingthatUribewasnumber82onthelist.Previousharassment:On17February2015,AkermanwasreportedlyfiredasacolumnistforElColombianoafterhecriticisedGodandthebibleforrejectinghomosexualityinoneofhiscolumns,entitled‘Enfermos’(TheIll).ThecolumninquestioncameinresponsetoareportbyLaSabanaUniversitythatclassifiedhomosexualityasanillness.Inhiscolumn,AkermancriticisedtheuniversityandtheConstitutionalCourtforcontinuingtodefinehomosexualityasanillnessortreatingtheLesbian,Gay,Bisexual,Transsexual,QueerandIntersex(LGBTQI)communityasabnormalbecauseoftheteachingsofthebible.Usingcitationsfromthebible,hedemonstratesthatpublicopinionhasprogressedbeyonditsteachings,suchasdemandingthestoningofwomenwholosetheirvirginitybeforemarriageordisobedientsons.*JavierOSUNAProfession:freelancejournalist,author,journalistfortheportalverdadabierta.comDateofthreat:April2016Detailsofthreat:Accordingtoan11May2016newsreportbyReportersWithoutBorders,Osunahadbeenthetargetofinformationthefts,break-inattemptsathisofficeandactsofintimidationbymenonmotorcycleswhilehewasdrivingsincethebeginningoftheyear.AUSBstickandamobilephonethathereceivedasprotectionprecautionarymeasuresfromtheNationalProtectionUnit(UnidadNacionaldeProtección-UNP)hadreportedlybeenstolenandthelockstohisofficehadbeenforcedopened.Moreover,heallegedseveralirregularitiesinvolvingtheUNP,whichischargedwithprotectingOsuna.InApril2016,thejournalistrequestedthathisbodyguardbereplacedonthegroundsofsuspectedlinkstoparamilitarygroups.Accordingtoalocalnewsreport,Osunasaidthatthebodyguardhadtakenphotosofhisactivitiesandtheplaceshewentto,askedhimquestionsabouttheparamilitarybosseshewasinvestigatingaspartofhisjournalisticwork,andclaimedtoknowthesebossesfromhismilitaryservice.ThebodyguardreportedlyfoundoutaboutOsuna’srequesttohavehimreplacedbyillicitmeans.TheUNPreportedlyrejectedanalternativebodyguardproposedbyOsunaasatrustedperson,andprovidedhimwithanotherbodyguardwithoutexplainingtheappointmentprocess.Accordingtonewsreports,on2May2016anotherpolicebodyguardofOsuna’sreceivedthreateningphonecallsandemailssummoningthemtoappearatatrialallegedlytakingplaceatthesametimeasaUNPmeetingthatOsunawasduetoattend.Background:Osunahasreportedlybeenthetargetofintimidationandphonetappingforyears.HehasbeenunderUNPprotectionsinceAugust2014whenhiscomputerwassetonfireinsidehishome.Otherinformation:OsunaistheauthorofthebookMehablarásdelfuego,publishedinSeptember2015,onthecremationofvictimsbytheUnitedSelfDefenseForces(AutodefensasUnidasdeColombia–AUC)inthestateofNortedeSantander.In2009,hereceivedthenationalSímonBolívarjournalismawardfortheinvestigativearticle‘Thesilencedpress’(‘Laprensasilenciada’),publishedonverdadabierta.com,aboutthe

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murderofjournalistsbyparamilitaryforces.Healsoreceivedthenationaljournalismawardofthejournalists’circleofBogotáforhisworkasacorrespondentforverdadabierta.cominBogotácoveringthejusticeandpeaceprocesswiththeparamilitaryforces.Harassed

*GermánCORCHO:

Profession:journalistforthenewspaperElHeraldoDateofharassment:13April2016Detailsofharassment:AccordingtoareportbytheColombianfreedomofexpressionorganisationFundaciónparalaLibertaddelaPrensa(FLIP),CorchowaspressuredandintimidatedbytheformermayorofPalmardeVarela,Atlánticostate,GaldinoOrozco,inanattempttopreventhimfrompublishinganarticleabouthim.CorchohadreportedlyrequestedacopyofasentencehandeddowntoOrozcofromtheFirstPenalCourtofthemunicipalityofSoledad,which,accordingtoFLIP,orderedaninvestigationagainstOrozcoasasuspectinthemurderofthelawyerofhispredecessor,RafaelÁngelFontalvo.AfterCorchohadreceivedthecopyofthesentence,hegotincontactwithOrozcotoaskhispointofview;Orozcoreportedlystatedthatheexpectedtheinvestigationagainsthimduetohisopponents’testimonyinthecase.AccordingtoFLIP,OrozcocalledCarchoonehourlaterandthreatenedtosuehimandElHeraldoiftheypublishedinformationonthecase.HealsoaccusedCorchoofhavingreceivedmoneyinexchangeforpublishinginformationonthesentence.

Judicialharassment*MarcoSCHWARTZProfession:directorofthenewspaperElHeraldoDateofharassment:10June2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,ajudgeinBarranquillasentencedSchwartztothreeday’sdetentionandafineforallegedcontemptofarectificationorder.Background:InJune2015,ElHeraldoreportedlypublishedanarticleabouttheopeningofapreliminaryinquirybyseveraljudicialofficersinalegalprocessthatforcedthemayorofBarranquillatomakeextrapaymentstoretirees.Accordingtonewsreports,twojudgesoftheHighCourtofBarranquillawhowerementionedinthearticledemandedacorrectionfromthenewspaper.ElHeraldoreportedlypublishedanotherarticleinwhichthejudgesexplainedtheirpointofviewandtheirroleinthedecisionthatledtothelegalprocess.Thejudgesreportedlyfiledalawsuitdemandingacorrectionthatwasmuchbroaderthantheoriginalarticle.Accordingtothenewspaper,despiteitpublishingthecorrectionrequested,oneofthejudgesreportedlyproceededtofileamotionforcontempt.CUBAImprisoned:investigation

YoenísdeJesúsGUERRAGARCÍA:Profession:independentbloggerwithYayboPressagency.Sentence:sevenyearsinprisonDateofarrest:October2013Detailsoftrial:GuerrawasreportedlysentencedbyacourtinSanctiSpírituson13March2014onchargesuncleartoPEN.Somemediareportshavesuggestedhewasconvictedoftheftandkillingofanimals.Accordingtonewsreports,Guerraclaimsthathehasbeentargetedforhiscriticismofthe

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governmentinhiswritingsandhisdefenceofhumanrights.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Placeofdetention:NievesMorejónPrisonConditionsofdetention:Guerrahasreportedlybeentherepeatedvictimoftreatmentamountingtotorturebyprisonstaff.Healthconcerns:Guerraisreportedtosufferfromanxietyattacksrelatedtohistreatmentinprison.Background:GuerraisreportedlyalsoamemberoftheCouncilofRapporteursonHumanRightsinCuba(ConsejodeRelatoresdeDerechosHumanosdeCuba–CRDHC)andareporterfortheBoletínVozAvileña.JoséAntonioTORRES:Profession:correspondentforthegovernmentnewspaperGranma.Sentence:14yearsinprisonandthewithdrawalofhisuniversitydegreeinjournalismDateofarrest:February2011.Detailsofarrest:TorreswasarrestedafterwritingarticlesaboutthemismanagementofanaqueductprojectinSantiagodeCubaandtheinstallationoffibre-opticcablebetweenVenezuelaandCuba.Currentplaceofdetention:AdetentioncentreinSantiagodeCubaDetailsoftrial:Inmid-June2012,followingaclosedtrial,Torreswasreportedlyconvictedofespionageandsentencedto14yearsinprisonandthewithdrawalofhisuniversitydegreeinjournalism.On16November2012itwasreportedthatTorreshadappealedagainsthisconviction,butfearedthathissentencecouldbeincreasedasaresult.Accordingto23March2015reports,changestothetermsofTorres’imprisonmentwillnowallowhimtoworkandtovisithishome.Afterbeinginformedthathewastobeplacedundera“minimumseverityregime”on9March2015,TorreswastransferredfromBoniatoprisontoadetentioncentreinSantiagodeCuba.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Torres’5,000-wordarticleonthemismanagementoftheaqueductproject,publishedinJuly2010,wasreportedlypraisedbyPresidentRaúlCastro,whowroteinGranmathat“thisisthespiritthatshouldcharacterisethe(Communist)Partypress:transparent,criticalandself-critical.”Hisreportonthefibre-opticcablewaspublishedfourmonthslater.TorresnotedinneutraltermsthattheVicePresidentRamiroValdéswasresponsibleforsupervisingbothprojects.Cuba’sstate-runmediahasmadeonlyafewbriefreferencestoTorres’case.A2015articlebasedonlettersandinterviewswithTorreshasclarifiedthathehadwrittentotheUSInterestssectioninHavanaseekingameetinginwhichhewouldoffer‘sensitiveinformation’onseveralissues.However,hehasalsosaidthatheinfacthadnosuchinformationandhehadplannedarusetogetbackattheauthoritiesforaninjusticetohiswife.ThearticlealsosaysthatamonggovernmentcirclestherearepersistentrumoursthattherealreasonforTorres’arrestwashiscriticalarticleandthatthelettertotheUSInterestssectionwasanexcusetoputhimbehindbars.PENPosition:Torreshasbeenmovedtothecategoryofinvestigationpendingfurtherinvestigationoftherealreasonbehindhisimprisonment.PENActions:RAN09/13Briefdetention*RaúlLuisRISCOPÉREZProfession:independentjournalistandexecutivedirectoroftheCubanInstituteforFreedomofExpressionandthePress(InstitutoCubanoporlaLibertaddeExpresiónyPrensa-ICLEP).Dateofarrest:18April2016Dateofrelease:21April2016Detailsofarrest:RiscowasarrestedathishomeinPinardelRioprovinceDetailsofrelease:Hewasreleasedthreedayslater,on21April2016.Hewasbannedfromleavinghishomeprovinceforthedurationofthecriminalinvestigationagainsthimexpectedtotake20days.Detailsoftrial:Risco’s

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arrestfollowedacomplaintthathehadverballythreatenedanotherperson.Ifconvicted,hecouldbesentencedtouptooneyearinprisonorafineunderArticle284.1oftheCubanCriminalCode.AccordingtoICLEP,theauthoritieshaverefusedtoprovideRiscowithachargesheetorwrittendetailsaboutthecrimeofwhichheisaccused.Asaresult,hedoesnotknowtheidentityofthepersonwhohasaccusedhim,whoisknownas‘Yohenny’,accordingtoonepoliceinvestigator.Riscodeniesthechargesandfoureyewitnesseshavereportedlyalsodeniedthathethreatenedanybody.On21April,RiscolodgedanofficialcomplaintwiththeNationalRevolutionaryPolicethathehadbeenfalselyaccused,underArticles154and158oftheCriminalCode.Inthecomplaint,RiscosaysthatallhehaddonewastoaskwhysomeonewasphotographingandvideoinghimwhilehewasdeliveringthenewspapersthatICLEPproduces.Accordingtohisstatement,Riscotoldthispersonthatiftheyplannedtohandthephotosandvideosovertostatesecurityagentshehadnothingtofearashehadbeendoingthisworkforoverfouryears.On11May2016,Riscowasofficiallyinformedthatthecomplaintlodgedagainsthimhadbeenwithdrawn.Herequestedacopyoftheresolutionfromthepolicebuttheyrefused,citingInteriorMinistryOrderNo.13.HefiledacomplaintwiththePinardelRíomunicipalityprosecutor’sofficethesameday.Background:AccordingtoICLEP,Riscohasfacedpreviouspersecutioninconnectionwithhisworkfortheorganisation,includingbeingarrestedinAugust2014andJanuary2016,beingpreventedfromtravellingtotestifybeforetheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentioninAugust2014andreceivingdeaththreatsinJune2014.ICLEPisanNGOsetupin2012topromotecommunityandcitizenjournalisminCubawiththeaimofempoweringcitizenstoimprovetheirconditions.ItwasfoundedbyCubanindependentjournalistNormandoHernándezGonzález,aformerPENmaincase,HonoraryMemberofEnglishPENandPENAmericanCenter,andrecipientofthe2007PEN/BarbaraGoldsmithFreedomtoWriteAwardfromPENAmericanCenter.RiscoandHernándezreportedlygottoknoweachotherwhileinprison.AstheexecutivedirectorofICLEP,RiscohashelpedtoorganizeeightindependentnewspapersbasedoncitizenjournalismineightdifferentprovincesinCuba.ICLEPreportsincreasedrepressioninrecentmonths.InearlyApril2016,theorganisationreportedthatitscontributorshadbeensubjectedtoarrests,threatsandconfiscationoftheircomputers,printers,telephonesandflashdrives.ÁngelSANTIESTEBANPRATS

Profession:award-winningwriterandauthoroftheblog‘TheChildrenWhoNobodyLoved’(‘LosHijosqueNadieQuiso’)Dateofdetention:13June2016Dateofrelease:15June2016Detailsofdetention:Accordingtoalocalnewsreport,SantiestebanwasheldatthepolicestationinZapataandtheauthoritiestoldhimthatanaccusationhadbeenagainsthimoriginatingfromtheIsleofYouth(IsladelaJuventud)butdidnotrevealfurtherdetails.Hewasthenreleasedwithoutanyformalchargesbeingbroughtagainsthim.Background:Santiestebanwaspreviouslysentencedtofiveyearsinprisonon8December2012forallegedassaultandtrespassing.Conditionallyreleasedon17July2015,heisnowonparole.(Forfulldetailsofthiscasesee2015CaseList).SantiestebanwasalsodetainedovernightbystatesecurityforcesinHavanaon4November2015andwasreleasedwithoutchargethenextday.Themotivesforhisarrestwereunclear:somepolicesourcesreportedlyclaimedthathewassuspectedofarmedrobbery,whileothersourcesstatedthathewasviolatingthetermsofhisparole.Otherinformation:SanitestebanisamemberoftheofficialUnionofWritersandArtistsofCuba(UnióndeEscritoresyArtistasdeCuba-UNEAC).On20July

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2015,hepublishedhislatestbookÚltimaSinfonía,acollectionofshortstoriesonviolenceinCubawrittenwhilehewasinprison.Santiestebanhaswonanumberofawardsforhiswriting.PENActions:RAN09/13Honorarymember:SwedishPEN

*LazároYuriVALLEROCAProfession:blogger(http://yurielconteston.blogspot.co.uk/)andactivistDateofarrest:20March2016Dateofrelease:24March2016Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,VallewasarrestedwhenhewasattemptingtocoveraprotestbytheprotestgroupLadiesinWhite.Vallewasaskedbyamanwhoclaimedtobeaplainclothesofficertoshowhisidentification,whichVallerefusedtodounlesstheofficerwouldshowhisidentificationaswell.Hewasthenreportedlyapprehendedbyagroupofmen,whobeathimandtookhiminhandcuffstothepolicestation.Thereasongivenforhisarrestwasthathehadallegedlyattackedanofficial.Vallewasnotchargedbutwaswarnedthathecouldfaceaprisonsentenceifheisarrestedagain,accordingtonewsreports.Background:ValleRocaalsorunsaYouTubechannel(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHr0qm-9-LZ_SZjNkIEv4Q).

GUATEMALA

Killed:impunityJaimeNapoleónJARQUÍNDUARTE:Profession:journalistforNuevoDiarionewspaperDateofdeath:20March2013.Detailsofdeath:Jarquín(63)wasplayingcardsonthestreetwithfriendsinCiudadPedrodeAlvarado,Jutiapa,whenunidentifiedgunmengotoutofafarmvehicleandopenedfire,killingthejournalistandwoundingtwoofhiscompanions.Policeindicatedthattheattackersremainunidentifiedandthatthemotiveforthekillingwasstillunknown.ColleaguesofthejournalisthavesuggestedthatJarquínhadnotreportedreceivinganythreats.On30June2014,policereportedlyarresteda23-year-oldmaninconnectionwithJarquín’smurderfollowingtheissuanceofanarrestwarranton19June2014.ThemanisthoughttobeamemberofagangofhitmenknownasCristoNegro.Heisalsoreportedlyimplicatedinthemurderoftheex-governorofJutiapa,LuisAlbertoLemusRuano.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekingtoconfirmthataninvestigationintothekillingisstillon-going.Background:Jarquínwasaformerprofessorwhojoinedthepaperthreeyearspriortohisdeath.Hewasthefounderofacommitteetocreateanewmunicipalityandaconsultantforvariouspoliticalcandidatesvyingforthelocalmayor’sposition.NuestroDiarioisknownforitscoverageofcrimeandviolenceinGuatemala.PENActions:RAN13/13

DaniloLÓPEZ:Profession:correspondentforPrensaLibrenewspaperDateofdeath:10March2015Detailsofdeath:LópezwasshotdeadalongsideRadioNuevoMundocorrespondentFedericoSalazarinMazatenango,Suchitepéquezbytwomenonamotorbike.MarvinTúnchez,areporterforcableTVstationÓptimo23,wasreportedlyinjuredduringtheshootingintheCentralPark.Lópezdiedatthescene.Detailsofinvestigation:Thelocalpolicearrestedoneoftwosuspectshoursafterthecrime,accordingtoreports.However,accordingtonewsreportsdated17March2015,theprosecutorinvestigatingthecasereceivedatelephonecallwarninghimnottocontinueinvestigatingLópez’death.HeisreportedtohaveaskedthatthecasebepassedontoMajorRiskunit.On

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26June2015,threemoresuspectswerereportedlyarrested,includingtwopoliceofficers.Accordingto19October2015reports,thejudgeinchargeofthecasedeclaredthatthetrialshadestablishedthatLópezwastheprimarytargetandthathismurderwasacontractkilling.Thetrial,aswellasinvestigationsintothemastermindofthekillings,wasbelievedtobeongoingasof31December2015.Update:Anothersuspectwasreportedlyarrestedon18January2016,butwasreleasedduetoalackofevidence,andon7February2016,itwasreportedthatinvestigationsagainstafurthersuspectwerebeinginitiated.On6March2016,itwasreportedthatthecasehadbeentransferredtotheOfficeoftheSpecialProsecutoragainstImpunity(FiscalíaEspecialcontralaImpunidad–Feci).Background:LópezhadworkedforPrensaLibreforeightyears,duringwhichtimehecoveredpolitics,currentaffairsandsports.Thenewspaperdescribedhimasbeingparticularlynoteworthyforhiscoverageofcorruptionandfinancialmismanagementonthepartoflocalofficials.HewasthefounderoftheSuchitepéquezJournalists’Association(AsociacióndePeriodistasdeSuchiitepéquez).Accordingtoreports,Lópezhadbeenfacingharassmentatthehandsofthelocalmayor,forwhichhehadfiledanofficialcomplaintwiththePublicProsecutor.CeriguareportsthatLópezhadalsobeenthevictimofthreatsonthepartofanothermayorinSuchitepéquezdepartmentrelatingtothepublicationofanarticlepublishedinJuly2013.Inaddition,Lópezhadpostedonsocialmediadenouncingcorruptionoflocalofficialsbetween19and26February2015,accordingtoPrensaLibre.PENAction:PENStatement12March2015Ontrial

JuanLuisFONT:Profession:editorofthemagazineContrapoderDetailsoftrial:Fontstandsaccusedofcriminallibeland‘ideologicalandmaterialfalsehood’inconnectionwithanarticlepublishedon21March2014.ThecomplaintisreportedtohavebeenbroughtagainsthimbysixmembersoftheLibertadDemocráticaRenovada(LIDER)politicalparty.Accordingtonewsreports,Fontissuedapublicapologyforthearticle’smistakesandcorrectedtheonlineversionimmediatelyfollowingthefilingofthecomplaint.However,theplaintiffsreportedlychosetobringadditionalcharges,extendingthemtoallofContrapoder’sstaffanddemanding30millionquetzals(US$3.8million).Accordingto13January2015reports,initsAugust2014editionLaNaciónpublishedanarticleinwhichitallegedthatFonthadbeenreceivingbribesinreturnformanipulatinginformation.Fontreportedlyrespondedbyfilingalawsuitfordefamationagainstthenewspaperon12January2015.Accordingtonewsreports,FontmaynowbefacingchargesofmoneylaunderingfiledbymembersofLIDER.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:InJuly2014,FontandothercolleaguesworkingforCanalAntiguaTVstationwerechargedwithplagiarism.ThelawsuitclaimsthatthenameofarealityTVprogrammehostedonthechannelwasplagiarisedfromaregionalnewspaper.Awards:LatinAmericanStudiesAssociationMediaAward 2016

GUYANA

Threatened

*GlenLALLProfession:publisherofthedailynewspaperKaieteurNewsDateofthreat:4June2016Detailsofthreat:Accordingtonewsreports,alivegrenadewasfoundnearLall’scarinfront

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oftheKaieteurNewsoffices.Thegrenadewasreportedlytossedfromacarbutfailedtoexplode.Staffandpublisherswereintheofficesatthetimeholdingawakeforthedeathofoneoftheirreporters.Background:KaieteurNewsjournalistshavebeenthetargetofthreatsbefore.InOctober2014thenewspaperreportedlypublishedatranscriptofaphonecallmadebytheattorneygeneralAnilNandlallandthenministeroflegalaffairstoaKaieteurNewsreporterthreateninghimandwarninghimthatthenewspapershouldstopattackingpeople.Followingthepublicationoftherecording,NandlallreportedlyfiledadefamationlawsuitagainstLallandKaieteurNewseditorAdamHarris.InAugust2013year,afterthenewspaperreportedontheworkingsofthenationaltaxauthority,LallwastargetedwithataxfraudprobeandthethentaxcommissionerKhurshidSattaurfiledalibellawsuitagainsthimandHarris,accordingtonewsreports.

HAITI

Killed-impunityGeorgesHenryHONORAT:Profession:editor-in-chieffortheweeklynewspaperHaïtiProgrès,aidetoHaiti’sprimeministerandsecretarygeneralofthePopularNationalParty,anoppositionpartywhichopposedtheDuvalierdictatorshipsDateofdeath:23March2013Detailsofdeath:Honoratwasshotdeadwhentwomaskedhitmenreportedlyopenedfireonhimwhilepassinghishouseonamotorbike,shootinghimtwice.Accordingtoreports,thenewspaperhadreceivedthreatspriortotheshooting.Employeesofthepaperreportedlysuspect‘grassrootsorganisations’wereresponsibleforthekilling.Detailsofinvestigation:Aninvestigationwasopenedbutnomotivewassuggested.Nofurtherinformationonthemurderinvestigationasof30June2016.Background:In2008HaïtiProgrèsreportedlylosttwooftheirjournalistsinasuddenoutbreakofmobviolenceinnorthernHaitiwhilecoveringanationalsenatecampaign.

HONDURAS

PENismonitoringthecasesofsome57print,internetandbroadcastjournalistskilledinHondurassince2003.Thefollowinglistgivesdetailsofkillingssince2012whereimpunityremains.Afulllistofnamesofjournalistskilledsince2003isavailableonrequest.

Killed–impunity

ErickMARTÍNEZÁVILA:Profession:journalistandgayrightsactivistDateofbirth:c1981Dateofdeath:7May2012Detailsofdeath:MartínezwasfounddeadanddumpedinaditchinGuasculile,northofTegucigalpa.Hehadbeenstrangled.Martínezwasawell-knownspokesmanforthelesbianandgayrightsgroupKuculnanandwaspoliticallyactiveintheNationalPopularResistanceFront(FrenteNacionaldeResistenciaPopular-FNRP)andFreedomandRe-Foundation(LibertadyRefundación-LIBRE).LIBREisthepoliticalwingoftheFNRP,grassrootsmovementledbyXiomaradeCastroZelayathewifeofManuelZelaya,theformerHonduran

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presidentwhowasdeposedinacoupin2009.ThemotiveforMartínez’murderwasunknown.Detailsofinvestigation:On12September2012,thepolicearrestedEduardoJoséLópezGutierrez(18)onabusinElPedregal.López,thoughttobeamemberofthe‘18’gang,wasoneofthemainsuspectsintheinvestigationandwasexpectedtobechargedwithmurderandtheftofacar.TestimonyofprotectedwitnessesreportedlyplacedLópezandtwootheraccomplicesatthescene.TherewereconflictingreportsastothestatusofLópez’allegedaccomplices.Whilesomereportsclaimedthatonewasinprisonandtheotherdead,otherreportssuggestedthatthepolicewerestilllookingfortheaccomplices.PolicereportedlysuspectthatMartínezÁvilawaspickedupinastolencar,strangledandleftatthesideoftheroad.ThepolicehadnotyetconfirmedthemotiveforMartínezÁvila’smurder.AccordingtotheOfficeofthePublicProsecutor(MinisterioPúblico),asof16July2013twosuspectshadbeencharged,oneofwhosecaseswasatthepreliminaryhearingstageandtheotheratthepreparatoryhearingstage.Accordingtoreports,on30June2014oneoftheaccusedaccompliceswasabsolvedofMartínez’murder.Thecourtdeemedthatthepublicprosecutorhadfailedtoproduceevidencetosupportthechargeofmurder(asesinato)–whichimpliesalevelofpremeditation–allowingachargeofmanslaughter(homicidiosimple),rulingthatthepublicprosecutorfailedtoprovetheaccused’sinvolvement.Thecourtruledthatthemanshouldbereleased.Thereadingofthesentencewasscheduledfor6August2014.Accordingtonewsreports,witnesses’testimonywasdeemedunreliableaswasevidencegatheredatthescene,includingDNAevidence.NewsreportsindicatethattheaccusedhadalreadybeenarrestedonchargesofarmedrobberyatthetimeofMartínez’murder,makingitimpossibleforhimtohaveparticipatedinthecrime.On28January2015,themainsuspectinMartínez’murder,EduardoJoséLópezGutierrez,wasreportedlyabductedandkilledafterhavingescapedfromayoungoffenders’detentioncentreinNovember2014.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

JoséNoelCANALESLAGOS:Profession:reporterforthenewswebsiteHondudiarioDateofbirth:c1979Dateofdeath:10August2012Detailsofdeath:Accordingtoreports,CanaleswasdrivingtoworkinComayagüelawhenagroupofmenopenedfireonhisvehicle,shootinghiminthehead.Themotivefortheattackwasunknown.CanaleshadalsoworkedforSepocnews,acompanydedicatedtomonitoringnationalnews.Accordingtonewsreportshehadreceivedfrequentdeaththreatssince2009.AccordingtoaletterfromtheOfficeofthePublicProsecutor(MinisterioPúblico)dated16July2013,LagosisnotconsideredtobeajournalistashetranscribedthenewsforHondudiario.PENisseekingtoestablishwhetheraninvestigationintohismurderistakingplace.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:On16October2012,itwasreportedthatacontributortoHondudiario,AristedesAceituno,hadbeenreceivinganonymoustelephonethreatsinrelationtoitsinvestigationsintoexcessiveuseofhelicoptersbythegovernmentandthedebtitallegedlyowedtothehelicopterrentalcompany.Thewebsitewasreportedlyalsohacked.OnTrial

*ElvinFranciscoMOLINAProfession:activist,spokespersonforprotestsbyformeremployeesofthecompanyAlimentosContinentalDetailsoftrial:Accordingtonewsreports,Molinawasaccusedof‘spreadingfalseinformation’aboutfinancialinstitutionsandthreateningthenationaleconomicsysteminapostonhisFacebookaccount.Molinawasdetainedon21January2016bytheMilitaryPolice(PolicíaMilitardeOrdenPúblico–PMOP)inSanPedroSula,northernHondurasandreleasedthesameday.Theinitialhearingtookplaceon8March

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2016.Molinawasreportedlyacquittedon14March;however,thestateprosecutorreportedlyappealedtheacquittalon13April.On23April,itwasreportedthatMolinawasfacingintimidation,includingbeingfollowedbyunknowncars.Nofurtherinformationonthetrialasof30June2016.Background:MolinaisthespokespersoninaprotestbyformeremployeesofAlimentosContinental,whoaredemandingtheirsocialsecuritybenefits.AlimentosContinentalispartoftheContinentalGroup(ownedbytheRosenthalfamily),whichwasforciblyliquidatedinNovember2015duetoallegedlinkstoorganizedcrime.Inhispost,Molinareportedlyindicatedthatbanksofthenationalfinancesystemcouldbeaffectedbytheliquidationaswellforbeinglinkedtoorganizedcrime.Molina’sFacebookaccountisgenerallycriticalofthegovernmentofpresidentJuanOrlandoHernández.*CesarioAlejandroFélixPADILLAFIGUEROA:Profession:journalismgraduate,studentleader,andboardmemberandfoundingmemberofPENHonduras.Detailsoftrial:Padillaisfacingtrialintwoseparatecases,broughtinJuly2015andJune2016respectively,forhispartinstudentprotestsattheHonduranNationalAutonomousUniversity(UNAH)inthecapitalTegucigalpa.Hehasalsobeensubjectedtothreatsandharassmentinthesameperiod.PENInternationalbelievesthatPadillaandhisfellowstudentsarebeingtargetedfortheexerciseoftheirrightstofreedomofexpressionandassembly.(1)On14July2015,Padilla–alongwithfellowstudentsMoisésDavidCáceres,SergioLuisUlloaandJosuéArmandoVelásquez–werereportedlyorderednottoleavethecountryandtoreporttothecourtonaweeklybasis.Accordingtoreports,thechargebroughtagainsthimon17July2015isalleged‘usurpation’ofUNAHproperty,underArticle227oftheHonduranPenalCode,afterPadillaallegedlytookpartintheoccupationofauniversitybuildingduringastudentprotest.Thechargeswereupheldataninitialhearingon5August2015.Ifconvicted,Padillafacesaprisonsentenceofbetweentwoandfouryears.On28June2016,theprosecutionpresenteditsevidenceandtheCriminalCourtisduetoissueitssentenceinwriting.ItwillalsoconsidertheappealmadebyPadilla,CáceresandUlloaagainsttheirsuspensionfromtheUNAHin2014(seeBackgroundbelow).(2)On7June2016,anarrestwarrantwasissuedagainstPadillaandfiveotherstudents(Cáceres,Ulloa,Velásquez,DayanaraElizabethCastilloandIzharAsaelAlonzoMatamoros)aftertheywerechargedwith‘usurpation’ofpublicpropertyforallegedlytakingpartinprotestsattheUNAHduringafreshoutbreakofstudentproteststhatbeganinearlyJune.Ifconvicted,theyfacebetweenthreetofiveyearsunderArticle231oftheHonduranPenalCode.Theywerereportedlyalsoaccusedof‘sedition’.ThePublicProsecutor’sOffice(MinisterioPúblico)hasaccusedthemofoccupyingUNAHbuildingsfor48hoursandactsofvandalismagainstuniversityproperty.PadillawasreportedlytheonlyoneofthesixaccusedwhowasactuallypresentintheUNAHatthetimeoftheoccupation.Attheinitialhearinginthenewcaseon27June2016,PadillawasforbiddenfromattendingprotestsintheUNAHandorderedtoreporttothecourttwiceamonth.Thearrestwarrantagainsthimwasrevoked.[Stoppress:Atahearingon27July,theprosecutiondroppedallchargesagainstPadillaandCáceresinthe2016case.]Background:ThechargesstemfromPadilla’sroleinwidespreadstudentprotestsagainsttheprivatisationoftheuniversityandcallingfordemocratisationofthegoverningbodiesoftheUNAH.PadillaandfiveotherUNAHstudents,includingCáceres,CastilloandUlloa,werearbitrarilysuspendedfromtheuniversityinDecember2014aftertakingpartinpreviousprotests.Theyweresubsequentlyre-admittedtotheuniversityafterarulingbytheHonduranSupremeCourtofJusticeinFebruary2015.Theyarereportedlymembersofastudentcommitteewheretheydocumentallegedhumanrightsabuseswithin

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theUNAH(ComitéProDefensadelosDerechosHumanos).On15August2015,Padillareportedthatinthepreviousfewdayshehadbeentailedbytwounknownarmedmeninhisneighbourhoodwhohadalsobeenkeepingwatchoverhishome.ThemenhadmadeitknowntoPadillathattheyintendedtoharmhim.HeandPENHondurasbelievethatthissurveillancewasinretaliationforhisactivitiesasastudentleader.Hefearedforhissafety.In2016,PadillaandCácereshavebeensubjecttounlawfulsurveillancebyagentsfromtheTechnicalAgencyforCriminalInvestigations(ATIC),accordingtoacomplaintmadebydefencelawyersforthestudentsinthesecondlawsuit.ThecomplainttothePublicProsecutor’sOffice,filedon10June2016,alsostatesthatATICagentshavebeenattemptingtopreventPadilla,Cáceres,VelásquezandUlloafromenteringtheuniversitycampus,amongotherirregularities.PENActions:PENHondurasstatement6August2015;PENstatement17August2015;PENstatement15June2016;RAN22June2016.SamuelAntonioVÁSQUEZ:Profession:journalistforwww.laviacampesina.hnDateanddetailsoftrial:On16July2015,VásquezwasreportedlyarrestedinthevillageofPlandeSantaMaríainthedepartmentofLaPazwhilecoveringaviolentevictionofpeasantsandfarmerswhichleftmanyinjured.Vásquezreportedlyremaineddetaineduntil21September2015,alongwith14otherpeasants,underchargesofillegallandoccupation,environmentalcrimes,theft,seditionandterrorism.Allwerereleasedwithprecautionarymeasures,toldnottoleavethecountryandmadetopresentthemselvesbeforeacourtonceaweek.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;itisunclearwhetherthechargesagainstVásquezhavebeendropped.

Harassed

DinaMEZA(f):Profession:journalistandhumanrightsdefender.Mezahasworkedforanumberofhumanrightsorganisationsanddigitalmediaoutletssince1989.SheistheauthoroftheHonduraschapterinVamosaportarnosmal:protestasocialylibertaddeexpressionenAméricaLatina(Let’smisbehave:socialprotestandfreedomofexpressioninLatinAmerica)(Friedrich-EbertStiftung,Bogotá,2011)andKidnapped:CensorshipinHonduras(EvaTasFoundation,2015).In2014shewaselectedPresidentofthenewlyestablishedPENHondurasCentreofwhichsheisafoundingmember.Shealsorunsandwritesforthewebsitepasosdeanimalgrande.comwhichreportsonfreedomofexpressionandhumanrightsinHonduras.Dateofthreat:Since2006Detailsofharassment:Meza’ssecuritysituationremainsaseriousconcernin2016.Between1Januaryand31July,shereported20security-relatedincidentstothenon-governmentalorganisationPeaceBrigadesInternational(PBI),whichprovidesherwithprotectiveaccompaniment.Mostinvolvedsurveillanceofherhome,officeandmovements,withanincreaseinsurveillanceofherhomecomparedtothesecondhalfof2015.Therewasalsoasignificantincreaseinnon-physicalattacks,includingsuspectedsabotageofhercar,anincidentwhereunknownmenenteredherhousebypretendingtobeemployeesofamobilephonecompany,andsuspectedcyber-attacks.Fordetailsofpreviousincidents,seeCaseList2015.Background:Mezabeganherworkasahumanrightsdefenderin1989afteroneofherbrothers,acarpenterwhowaspartofanagriculturalcollectivewithconnectionstothecampesino(ruralworker)movement,wasabductedbysecurityforcesanddetainedincommunicadoforaweek,duringwhichtimehewastorturedandaccusedofbeingaguerilla.Shehasbeensubjectedtothreatsandharassmentonaregularbasissince2006,whenalawyerwhoformedpartofherteam

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supportingsecurityguardswhoselabourrightswerebeingviolatedwaskilled.Sincethen,shehasreportedbeingfollowed,watchedandthreatened,includingreceivingdeaththreatsandthreatsofsexualviolence.Shealsoreportsthathercommunicationshavebeeninterceptedandhervehiclesabotaged.Noneoftheseincidentshavebeenproperlyinvestigated.Mezaandherfamilyhavehadtomovehouseseveraltimessince2012forsecurityreasonsandsheleftHondurastemporarilyin2013duetohersecuritysituation.PENInternationalbelievethatsheistargetedforexercisingherrighttofreeexpressionandthatherphysicalsecurityisatrisk.Awards:2007AmnestyInternationalUK’sSpecialAwardforHumanRightsJournalismUnderThreat;2014OxfamNovib/PENInternationalFreedomofExpressionAward.Honorarymember:PENCatalàPENActions:DayoftheImprisonedWriterCase2013;appearedatFreetheWord!EventatHayCartagena2014;PENpressrelease14February2014;InternationalWomen’sDayCase2014;broughtbyPENtotestifyatInter-AmericanCommissiononHumanRightsMay2014.

MEXICO

PENismonitoringthecasesofsome78printandinternetjournalists,bloggersandwriterskilledinMexicosince2004.ThefollowinglistgivesdetailsofdeathsintheperiodJanuarytoJune2016(‘Killed’and‘Killed:motiveunknown)aswellascasessince2012whereimpunitycontinues).Afulllistofnamesofwriterskilledsince2004isavailableuponrequest.

Killed

*AnabelFLORESSALAZAR(f)Profession:journalistforElSoldeOrizabaDateofbirth:c.1984Dateofdeath:9February2016Detailsofdeath:FloresSalazarwasreportedlykidnappedfromherhomeinMarianoEscobedonearOrizaba,Veracruzstate,intheearlyhoursof8February2016.Accordingtonewsreports,Flores’aunt,SandraLuzSalazar,whowasinthehouseatthetimeofthekidnapping,statedthatabouteightarmedassailantsinmilitaryuniformsforcedtheirwayintothehouseandwentstraighttoFlores’room.Theassailantsreportedlyclaimedtohaveanarrestwarrantforher,threatenedfamilymemberswithweaponsandforcedFloresintoacar.HerdeadbodywasfoundthefollowingdaynexttotheCuacnopalan-OaxacahighwayinthedirectionofTehuacánintheneighbouringstateofPuebla.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtonewsreports,stateprosecutorsclaimedthatFloreshadlinkstoamemberofanorganisedcrimegroup,astheywereseentogetherwhenthesuspectedcriminalinquestionwasarrested.AccordingtoFlores’aunt,SandraLuzSalazar,thejournalisthappenedtobeinthesamerestaurantasthesuspectedcriminalatthattimebutwasnotlinkedwiththem.On13February2016,JavierDuarte,governorofVeracruzstate,tweetedaboutthetransferofthesuspectedheadoftheZetascriminalorganisationinVeracruz,JoseleMárquez,toafederalprisonandlinkedhimtotheplanningofFlores’murder,accordingtonewsreports.On6May2016,amanallegedlyinvolvedinthejournalist’smurderwasdetainedbythepolice;theAttorney’sGeneralofficereportedlystatedinapressreleasethatFlores’murderwasmotivatedbyherjournalisticwork.Background:FloresSalazarcoveredcrimeforthenewspaperElSoldeOrizaba.Otherinformation:Accordingtonewsreports,FloreswasalsoaformercontributorforElBuenTonoandElMundodeOrizaba.Sheleftbehindababyandafour-year-oldson.PENAction:PENstatement10February2016

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*MarcosHERNÁNDEZBAUTISTAProfession:journalistforthedailynewspaperNoticias,VozeImágendeOaxacaDateofbirth:c.1978Dateofdeath:21January2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,HernándezBautista(38)wasshotintheheadwhilehewasgettingintohiscaroutsideabarinSanAndrésHuaxpaltepec,Oaxacastate.Detailsofinvestigation:TheofficeoftheOaxacastatepublicprosecutoropenedaninvestigation.On25February,JorgeArmandoSantiagoMartínez,commanderofthemunicipalpoliceofSantiagoJamiltepec,wasarrestedasasuspectinHernández’murder,accordingtonewsreports,whileasecondsuspecthadbeenidentifiedbythestateprosecutor.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Hernándezreportedlycoveredsensitivetopicssuchastherelationshipbetweenlocalstrongmenwhorulepartsoftheregionandtheirinfluenceonlocalpolitics.Hehadreportedlycollaboratedinaninvestigationabouttherearrangementofthedistrictforelectoralpurposesanditsimpactontheelites,andhadalsorecentlyreportedonprotestsovertheconstructionofadam.AccordingtotheeditorialdirectorofNoticias,VozeImágendeOaxacahewasofteninfearbecauseofthepublicationofthesearticles.Otherinformation:Accordingtonewsreports,Hernándezalsoworkedforseveralradiostations,suchasLaKeBuenaradiointhemunicipalityofPinotepaNacionalandacommunitystationinSantiagoJamiltepec,coveringthesituationofcommunityandindigenousradiostationsintheregion.Accordingtonewsreports,hewasalsoapublicofficialforthelocalgovernmentandwasaffiliatedwiththeleft-wingoppositionparty,theMovementofNationalRegeneration(MovimientoRegeneraciónNacional–MORENA).OneofhislastarticlesannouncedthevisitoftheMORENAchairman,AndrésManuelLópezObrador,totheregion.PENAction:PENstatement28January2016*ElidioRAMOSZÁRATEProfession:journalistforthedailynewspaperElSurDateofbirth:c.1971Dateofdeath:19June2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,RamoswasshotdeadbyunknownassailantsonamotorcyclewhilehewasatarestaurantinJuchitán,Oaxacastate.Hewasreportedlyshotshortlyafterhehadfinishedreportingonsomeblockadessetupduringteachers’streetprotestsinthecitythathehadbeencovering.RamoshadbeeneatingwithRaúlCanoLópez,thebrotheroftheownerofthenewspaperPuntoCrÍticoandwhowasalsokilledintheattack,accordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,theteachers’unionCoordinadoraNacionaldeTrabajadoresdelaEducación(CNTE)wasorganisingprotestmarchesandsetupvariousstreetblockadesacrossOaxacatodemonstrateagainstchangestoeducationalpolicy.ThedaybeforeRamoswaskilled,heandotherreportersofElSurwerereportedlythreatenedbymaskedmennottoreportontheprotests.Accordingtoreports,ElSur’seditor,LucianoPacheco,statedthatthiswasthefirsttimeRamoshadbeenthreatened.ThejournalistcoveredcrimeforElSur.*ManuelTORRESGONZÁLEZProfession:editorofthenewswebsitemdna.noticiasmt.com,formerreporterfortheTVchannelTVAztecaandothermediaoutletsDateofbirth:c.1976Dateofdeath:14May2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,TorreswaskilledbyunknownassailantsashewasreturninghomeinPozaRica,Veracruz.ThatmorninghehadattendedameetingoflocalcandidatesfortheInstitutionalRevolutionaryParty(PRI).Hediedfromasinglegunshottothehead.Detailsofinvestigation:AstatementbytheofficeoftheVeracruzstate

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attorneygeneralon14MaydidnotrecogniseTorresasajournalist,identifyinghimonlyasanassistantanddriverforCarlosOrtizChristfield,atownhallofficialinPozaRica,workwhichTorrescarriedoutalongsidehisjournalism.However,theVeracruzStateCommissionfortheProtectionofJournalists(ComisiónEstataldeAtenciónyProtecciónaPeriodistas–CEAPP)issuedastatementcondemningthemurderandcallingforaswiftinvestigation,whichitsaiditwouldmonitor.ACEAPPrepresentativewhoreportedlycametoPozaRicainordertoofferthefamilysupportandprotectionmeasuresaffirmedthatTorreswasindeedajournalist.TheSpecialPublicProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscontralaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)isinvolvedintheinvestigationintoTorres’killing,alongwiththeOfficeoftheGeneralPublicProsecutorofthestateofVeracruz(FiscalíaGeneraldelEstadodeVeracruz)andthePublicProsecutorSpecializedinelectoralcrimesandforcrimesagainstjournalistsand/ormediaworkers,northarea(FiscalíaEspecializadaendelitoselectoralesyenlaatencióndedenunciascontraperiodistasy/ocomunicadoreszonanorte).Torres’familyreportedlyrejectedprotectionmeasuresandpsychologicalsupportofferedbytheGeneralPublicProsecutorofthestateofVeracruz.Background:Torreshadbeenareporterforover20yearsandhadworkedforTVAzteca,thedailynewspaperNoresteandtheonlinenewsportalRadiover.comamongothers,accordingtonewsreports.Hewasreportedlyknownforhiscoverageoflawandorder.Recently,hehadsetuphisownlocalnewswebsite(http://mdna.noticiasmt.com/)whichcoveredpolitics,crimeandsocialissues.PENAction:PENstatement17May2016.Killed:motiveunknown

*ZamiraEstherBAUTISTALUNA(f)Profession:freelancejournalistDateofbirth:c.1972Dateofdeath:20June2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,Bautista(44)wasshotbyagroupofarmedmenaftergettingintohercaroutsideherhomeinCiudadVictoria,Tamaulipasstate..AccordingtoareportbytheInterAmericanPressAssociation,theassailantsleftanoticewithBautistathatwassignedwiththeinitialsoftheCarteloftheNorthwest(CartéldelNoroeste)andlinkedthejournalisttoarivalcriminalgroupinCiudadVictoria.Detailsofinvestigation:TheTamaulipasstateprosecutor’sofficeisresponsibleforinvestigatingthekilling.Otherinformation:Besidesherfreelancework,Bautistawasalsoasecondaryschoolteacher.PreviouslyshehadworkedforthesocietysectionsofthenewspapersElMercurioandLaVerdaddeCiudadVictoria.*FranciscoPACHECOBELTRÁNProfession:correspondentforthedailynewspaperElSoldeAcapulco,onlineeditorofthenewspaperElForodeTaxcoDateofbirth:approx.1961Dateofdeath:25April2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,Pachecowasattackedbyunidentifiedassailantsinfrontofhishouseearlyinthemorningashewasreturninghomefromtakingoneofhisdaughterstoabusterminal.Hewasreportedlyshotinthebackofhisheadandfounddeadbyanotherdaughterandhiswife,whoheardtheshots.Otherinformation:Pachecocoveredcrime,localpoliticsandtourism.HewascriticalofthecurrentlocaladministrationofTaxcoundermayorOmarJalilFloresandpostedonhisownwebsiteaboutregionalcrime,drugtraffickingandviolence(http://www.franciscopacheco.mx/).HewasalsoacorrespondentfortheradiostationCapitalMáxima.Accordingtonewsreports,neitherfamilymembersnortheeditoroftheradioshowknewofanythreatsagainsthim.PEN

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action:PENMexicoStatementApril2016Killed:impunity

IsmaelDÍAZLÓPEZ:Profession:reporterforElCriolloandTabascoHoynewspapersDateofdeath:18June2015Detailsofdeath:DíazwasreportedlykilledathishomeinthemunicipalityofTeapa,Villahermosa,TabascoState.AccordingtotheInterAmericanPressAssociation,unknownassailantsbrokeintohishomeandattackedhimwithaknife.Hereceivedwoundstothechestanddiedonhiswaytohospital.Detailsofinvestigation:Thestateattorneygeneral’soffice(FiscalíaGeneraldelEstado)reportedlytweetedthatthestrongestlineofenquiryisthathismurderwaslinkedtoafamilyconflict,whichtheyhavebasedonpre-existinglegalevidence.Accordingtoanothertweetbythestateattorneygeneral’soffice,theyareworkingincoordinationwiththefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE).Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:DíazreportedlycoveredeventsinTeapaandTlacotalpaforTabascoHoyandcrimeforElCriollo.Accordingtonewsreports,Díazwashavingproblemswithhisex-wife,whohadrecentlydeniedhimaccesstohischildren.AccordingtoanarticlepublishedonTabascoHoy,hisfamilysuspectsthatDíazwasmurderedbyhisstep-sonincomplicitywithDiaz’ex-wife.PENAction:PENstatement8July2015GuillermoFERNÁNDEZGARCÍA:Profession:poetandtranslatorDateofbirth:2October1932Dateofdeath:31March2012Detailsofdeath:NeighboursdiscoveredhisbodyathishomeinToluca.Hehadbeenboundandkilledwithablowtothehead.Nothingwasstolenbythekillerorkillersandthemotiveforthemurderisunknown.However,somearesuggestingthatthekiller(s)was/wereknowntoFernándezastherewereglassesofwineandfullashtraysintheroomwiththebody.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtoofficialcorrespondencewiththeMexicanauthorities,thecasewasreferredtoMexico’sattorneygeneral.On4April2013,itwasreportedthatattorneygeneral’sofficehadfailedtomakeheadwayinitsinvestigation.AccordingtoPENInternational’sinformation,thecaseremainsatastandstillasof31December2014.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN16/12

MaríadelRosarioFUENTESRUBIO(f):Profession:Doctorcitizenjournalistwhotweetedaboutviolenceandorganisedcrimeunderthepseudonym‘Felina’usingthe@Miut3accountDateofdeath:15-16October2014Detailsofdeath:FuenteswasreportedlykidnappedbyarmedmenasshelefttheTierraSantaclinicinTamaulipas,wheresheworkedasadoctor,on15October2014.Onedaylater,tweetsweresentfromheraccountdeterringpeoplefromriskingtheirlivesbyinformingaboutorganisedcrime,andwarningthemthatthecartelswereclosinginonthem.SubsequenttweetsexposedhertrueidentityandpostedtwoimagesofFuentes–thefirstalive,thesecondapparentlydead.Detailsofinvestigation:AsFuentes’bodyhasnotyetbeenfound,thecaseofficiallyremainsopenasakidnapping.Thecaseisthoughttobebeingpursuedbytheanti-kidnappingsquad,afterfamilymembersfiledareportonherabduction.AccordingtoapressstatementbytheTamaulipasAttorneyGeneral,officialsbelievethatFuentes’abductionandprobablemurderarelinkedtoherworkasadoctor.AccordingtoinformationprovidedbythefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomof

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Expression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)inMarch2015,Fuenteswasinvolvedinanincidentatthehospitalinvolvingthetreatmentofanassumedgang-memberforagunshotwound.Fuentesreportedlyquitherjobatthehospitalthreedayslater.Theinvestigationintothecaseremainedon-going.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:FuenteshadreportedlycontributedtoValorporTamaulipas(CourageforTamaulipas),awebsiteusedbycitizenjournaliststoreportoncriminalactivity,untilshefeltforcedtostopin2013forsafetyreasons.SheisalsoreportedtohaveregularlypostedtoarelatedFacebookpagecalledResponsabilidadporTamaulipas(ResponsibilityforTamaulipas).InFebruary2013anunidentifieddrugcartelofferedarewardofUS$44,000fortheidentitiesofValorporTamaulipas’administrators.PENAction:17November2014Statement.

JesúsAntonioGAMBOAURÍAS(“ElTonyGamboa”):Profession:editorofthemagazineNuevaPrensaDateofdeath:10October2014Detailsofdeath:Accordingtolocalnewsreports,Gamboawasreportedmissingon10October2014andwasfoundsemi-buriedinVilladeAhome,Sinaloastate,12dayslater.Detailsofinvestigation:TheSinaloastateattorneygeneralreportedlyruledoutGamboa’sjournalismasapossiblemotive,indicatingthatthemurderrelatedtoaconfrontationinabarwithoneofitsemployees.TheauthoritiesreportedlyarrestedthebaremployeeandherpartnerafteroneofthesuspectsusedGamboa’screditcard.Accordingtoreports,Gamboahadadisagreementwiththebarmaid,whoimmediatelycalledherpartner,whowenttothebaralongwithseveralmen.Gamboawasreportedlydraggedfromtheestablishmentandtakenbehindalocalmotelwherehewasshotmultipletimes.On20March2015itwasreportedthattheAttorneyGeneral’sofficehadarrestedtwofurthersuspectsinGamboa’smurder,oneofwhomissuspectedoffiringtheshots.Accordingtoreports,theauthoritiessuspectthatGamboawasmistakenforamemberofadruggang.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:17November2014StatementGregorioJIMÉNEZDELACRUZ(“Goyo”):Profession:ReportercoveringthepolicebeatforthenewspaperElLiberaldelSurandthenewsagencyNotiSur.Dateofdeath:6February2014;bodyfound11February2014.Detailsofdeath:Jiménez(42)wasabductedbyarmedmenfromhishomeinCoatzacoalcoson5Februaryandreportedlyforced,handcuffed,intoanunmarkedpickuptruck.HisbodywasfoundinaclandestinegraveinLasChoapas,VeracruzState,alongsidethebodyofunionleaderErnestoRuizGuillenandanunidentifiedtaxidriver.Forensicreportsindicatethatitislikelythathewaskilledthedayafterhewaskidnapped,on6February2014.Detailsofinvestigation:TheinitialstagesoftheinvestigationintoJiménez’abductionwerewidelyreportedtobeinadequate;however,ajointoperationconductedbythearmy,navyandVeracruzstatepolicewaslaterinstigated.ThearrestofamanatCoatzacoalcosbusstationbymembersoftheVeracruzInvestigationAgency(AgenciaVeracruzanadeInvestigaciones–AVI)on10February2014ledtothediscoveryofJiménez’bodyandtheapprehensionoffiveothersuspects.Oninterrogation,themanreportedlyconfessedtohisroleinJiménez’murderandidentifiedTeresadeJesúsHernández–Jiménez’neighbourandownerofalocalbar–asthemastermindofthecrime.AccordingtotheVeracruzstateprosecutor(ProcuradorGeneraldeJusticiadeVeracruz),FelipeAmadeoFloresEspinosa,HernándezhiredthegrouptokidnapandkillJiménezforthesumof20,000pesos(approx.US$1,500)followingaseriesofpersonaldifferences.Bytheendof2014,Hernándezandtheotherfive

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suspectswerealldetainedpendingtrial,withthreefurthersuspectssoughtforarrest.Jiménez’widowclaimsthatthedisputeinfactarosefromarticlesthatthejournalisthadwrittenonhomicidesthatallegedlytookplaceinHernández’bar,accordingtoaninterviewwithAnimalPolítico.SomeofJiménez’colleagueshavequestionedtheinvestigation’sconclusions,urgingthathisjournalismnotberuledoutasapossiblemotivegiventhefactthathehadwrittentwoarticlesonthedisappearanceofunionleaderErnestoRuizGuillen,alongsidewhomhewasfoundburied.Accordingtoa17February2014report,anumberofNGOsincludingReportersWithoutBordersandArticle19raisedconcernsovertheimpartialityofthepresidingjudgeinthecase.JudgeUrielDomínguezColíoisthebrotherofthestategovernment’sspokesperson.Journalistsandorganisationsalikecalledforanewjudgetobeassignedtothecase.Accordingto28May2014reports,newevidenceagainstthoseheldinconnectionwithJiménez’murderlinkedthemtootherviolentcrimes.Atapressconference,thestateprosecutorindicatedthattheinvestigationwasfollowingthreelinesofinquiry:thepersonaldisputewithalocalbarowner,hisworkasajournalist,andanadditionaltheorywherethetwootherlinesofinquirymaybeconnected.Accordingtoreports,thoseheldinconnectionwithJiménez’abductionandmurderweregrantedanamparo(legalprotectionoftheirconstitutionalrights)on2September2014pendinganinvestigationintothehandlingofthecaseaftertheyallegedthattheyweretorturedduringtheirdetention.Accordingto18February2015reports,Jiménez’widow,CarmelaHernándezOsorio,hasreportedlyfacedrepeatedthreatsandharassmentdespitetheprotectionprovidedbyVeracruzstateandassuchhassoughtprotectionunderthefederalprotectionmechanism.Update:Theonlinenewspaperplumaslibres.com.mexreportedthatJiménez’son,LuisAlbertoJiménezHernández,wasduetotestifyincourtforthedefenceofTeresadeJesúsHernándezCruzon24June2016,butthehearingwaspostponedduetohisfailuretopresentofficialidentification.Background:JiménezhadrecentlycoveredawaveofkidnappingreportedinVillaAllende,includingthatofErnestoRuizGuillen.Hehadreportedlyreceivedthreatspriortohisdeath,whichhadbeenreportedtotheauthorities.PENAction:3March2014statementAlbertoLÓPEZBELLO:Profession:crimereporterforthedailynewspaperElImparcialandreporterforRadiorama’spolicenewsprogramme“ForoPolítico”Dateofdeath:17July2013Detailsofdeath:López’bodywasfoundintheearlyhoursofthemorningontheoutskirtsofOaxacaCity,Oaxaca,nexttothatofArturoAlejandroFranco,variouslydescribedinmediareportsasapoliceinformant,policeofficerandcityemployee.Bothbodiesshowedsignsofgunshotwoundsandbluntforcetrauma,althoughatthetimethemurderswerereportedtheauthoritieswereyettospecifythepreciseweaponsusedintheattack.López(28)andFrancohadreportedlybeendrinkinginabarinOaxacathepreviousnight.Lópezwaslastheardfromatthreeinthemorningon17July2013,whenhespoketoafriend;therewasnoindicationofaproblematthattime.HehadworkedforElImparcialforsixyearsandhadrecentlywrittenseveralstoriesaboutdrugdealinginOaxaca.Detailsofinvestigation:TheOaxacastategovernorreportedlyinstructedtheattorneygeneraltotreatLópez’murderasahigh-impactcrimeandtochannelthecasethroughaspecialunitforcrimesagainstjournalists.Organisedcrimewasreportedlyoneofthelinesofenquirybeingpursuedbystateauthorities.TherewassomesuggestionthatLópezhimselfmighthavehadlinkswiththedrugstrade;however,hiscolleagueshaveassertedthathewaskilledbecauseofhisjournalisticwork.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,anemailcirculatedamongstateinvestigatorson23

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July2013suggestedthatseniorofficialsinthestatepolicewereresponsibleforLópez’murderbecauseheknewoftheirconnectionstodrugtraffickers.On27July2013,NoticiasnewspaperreportedlycalledforaninvestigationintotwoformerheadsoftheStateInvestigationsAgency(AEI)forallegedinvolvementinLópez’murder.By30September2013,accordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,theinvestigationhadstalledandLópez’familyhadfeltforcedtoleaveOaxaca,havingreceivednoassistancefromeithertheauthoritiesorElImparcial.Accordingtopressreports,on6November2013,thestateauthoritiesandtheSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)confirmedthatonthebasisofajointinvestigationtheyhadruledoutLópez’journalismasapossiblemotive,favouringthetheorythatanargumentbrokeoutbetweenLópezandagangassociatedwithorganisedcrimeinthebarwhereheandFrancohadbeendrinking.Fourmenidentifiedastheculpritswerearrestedon6May2014:JuliánRamírezBenítez,GerardoGarcíaFlores,RafaelMartínezGonzálezandAldoTenorioBenítez.Themenreportedlyconfessedtothecrimeafterbeingarrestedinaseparatemurderenquiry.TheOaxacaprosecutorManueldeJesúsLópezresignedthedayaftertheFEADLEreportwaspublished,havingleftthecaseopen.LópezBello'sfamilydisputedtheFEADLEconclusion,pointingtofaultsintheinvestigation,andclaimedthegovernmentwasprotectingLópez'smurderers.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:On18May2013,Lópezwasreportedlyarrestedbystatepolicealongwithhiscolleague,JacoboRobles,whilephotographingasignallegedlyleftonafootbridgebyanorganisedcrimegroup.Officialsconfiscatedtheirequipmentandtelephonesanddetainedthemforfourhoursuntilthepublicprosecutor’sofficeorderedtheirreleaseonthegroundsthattheirdetentionwasillegal.InOctober2007,threeofElImparcial’snewspapersellerswerekilledastheydroveinavanmarkedwiththenewspaper’slogo.Thecaseremainsunresolved.ReginaMARTÍNEZ(f):Profession:journalistforinvestigativenewsmagazineProceso,Dateofdeath:28April2012Detailsofdeath:MartínezwasfoundbeatenandstrangledatherhomeinVeracruzstate.Shehadreportedondrugtraffickingandorganisedcrime.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtocommunicationswiththefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE),thestateattorneygeneralofVeracruzwasinvestigatingthecrime,includinganypossiblelinkwithherwriting,withtheparticipationofthefederalattorneygeneral.However,accordingtoreportsinJulyandAugust2012,investigatorshadfoundthatMartínezhadalmostsolelybeeninterviewingotherjournalistsandconcludedthemurderwasacrimeofpassion.ThisinterpretationandapproachwasstronglycriticizedbyjournalistswhodemonstratedinthestreetscallingforjusticeforMartínezandforpolicetoinvestigatelinkswithorganisedcrime.On2November2012,itwasreportedthatamanchargedwithMartínez’murder,JorgeHernándezSilva,hadretractedhisconfession,claimingthathehadbeentorturedandhismotherthreatenedinordertoforcehimtoconfesstothemurder.ThestateattorneygeneralhadgiventheHernándezSilva’smotiveformurderasrobbery,usinghisconfessionastheprincipalpieceofevidenceagainsthim.DNAsamplestakenfromthescenereportedlydonotmatchanyoneonthenationalcriminaldatabaseandthereforeruleoutHernándezSilva,owingtohiscriminalrecord.BothProcesoandtheFEADLEreportedbeingexcludedfromtheinvestigation,despitebeingentitledtoparticipatefullyalongsidethestateauthoritiesaccordingtothelaw.NeitherProceso’s

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appointedreporternorFEADLEwerepartytothelineofenquirythatledtoHernándezSilva’arrest.Proceso’sappointedreporterhasnotedthat‘atnopointdidthestateeverconsiderRegina’sjournalisticworkasapossiblemotiveformurder.’On13November2012,itwasreportedthattheauthoritieshadconfirmedthemotiveforMartínez’murderwasrobberyafterherwatchwasrecovered.ThemaninpossessionofthewatchindicatedthatJorgeHernándezSilvaandJoséAdriánHernándezDomínguezhadsoldittohim.Accordingtoreports,theauthoritiesidentifiedHernándezDomínguezasMartínez’boyfriendandnamedhimastheprinciplesuspect.Heremainsatlarge.On10April2013,itwasreportedthatajudgehadsentencedJorgeHernándezSilvato38yearsand60daysinprisonforMartínez’murder.Accordingtoreports,HernándezSilva,whoinitiallyconfessedtothemurder,‘didnotprovideevidenceofhisinnocence.’WhilethestatecasewasconsideredclosedwiththeconvictionofHernándezSilva,afederalinvestigationreportedlyremainedopen.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,twofederalinvestigatorsdoubtedHernándezSilva’sguiltbasedontheevidencecollectedatthescene.On8August2013,HernándezSilva’ssentencewasoverturnedbytheVeracruzStateSupremeCourt,citinginsufficientevidence,onthebasisthatthe‘confession’wasallegedlyobtainedundertorture.Accordingto28May2014reports,theVeracruzstateprosecutorannouncedinapressconferencethattheinvestigationintoMartínez’murderremainsopen,thatitwouldre-startfromthebeginninginordertoexploreanumberofavenues,andthatanarrestwarranthasbeenissuedforJoséAdriánHernándezDomínguez,whoremainedatlarge.AccordingtoastatementbytheVeracruzattorneygeneralmadeon22October2014,statepolicere-arrestedJorgeHernándezSilvaonchargesoftheaggravatedrobberyandmurderofMartínez.Accordingtothestatement,hisarrestwarrantwassecuredafterMartínez’familylodgedanamparoappeal,inwhichthejudgefoundthattherewassufficientevidencetodeterminethatHernándezSilvahadcommittedthecrime.Heisexpectedtoserveouttheremainderofhis38-yearprisonsentenceinPachoViejoprison.TheauthoritiescontinuetosearchforJoséAdriánHernándezDomínguez.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN23/12

JuanMENDOZADELGADO:Profession:editoroflocalnewswebsiteEscribiendolaverdad(‘Writingthetruth’)Dateofdeath:30Juneor1July2015Detailsofdeath:Mendozawasreportedmissingon30Julyandhisbodywasfoundthenextday.Accordingtonewsreports,thejournalistlefthishomeinMedellíndeBravo,VeracruzState,on30Junetocoverhisshiftasataxidriver,butfailedtoreturnlaterthatevening.UnofficialreportssuggestedthathehadbeenrunoverandwasfoundontheroadsidebetweenSantaFe-SanJuliándeVeracruz.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtonewsreports,thestateattorneygeneralconfirmedthatMendozawasrunoverontheSantaFe-SanJuliándeVeracruzmotorwayintheearlyhoursofthemorning.Mendoza'swifeandlocalpressreportsquestionedtheofficialversionofhisdeath,pointingoutthathisbodywasfoundfarfromhisusualworkrouteand,accordingtosome,hisbodyshowedsignsoftorture.Mendoza’swifewasreportedlynotawareofthejournalisthavingreceivedanythreatspriortohisdeath.Itwasunclearwhetheranofficialinvestigationisunderwayasof31December2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:MendozareportedlycoveredthecrimebeatforEscribiendolaverdad.Hehadreportedlycriticizedlocalpoliticiansandorganisedcrimegroupsinhiscolumns.PreviouslyhecoveredthecrimebeatforthelocaldailynewspaperElDictamenformorethanadecade,accordingtonewsreports.Healsoandworkedpart-timeasataxidriver.He

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wasthesecondjournalisttobekilledinMedellíndeBravoin2015(seeMoisésSánchezCerezobelow).PENAction:PENstatement8July2015.GerardoNIETOÁLVAREZ:Profession:editoroftheweeklynewspaperElTábano,vocesindependientesdelRíoLajaDateofdeath:26June2015Detailsofdeath:NietowasreportedlyfounddeadbyhisdaughterathisofficesinComonfort,Guanajuatostate,on26June2015.Whilethereareconflictingreportssurroundingexactlyhowhedied,itisbelievedthathisthroatwasslit.Detailsofinvestigation:Thestateattorneygeneralissaidtohaveopenedaninvestigation.AccordingtotheonlinenewspaperZonaFranca,thestateattorneygeneralruledoutanyconnectiontohiswork,claimingthattheauthoritieshaddiscoveredmanyemptybottlesofalcoholandapossibleweapon,whichtheybelievecouldhavebeenusedtokillhim.Investigatorsreportedlybelievefromapreliminaryanalysisofthecrimescenethathehadbeendrinkingwithatleasttwoindividualsbeforehediedandthatanargumentmayhavebrokenout.TheauthoritieshavereportedlysummonedthreeseparatepeoplethoughttohavebeenwithNietointhehourspriortohisdeathforquestioning.Accordingtohisson,Nieto’slaptop,whichcontainedinformationhewasgoingtopublisharoundthetimeofhismurder,disappearedatthetimeofhisdeath.In28June2016,itwasreportedthattheGuanajuatostatepublicprosecutor,CarlosZamarripaAguirre,hadstatedthattheauthoritieshadsolvedNieto’smurderandthatthesuspectwouldbearrested‘inamatterofweeks’.HereportedlyclaimedthatcrimewasnotrelatedtoNieto’sjournalisticwork.Background:ElTábanoisreportedtobeapublicationdedicatedtothecoverageoflocalpoliticsinGuanajuatostate.PENAction:PENstatement8July2015JoséMoisésSÁNCHEZCEREZO:Profession:ownerandjournalistforLaUnión,afreeweeklynewspapercirculatedincommunitiessurroundingMedellíndeBravo,VeracruzstateDateofdeath:2January2015;bodydiscoveredon24January2015Detailsofdeath:SánchezwasreportedlyabductedfromhishomeinMedellín,Veracruzstate,byagroupofheavilyarmedmenon2January2015.Hisabductorsconfiscatedhiscamera,laptopandmobilephonebeforeforcinghimintooneofthreevehicles.Accordingtohisson,Sánchezhadbeenwarnedagainstcontinuinghisreportingon30December2014whenamanapproachedhishome.Sánchezhadrecentlyreportedon–andparticipatedin–protestsagainstallegedabusescarriedoutbythemayorofMedellín.Hisfamilyarereportedtobelievethathehasbeentargetedforthesearticles.Inapublicstatement,themayorofMedellíndeniedanyinvolvementandconfirmedthathehadbeenindirectcontactwiththefamily,accordingtonewsreports.Detailsofinvestigation:TheVeracruzstateattorneygeneralisreportedtohaveledinvestigationsintoSánchez’disappearanceincoordinationwiththefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE).Theyreportedlyinterviewedatleast60peopleinconnectionwithhisdisappearance,includingseveralpublicemployeesandthetown’smayor.Thirteenmembersofthemunicipalpolicewerearrestedinconnectionwithhisdisappearanceon5January2015,accordingtoastatementbytheattorneygeneral’soffice.Sánchez’bodywasreportedlydiscoveredinbinbagsinthemunicipalityofManlioFabioAltamiranoon25January2015afteramanarrestedinthecourseoftheinvestigationintothejournalist’sdisappearanceconfessed.Sánchezwasreportedlykilledonthesamedayashisdisappearance,2January.Thearrestedman,then

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oneofsixsuspects,isreportedtobeaformerpoliceofficerwithadisbandedinter-municipalpoliceunitandconnectedtoalocaldrug-dealinggang.Heclaimsthatthehitwasorderedbythedeputychiefofthemunicipalpolice–whoalsoactsaschauffeurandsecurityguardtothemayorofMedellíndeBravo–whowasinturnactingonbehalfofthemayorhimself.Thestateattorneygeneral’sofficehasreportedlyrequestedtheimpeachmentofthemayorsothattheymightthenchargehimforhisroleinSánchez’murder,however,themayorisreportedtohavefledthestate.Accordingtothejournalist’sson,therehavebeennumerousirregularitiesintheinvestigation.TheVeracruzstateauthoritieswereseekingthefiveothersuspectswiththeassistanceofthestatepoliceforce(FuerzaCivil)andNavy(SecretariadeMarina).On21March2015,FEADLEinformedPENInternationalthatfivesuspectswerechargedwithSánchez’murderon24January,thedayhisbodywasfound.Twoofthemwerealsochargedwithfailuretofolloworders,alongwithoneothersuspect.FEADLEsaysithadreferredSánchez’familymemberstotheVictims’Commissionandtothenationaljournalists’protectionmechanism.However,FEADLEdeclinedarequestbySánchez’wifeandsontoassertjurisdictionoverthecase.TheVeracruzstateauthoritiesarethereforeinchargeofthemurderinvestigation.On17November2015thedeputychiefofthemunicipalpoliceofMedellínwasreleasedfromprisonafterafederaljudgeacceptedhisappealonthegroundsthattherewasnotenoughevidencetokeephiminjail.Thechargesagainsthimwerereportedlynotdropped.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Sánchezwasanactivememberofhiscommunity,whoregularlyparticipatedinprotestmarchesandhaddenouncedtheincreaseinviolentcrimeinthearea.Hewasalsoataxidriverandshopowner.PENAction:PENStatement27January2015FiladelfoSÁNCHEZSARMIENTO:Profession:contributortolocalnewspapersandhostofnewsprogrammeonFavorita103.3FMLaVozdelaSierraSurradiostationDateofdeath:2July2015Detailsofdeath:SánchezwasreportedlyshotdeadoutsidehisofficesinMiahuatlan,Oaxacastate,onthemorningof2July2015.Heandhiscolleaguesattheradiostationhadreportedlyreceiveddeaththreatsintherun-uptotheJune2015congressionalelections;theradiostationisreportedtoregularlyreceivethreats.Detailsofinvestigation:On13May2016,taxidriverFelipeFabiánReyeswasarrestedforSánchez’allegedmurderer,accordingtonewsreports.Thesamereportsindicatedthatanothersuspect,knownvariouslyasGuzmánEugenioReyesJuárez,EpigmenioReyesJuárezorEfigenioReyesJuárez,hadalreadybeendetained,accusedofanothermurder.PENAction:PENstatement8July2015VíctorPÉREZPÉREZ:Profession:journalistforcrimeSucesosmagazineDateofdeath:3September2014Detailsofdeath:Pérez(40)wasreportedlyshotdeadathishomeinCuidadJuárez,ChihuahuaState.Hisassailantsreportedlyforcedentrytohishome.Hedieduponhisarrivalathospital.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtoreports,municipalpolicehadarrestedoneofPérez’allegedkillersbytheendoftheday.Theotheristhoughttoremainatlarge.Nofurtherinformationregardingtheinvestigationhasbeenreleasedasof30June2016.Background:Pérez’relativeandformereditorofSucesos,CandelarioPérezPérez,wasalsoshotdeadin2008(seeJan-June2008CaseList).PENAction:17November2014Statement

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OctavioROJASHERNÁNDEZ:Profession:crimecorrespondentforElBuenTono,basedinVeracruzstate,andmunicipalpressofficerforCosolapa,OaxacastateDateofdeath:11August2014Detailsofdeath:Rojas(47)wasreportedlyshotfourtimesbyanasyetunidentifiedattackerathishomeinSanJoseCosolapa,Oaxaca,on11August2014.RojashadrecentlyreturnedhomefromaneventinthecommunityofPalmaSola,Oaxaca,whenamanknockedonhisdoortoenquireaboutthesaleofacarparkedoutside.ThemanfiredfourshotsafterRojaswentoutsidetodiscussthesale,hittinghimtwiceintheheadandonceinthechestandshoulder.Rojasdiedatthescenewhilethekillerfledonfoot.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtoastatementbythestateattorneygeneral,theStateInvestigationsAgency(AgenciaEstataldeInvestigaciones–AEI)respondedtothecall,sendingouttheprosecutorandvariousspecialiststoinvestigatethecrimescene.Investigatorsrecoveredfourbulletcasingsfromthescene.ThestatementmadenoreferencetoRojas’workasacorrespondentforElBuenTono,givingrisetoconcernthattheywouldnotpursuehisworkasajournalistasalineofinquiry.Hiscolleaguesreportedlybelievethathismurderrelatestohisrecentarticlesforthenewspaper.Theinvestigationwasbelievedtobeon-goingattheendof2014.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Justtwodayspriortohismurder,RojashadpublishedhislatestarticleinaseriesonChupaductos–acartel-linkedgangthatreportedlysiphonsofffuelandoilfromillegallytappedpipelinesforsaleontheblackmarket.Inthearticle,RojasreportedonamilitaryoperationagainsttheChupaductosandimplicatedCosolapachiefofpoliceasamemberofthecriminalgang.Thepolicechiefhasreportedlysincedisappearedandisconsideredafugitivefromjustice.Althoughthearticledidnotincludehisby-line,RojaswaseasilyidentifiableastheauthorashewastheonlyreporterintheCosolapaarea.ElBuenTonohasbeenthesubjectofpreviousthreatsandharassment;in2011,afewmonthsafteropening,thenewspaper’sofficesweresetalight.In2013,thefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)reportedlyannouncedthatitwasnotcompetenttoinvestigatethearsonattackandtransferredthecasetotheVeracruzstateprosecutor’soffice.PENAction:17November2014Statement

AdriánSILVAMORENO:Profession:freelancejournalistandcrimereporterforlocalmediaoutletsincludingthenewspapersGlobalMéxicoandPuntualPueblaDateofbirth:c1978Dateofdeath:14November2012Detailsofdeath:Silva(34)wasshotdeadalongwithaformerpolicemaninTehuacán,Pueblastate.HehadbeencoveringanarmyinvestigationintothetheftofgasolinefromagovernmentpetroleumcompanyinTehuacán,anareasaidtobecontrolledbyorganisedcriminalgroups.Silvareportedlycalledanotherjournalisttotellhimhehadwitnessedanarmedstand-offbetweensoldiersandgunmenandthathehadfoundsomethingimportantatthesceneofthetheftwhichhewouldexplainlater.However,hiscarwasthenapparentlyinterceptedandhewasshotdead;hisbodywasfoundwithmultiplegunshotwounds.Hispassenger,formermunicipalpolicemanMisraelLópezGonzález,wasshotintheheadafterhefledfromthecar.On19November2012,itwasreportedthatfamilymembersandcolleaguesofSilvawhohadattemptedtovisithisbodyatthemorguewhereithadbeentakenhadreceivedthreatsfromunidentifiedindividuals.Thepolicesubsequentlysentofficerstoprotectthemorgue.ThemotiveforSilva’smurderwasunknown,butcolleaguessuspectedthatitmayhavebeenrelatedtohisreportingonthegasolinetheft.Heisnotknowntohavereceivedthreatsfromorganisedcriminalgroups

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priortohisdeath.Detailsofinvestigation:On20November2012,itwasreportedthatinvestigatorswerepursuingorganisedcrimeasoneoftheirmainlinesofenquiry.Inaddition,investigatorsfoundfingerprints,suspectedtobelongtothoseresponsible,onatruckleft150metresfromthescene.On29November2012,thefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)reportedlycommentedthatSilva’scasemaybepassedontolocalauthoritiesbecausehewasnotactiveasajournalistatthetimehismurder.Shealsoannouncedthatthesheernumberofavenuesforinvestigationmadeitimpracticalforherofficetoinvestigatethecase.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN74/12

JorgeTORRESPALACIOS:Profession:writerofpoliticalcolumn‘NothingPersonal’forweeklynewspaperElDictamendeGuerrero,correspondentforthenewspaperNovedades,formercorrespondentforTelevisa,hostofanightlynewsprogrammeonRadioyTelevisióndeGuerrero,andspokesmanforthepublichealthdepartmentofAcapulcoDateofdeath:Between29Mayand2June2014Detailsofdeath:Torreswasreportedlykidnappedon29May2014by12armedmendrivingthreevehicles.Hisbody,whichreportedlyboremarksoftorture,wasfoundinsideabagsemi-buriedinaclandestinegraveon2June2014.Earlyreportsindicatedthecauseofdeathwasasphyxia,howeverlaterreportssuggestthathewasdecapitatedanddismembered.Detailsofinvestigation:Ananonymoustip-offledtheauthoritiestothelocationofTorres’bodyinPlandelosAmantes,Acapulco,accordingtonewsreports.AninvestigationbyMinisterialPoliceandagentsofthepublicprosecutor’sofficewasreportedtobeunderway,withtheteamreportedlycollectingevidenceandwitnessstatements.Accordingtonewsreports,threesuspectsconnectedtoTorres’murderwerearrestedbypoliceinAcapulcoon13February2015.Themenarealsobeinginvestigatedforattacksinseveralschools.Update:Accordingtoalocalnewsreportfrom6June2016,theAttorneyGeneralhadpassedthecasebacktotheGuerrerostateprosecutor.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,Torres’columnforElDictamendeGuerrerooftenreportedontheregion’shighlevelofviolentcrime.ArecentarticlereferredtopublicangerinChilpacingo,theGuerrerostatecapital,andprotestsagainsttheallegedinvolvementofpublicofficialsincrime,includingarbitraryarrests,extortionandabduction.BothTorres’fatherandbrotherwereshotdeadinJanuary2001.AswiththemurderofGregorioJimenezdelaCruz(seeabove),journalistscameoutonthestreetstoprotestTorres’abduction,demandinghissafereturn.PENAction:PENMexico5June2014statementJudicialconcern

EnriqueARANDAOCHOA:Profession:universityteacherandwriterSentence:57yearsinprison,reducedto24yearsandsixmonthsExpiry:2022Dateofarrest:25June1996.Arandahasbeenimprisonedalongwithhisbrother,AdriánArandaOchoa,since1996forallegedlykidnappingthedaughterofapolitician.Placeofdetention:ImprisonedinReclusorioSurprisoninMexicoCityasofOctober2010andbelievedstilltobeheldthereasof31December2015.Detailsofarrest:Arrestedtogether,theArandabrotherswereaccusedofseveralcrimes,includingkidnappingandcarryingweapons.TheywerelaterchargedwithkidnappingLorenaPérez-JácomeF.,atelevisionpresenterandthedaughterofanInstitutionalRevolutionaryParty

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(PRI)politicianwhohasbeenasenatorandpresidentialspokesman.Theywerealsochargedwithrobbery.ThebrotherswereallegedlytorturedwhileinthecustodyofthepoliceandPublicMinistryandforcedtosignconfessions.Detailsoftrial:InAugust1997,bothbrothersweresentencedto57yearsinprison,confirmedinDecemberthatyear.Theallegationsoftorturewerenottakenintoaccount.Followingaretrial,thebrothers’sentencewasreducedto40yearsinJanuary2005.Thiswasfurtherreducedto32yearsinMarch2007aftertherobberychargewasdropped,andinDecember2008to24yearsandsixmonths.EnriqueArandabelieveshisarrestandconvictionwereduetohispoliticalactivismandopencriticismoftheformerPRIadministration.Whenhewasinitiallydetainedhewasquestionedabouthispoliticalactivities.Heclaimsthatthelegalprocesshasbeenmarredbypoliticalpressurethroughout.Conditionsindetention:Thebrothersfiledacomplaintagainstthestatefortortureandabuseofauthority.InMay1999,amedicalcertificatewasissuedshowingthattheyhadbeentortured.In2002,theHumanRightsCommissionoftheFederalDistrict(CDHDF)issuedarecommendationcallingforthoseresponsiblefortorturingtheArandabrotherstobebroughttojusticeandthatthebrothersshouldbeawardedreparations.TherecommendationwasacceptedbytheAttorneyGeneral,howeverithasyettobeimplemented.Thebrothershaverequestedreleasedonparole.Accordingtoreports,EnriqueArandawasdeniedreleaseonparoleatahearingon9August2013.Thepresidingjudgereportedlyruledthathehadnotfulfilledalltherequirementsofthelawinordertobepermittedparole.Whilehehadmettheprovisionofgoodconductwhileinprison,itwasdeterminedthathehadnotsufficientlyparticipatedinwork,educational,sportingorotheractivitiesorganisedbytheprison.InApril2014,theCentrodeDerechosHumanosFrayFranciscodeVitoriasubmittedthecaseoftheArandabrotherstotheUNSpecialRapporteuronTorture.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENposition:PENholdsnopositiononAranda’sguiltorinnocence.ItisconcernedbytheallegationsthathewastorturedandcallsontheMexicanauthoritiestoimplementCDHDF’srecommendation.Background:EnriqueArandalecturedforseveralyearsinpoliticalpsychologyattheIberoamericanUniversityinMexicoandisaformerpresidentoftheMexicanAssociationofPsychologists.Sincehisimprisonment,hehasbecomeaprolificwriter,havingproducedsixbooksofpoems,shortstories,plays,novelsandnon-fiction,allunpublishedtodate.Hisworkhasreportedlyearnedhimsome11nationalawards.AdriánArandaOchoaisanaccountant.

DeathThreat

*PedroCANCHÉProfession:journalist,includingforhiswebsitewww.noticiaspedrocanche.comDateofthreat:25May–1June2016Detailsofthreat:Canchéreportedlyreceivedanonymousphonecallsthreateninghimwithdeathinrun-uptotheelectionsforstategovernorswhichweretotakeplaceon5June.Amongstotherthreats,thecallerreportedlyreferredtothephotographerRubénEspinosa,whowasmurderedon31July2015,askingCanchéifhewantedthesametohappentohim.Canchécouldnotreportthethreatstothepolice,ashewasunabletorecordthecalls.Hereportedlybelievesthethreatswerecausedbyhisdecisionnottosupportanypartyorcandidateaheadoftheelection.CanchéisbasedinthestateofQuintanaRoobutrelocatedtoMexicoCityforsecurityreasonsduringtheelectionperiod.Background:CanchéisreportedlyacriticoftheoutgoinggovernorofQuintanaRoostate,RobertoBorge,oftherulingPartyoftheInstitutionalRevolution(PartidoRevolucionarioInstitucional–PRI).In2015Canchéwasimprisonedforninemonthsonchargesofsabotageinrelationtotheallegedorganisationofprotestsagainsthighwaterbills

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intheregionsouthofCancún,beforetheconvictionwasthrownoutbyafederaljudge.InFebruary2016,Canchéwasreportedlytargetedbyasmearcampaignaccusinghimofillegaltraffickingoftropicallumberandofhavingadepravedlifestyle.Thearticleswerepublishedby,amongstothers,Repuesta,atabloidnewswebsitethatreportedlyhadclosetiestowhoeverisingovernment(seebelowunder‘harassed’).Attacked

*JorgeMARTÍNEZCASTENADAProfession:journalistDateofattack:6January2016Detailsofattack:Accordingtonewsreports,MartínezwasbeatenbythesonofagasstationownerwhilehewaswalkinginthemainsquareofTacámbaro,Michoácanstate.Otherinformation:Theattackerwasarrestedbutwasreleasedshortlyafterwardsduetotheinfluenceofhisfather,accordingtonewsreports.TheOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralofMichoácanreportedlystatedonTwitterthattherewouldbenoimpunityinthiscase.*PedroSALAGARCÍA:Profession:journalistforthedailynewspapersTabascoHoyandElCriolloDateofattack:10February2016Detailsofattack:SalawasattackedinhishomeinEmilianoZapata,Tabascostate.Accordingtonewsreports,twoarmedmenenteredSala’shousewearingmotorcyclehelmetscoveringtheirfacesandtoldhimthattheyhadorderstokillhim.Theyhithiminthefacewithapistol,hithislegsandfeetandalsohitandthreatenedSala’swife,OdiliaArcosLópez,whowascallingforhelp.Whenneighbourswerealertedbyherscreams,theassailantsleftonamotorcycle,accordingtonewsreports.Salawasleftunconsciousandspentthreedaysinhospitalaftertheattack.Detailsofinvestigation:ThefederalSpecialProsecutor’sOfficeforCrimesagainstFreeExpression(FEADLE)openedaninvestigationintotheattack.Background:Salawritescriticallyaboutlocalauthoritiesandcorruption.Accordingtonewsreports,hehadwrittenaseriesofarticlesaccusinglocalauthoritiesofcorruption,suchasanarticleentitled‘ThecabinetinZapataisrecycled;Accusationsthattheex-presidentcontrolstownhall’,whichwaspublishedinTabascoHoyon13January2016.SalahadreportedlyreceiveddeaththreatsviaFacebookandphonecallstohishousebeforetheattack.Otherinformation:SalaalsoworksasafreelancereporterforthelocalradiostationsLaZdeMacuspanaandXezxVozdelUsumacinta.HeistheleaderoftheTabascoAssociationofJournalists(ATP).KarlaJanethSILVA(f):Profession:reporterforElHeraldodeLeónnewspaperDateofattack:4September2014Detailsofattack:Silvawasreportedlybeatenandkickedinthechestandheadbythreearmedmenwhobrokeintothenewspaper’sofficesinSilao,Guanjuatostate,on4September2014.Aftertheattack,heraggressorsreportedlywarnedhertochangethetoneofherreportingandstolehercomputerandtelephone.Silvawasadmittedtohospitalasaresultofherinjuries.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtoSinEmbargo,theUnitedNation’sMexicoOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights(OHCHR)hastakenchargeoftheinvestigationintoSilva’sattack.RepresentativesoftheOHCHRaresaidtohavevisitedthenewspaper’sofficesinordertomeetwithSilvainlateSeptember2014.Fourmenwerearrestedinconnectionwiththeattackwhilegovernmentofficialsareimplicatedinits

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instigation,includingtheformerdirectorofPublicSecurityinSilaowhoisallegedtohaveorderedtheattack.On12March2015,itwasreportedthatthefederalSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)wouldnotbepursuingcriminalactionagainstSilva’sassailantsandthattheyhadclosedthecase.FEADLEreportedlyclaimedthattheyhadreachedthisdecisionastheywishedtoavoidviolatingtheprincipleofNebisinídem,whichestablishesthatanaccusedmaynotbetriedforthesamecrimetwice.Accordingtomediareports,oneofherconfessedaggressorswasreleasedafterpayingafine.Update:On11March2016theformermayorofSilao,EnriqueBenjamínSolísArzola,wasreportedlyarrestedandtakenintocustodyfortwomonthsfollowingalocalcourtruling;heisaccusedofbeingthemastermindbehindtheattackonSilva.On30March2016,theformerdirectorofthemunicipalpoliceofSilao,NicasioAguirreGuerrero,wasalsoarrestedafterbeingaccusedofhavingorderedtheattack.Accordingtonewsreports,theinvestigationsbytheMexicanauthoritiesrevealedthatGuerreroreceivedordersfromSolístocoordinatetheattack.AguirreGuerrerospoketotheformeroperationalcoordinatoroftheSilaopolice,JorgeAlejandroFonsecaDurán,abouttheplantoattackSilvaandtheythenhiredtheassailants.Nofurtherdetailsasof30June2016.Background:SilvacoverslocalgovernmentstoriesforElHeraldodeLeónandhadrecentlybeencriticalofthemunicipalauthoritiesandtheescalatingcrimerateinthecityofSilao.PENAction:Mentionedin2014resolutiononMexicoThreatened

*HéctorDEMAULÉONProfession:journalistandauthorDateofbirth:c.1963Dateofthreat:May–June2016Detailsofthreat:Accordingtonewsreports,DeMauléonreceivedthreatsviaTwitterafterhepublishedaseriesofarticlesaboutallegeddrugandweapondealingbytheAsambleadeBarrios(AssemblyofNeighbourhoods)groupinMexicoCity.ThethreatsbeganafterhisfirstarticleappearedinMay2016andincreasedafterhisthirdcolumnwaspublishedinearlyJune,inparticularsince22JunewhenaraidwascarriedoutbytheMexicoCityAttorneyGeneral’sOffice.Otherinformation:DeMauléonacolumnistforthedailynewspaperElUniversal,thesubeditorofthemagazineNexos,directoroftheTVprogramElFocoandanauthor;hisbooksincludeLaperfectaespiral(ThePerfectSpiral),ElsecretodelaNocheTristeandLaciudadquenosinventa.PENAction:RAN13/16-24June2016AnabelHERNÁNDEZ(f):Profession:award-winningjournalistandauthor,currentlyafreelancecontributortotheinvestigativenewsweeklymagazineProcesoandthedailynewspaperReforma(previouslyworkedforMilenio,itsinvestigativesupplementLaRevista(nowemeequis)andnewspaperandwebsiteReporteÍndigo).HernándezalsowritesbooksoncorruptionandtheabuseofpowerinMexicanpolitics,includingLaFamiliaPresidencial(2005),FindefiestaenLosPinos(2006),LosSeñoresdelNarco(Grijalbo,RandomHouseMondadori,2010)[translatedinEnglishasNarcoland:TheMexicanDrugLordsandtheirGodfathers,Verso,September2013]andMéxicoenllamas(2012).Detailsofthreats:Hernándezhasreceivedconstantdeaththreatssincelate2010,followingthepublicationofLosSeñoresdelNarco(2010)whichrevealsallegedlinksbetweendrugtraffickingcartelsandtheMexicanstate.Inthebook,shemakesanumberofcontroversialallegationsagainstpublicfigures,includingaccusing

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GenaroGarcíaLuna–whoatthetimewasFederalSecretaryofPublicSecurity–ofillicitenrichmentandcomplicitywithorganisedcrimewhilehewasservingasformerpresidentFelipe’sCalderón’schiefofpolice.InDecember2010,HernándezmadepublicanallegedplottohaveherkilledinvolvingofficialsworkingforGarcíaLunaandthefederalpolice.Hernández’sourceshavebeensubjectedtoharassment,intimidationandevenmurder.(See2014CaseListfordetailsofpastthreats).AccordingtoHernández,whohasbeenlivinginexilesince2014,agroupofunknownpeoplebrokeintoherapartmentinMexicoCityon4November2015insuspiciouscircumstances.Threeoftheassailantsforcedentrytotheblockwhereherapartmentislocatedwiththeirfacesuncovered,despitethevisiblepresenceofsecuritycameras.Twoofthemthenenteredherapartmentwheretheyremainedfor20minutes,whilethethirdstayedoutside.Noneofthemmadeanyattempttofleeorhidewhenaresidentcameintothebuildingduringthattime.Theystolenothingofanyvalue,butmovedapersonalobject.Detailsofinvestigations:Thejournalisthasfilednumerouscomplaintswithfederalandlocalauthoritiesbutreportsthattheinvestigationshavelednowhere.Meanwhile,sheandherfamilycontinuetobesubjectedtothreatsandharassmentdespitepoliceprotection.Asaresult,HernándezleftMexicoinSeptember2014.Hernándezreportedthe2015break-intothefederaljournalists’protectionmechanism,whichreportedtheincidenttotheSpecialProsecutorforCrimesagainstFreedomofExpression(FiscalíaEspecialparalaAtencióndeDelitoscometidosencontradelaLibertaddeExpresión-FEADLE)andopenedaninvestigation.However,accordingtoHernández,theAttorneyGeneral’soffice(ProcuraduríaGeneraldelaRepública-PGR)hasmadenoprogressinitsinvestigation,despitehavingaccesstosecuritycamerafootageshowingtheassailants’faces,carregistrationnumberandthetimetheincidentoccurred.InNovember2015,HernándezreportedthatFEADLEwasrefusingtoallowhertoappointalawyertoaccessandreviewherlegalfileinordertoensureduediligence.Shearguedthatthisaffectsherabilitytotakeappropriatesecuritymeasurestoprotectherselfandherfamily.Update:AccordingtoHernández,asof9June2016,therehadstillbeennoarrestsinconnectionwiththebreak-intoherapartmentinNovember2015.SheremainedconcernedforhersafetyshouldshereturntoMexico.Background:Hernándezbelievesthatthe2015break-inwasconnectedtohercurrentjournalisticinvestigations.Specifically,betweenDecember2014andOctober2015sheauthoredaseriesofpiecesallegingtheinvolvementofMexicansecurityandintelligenceservicesintheenforceddisappearanceandassumeddeathof43traineeteachersinAyotzinapa,Guerrerostate,inSeptember2014.Shealsopublishedtwoarticlesallegingcollusionbythefederal,policeandprisonauthoritiesindrugtraffickerJoaquínGuzmánLoera’sJuly2015escapefromprison(Procesomagazine,August2015).

Harassed

*PedroCANCHÉProfession:journalist,includingforhiswebsitewww.noticiaspedrocanche.comDateofharassment:February2016Detailsofharassment:InFebruary2016,Canchéwasreportedlytargetedbyasmearcampaignaccusinghimofillegaltraffickingoftropicallumberandofhavingadepravedlifestyle.Thearticleswerepublishedby,amongtothers,Repuesta,atabloidnewswebsitethatreportedlyhadclosetiestowhoeverisingovernment.Background:CanchéisreportedlyacriticoftheoutgoinggovernorofQuintanaRoostate,RobertoBorge,oftherulingPartyoftheInstitutionalRevolution(PartidoRevolucionarioInstitucional–PRI).In2015,Canchéwasimprisonedforninemonthsonchargesofsabotageinrelationtotheallegedorganisationofprotestsagainsthighwaterbillsintheregionsouth

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ofCancún,beforetheconvictionwasthrownoutbyafederaljudge.Otherinformation:Canchéhasalsoreceiveddeaththreatsin2016(seeabove).*RoxanaROMERO(f)Profession:journalistforthenewspaperVanguardíaDateofharassment:4and6May2016Detailsofharassment:On4May2016,RomerowasfollowedbytwomeninacaronherwayhomefromworkinSaltillo,Coahuilastate,accordingtonewsreports.Whenshereachedherhousethecarreportedlystoppedatastreetcornernearby,droveawayandshortlyafterwardspassedbyherhouseagain.ThemeninthecarthatfollowedRomerohadbeenseennearthenewspaper’seditorialofficesthedaybefore.Asaresult,Romerowasgivenatemporaryleaveofabsencefromworkandasecurityguardatherhome.On6May,itwasannouncedthattheformergovernorofCoahuila,HumbertoMoreira,filedacomplaintagainstRomeroandVanguardíafor‘moraldamages’.ThecomplaintrelatestoanarticlebyRomeropublishedinFebruary2016thatstatesthattherewereirregularitieswhenthegovernmentgrantedMoreiraapensioninDecember2015.Background:AccordingtoVanguardía,theharassmentofRomeroispartofasmearcampaignagainstthenewspaper,whichitdenouncedinanarticlepublishedon5May.Accordingtonewsreports,therehasbeenawaveofrecentattacksagainstthenewspaper.Since27January,Vanguardía’sjournalistshavebeeninsultedonseveralwebsitesthatseemtohavebeencreatedonlyforthispurpose.On25April,therewasaDistributedDenialofService(DDoS)attackoriginatingfromthestatesofCoahuila,PueblaandNuevoLeónthataimedatmakingVanguardía’swebsiteunavailablebutthatitsstaffwereabletoblock.On6May,theranchofthenewspaper’sowner,ArmandoCastillaGalindo,wasraidedbystatepoliceinordertoevicthimbecauseofanunpaidmortgagedebtfrom2009.Theraidwasauthorisedbyacourtorderandreportedlyconductedwithunusualforce.Otherinformation:Vanguardíahasalsobeenthetargetofattacksinpreviousyears:inMay2011,ahandgrenadewasthrownatitsofficesinSaltilloandinApril2013DanielAlejandroMartínezBalzaldúa,aphotographerforthenewspaper,wasmurdered.PARAGUAY

Killed:impunity

PabloMEDINAVELÁZQUEZ:Profession:correspondentfordailynewspaperABCColorDateofdeath:16October2014Detailsofdeath:Medina(56)wasreportedlyshotdeadbyunknownassailantsinthenorth-easterndepartmentofCanindeyúashewasreturninghomeafterdoingareportintheKo’êPorãindigenouscommunityinVillaYgatimí.Hisassailants,wearingcamouflage,reportedlyaskedhimtoidentifyhimselfbeforetheyshothimseveraltimesintheheadandchest.Medinadiedatthescene,whilehisassistantdiedonthewaytohospitalfrominjuriesshesustainedintheattack.Detailsofinvestigation:Policereportedlysuspectedlocaldrugtraffickersandhadarrestedfoursuspectsby17October2014,thedayafterMedina’smurder.On4March2015,BrazilianauthoritiesreportedlycapturedVilmarAcostaMarques,aParaguayannationalandformermayorofYpejhúwhoisaccusedofbeingthemastermindofMedina’smurder,inNaviraía,MatoGrossodoSulstate,Brazil.MedinahadreportedlylinkedAcostatodrugtraffickingandhomicidesinhisreporting.AccordingtoJuly2015reportsbyABCColor,thesisterofMedina’sassistanttestifiedbeforeacourtidentifying

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WilsonAcostaMarques–brotherofVilmarAcostaMarques–asthepersonwhopulledthetrigger.VilmarAcostaAcostawasextraditedtoParaguayfromBrazilon17November2015.AcostaiscurrentlydetainedinParaguaywhereheisfacingmurdercharges.Theprosecutionisalsoseekingfiveyears’imprisonmentforAcosta´sdriverfornothavingreportedthecrime.Update:On9January2016,FlavioAcostaRiveros,Accosta’snephewwasreportedlyarrestedbypoliceinParanástate,Brazil,onsuspicionofcarryingoutthemurder,afterhisBrazilianpartnerturnedhiminwhenshereportedhimfordomesticviolence;Paraguayhassoughthisextradition.WilsonAcostaMarques,Acosta’sbrother,isalsosoughtforarrestbutremainsatlarge.On14June2016,itwasreportedthatacourtofappealhadrejectedanattemptbyVilmarAcostaMarques’defencetohavethejudgeremovedfromthecaseforallegedpartiality.Background:Canindeyúisknownforthetraffickingofmarijuanaandtimber.Medinahadregularlyreceivedthreatsrelatedtohisreporting.Inpreviousyearshehadbeenaffordedtheprotectionofapoliceescort,howeverthiswaswithdrawninSeptember2013.Ontrial

NelsonAGUILERA:Profession:writerandauthorofaseriesofchildren’sstories,memberofPENParaguayandteacherSentence:30monthsinprisonDetailsoftrial:Aguilerawasconvictedofplagiarismon4November2013.Hislawyerfiledanappealon25November2013withtheChamberofAppeals.AccordingtoAguilera,40witnesseswerepreventedfromtestifyinginhisdefenceasthejudgeruledthattheyhadbeenpresentedtoolate.TheseincludedarecognisedlegalexpertinplagiarismemployedbythecourttoinvestigatethecaseagainstAguilerawhoarguedthatAguileradidnothaveacasetoanswer.InJune2014,Aguilera’sconvictionandsentencewasconfirmedbytheChamberofAppealinAsunción.InNovember2015,thejudgesresponsibleforhistrialallowedAguileratoflytotheUnitedStatestoattendhisson’swedding.Update:AccordingtoAguilera,hisappealtotheconstitutionalsectionoftheSupremeCourtwasatastandstillasofMarch2016.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:ThecaserelatestoalawsuitfiledbywriterMariaEugeniaGaraythatbeganin2010.GarayallegedthatAguilerahadplagiarisedheradultfictionnovelEltúneldeltiempo(TheTunnelofTime)(2005)inthesecondinhisseriesofchildren’sfictionnovelsKarumbita:Lapatriota(Karumbita:ThePatriot)(AlfaguaraInfantil,2010).Anumberofindependentexpertsandwritershaveprovidedadetailedanalysisofbothworksandfoundthatthesimilaritiesinthemcannotbedescribedasplagiarism.Theyarguethatwhiletheybothfeaturesimilarthematicelements,suchastimetravel,andsignificantdatesinParaguayanhistory,themannerinwhichtheyareusedissignificantlydifferent.Theexpertsaddthattimetravelhasbeenusedasathemethroughoutliteratureandassuchitsusealonecannotconstituteplagiarism.Theanalysisalsoshowedthattheliterarystyles,structureandargumentoftheworksdiffersignificantlyandthatAguilerahadnottakenanysentencesorparagraphsfromGaray’swork.TherehasbeensomesuggestionthatthesentenceforplagiarismmayhavebeeninfluencedbythefactthatGaray’sbrother,CésarGarayZuccolillo,isministeroftheSupremeCourtofJustice.PENAction:DayoftheImprisonedWriterCase2015;openletterfromLuisaValenzuela

Harassed*AldoBENÍTEZ

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Profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperLaNaciónDateofharassment:26April2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,aseriesofarticlesthatBenítezplannedtopublishonpaedophiliaamongpriestsoftheParaguayanchurchwassuspendedbyLaNaciónafterthefirstarticleappearedon22April2016.ThisreportedlyfollowedarequestbytheApostolicNunciaturetoPresidentHoracioCartestosuspendpublicationofthearticlesastheywouldcreate‘greattensions’withinthechurch.TheordertocensorthearticleswasreportedlyissuedbySarahCartes,sisterofPresidentCartesandownerofLaNación.Background:Thearticlesweretobepublishedunderthetitleof‘IglesiaOscura’(DarkChurch)andrevealedinformationaboutcomplicityinthechurchhierarchyinthepresenceofpriestswhopreviouslyhadbeenaccusedofpaedophilia.

PERU

Killed:impunity

FernandoRAYMONDIURIBE:Profession:reporterforCaretasmagazineandfinal-yearstudentofjournalism.Dateofdeath:9November2014Detailsofdeath:Raymondi(22)wasreportedlyshotdeadathisfather’sgrocerystoreinSanVicentedeCañetebytwounknownassailants.Hewasstandingoutsidetheshopalongwithafriendwhenthemenappearedonamotorcycle,accordingtolocalnewsreports.TheassailantsthenreportedlyorderedRaymondiintotheshopandaskedformoney.Ashisfatherreachedformoneytogivethem,oneoftheassailantsreportedlyshotRaymondiinthechest.Themenfledthesceneempty-handed.Raymondidiedenroutetohospital.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtoCaretas,Cañetepolicearrivedatthescenetwohoursaftertheshooting;eighthourslatertheLimaHomicideDivision(DivisióndeHomicidiosdeLima)tookoverthecase.Accordingtonewsreports,on11November2014headofthePeruvianPolice,GeneralJorgeFloresGoicochea,reportedlyrejectedanyconnectionbetweenRaymondi’sdeathandhisworkasajournalist,arguingthatpolicebelievedthatRaymondiwasavictimofcircumstance,caughtupinanattemptedrobberygonewrong.Unidentifiedpoliceofficersreportedlydisagreedwiththegeneral’sstatement,arguingthatnohypothesishadbeenruledout–assertionsthatweresupportedbytheMinisterfortheInterior,accordingtomediareports.Thepolicehadreportedlyidentifiedfiveindividualsassuspects.AccordingtoreportsbyCaretasdated4June2015,theallocatedtimefortheinvestigationelapsedinMarch2015,leadingtheprosecutorinchargeofthecasetoaskforanextension.Anewprosecutorhadalsobeenbroughtontoinvestigatethecase.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:RaymondibeganworkingforCaretasinMarch2014,whileinthefinalyearofhisjournalismdegreeatUniversidadSanMartíndePorres,andhadbeguncoveringorganisedcrimeandcorruptionthatJuly.HehadrecentlybeguninvestigatinganallegedspateofmurdersinCañete,includingseveralintheconstructionindustry.Accordingtohiseditor,hehadbeenworkingonastoryaboutkillingbygangswhohadallegedlybeenextortingconstructioncompaniesinthetown.Raymondihadnotreportedreceivinganythreats.

Sentenced*RafaelLEÓNRODRÍGUEZ(RafoLEÓN):

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Profession:journalist,author,columnistfortheLima-basedweeklynewsmagazineCaretas,alsoknownforhistravelaccountsandshortstories.Dateofbirth:1950Sentence:Aone-yearsuspendedprisonsentenceandafineof6,000Soles(approx.USD$1,800)indamagespayabletotheplaintiff,theformereditorofthedailynewspaperElComercioMarthaMeierMiróQuesadaDetailsoftrial:On3May2016,ajudgeinthe40thCriminalCourtinLimafoundLeónguiltyof‘aggravateddefamation’.ThesuspensionofthesentenceissubjecttoLeón’scompletionofoneyearof‘goodbehaviour’,requiring him to report regularly to the authorities.Accordingtomediareports,ifLeónbreaksanyoftheserules,hemightfaceaprisonsentence.Leónappealedthesentenceimmediatelyafterthesentencewasread,accordingtohislawyer.Thesentencewillnotcomeintoeffectuntilithasbeenconfirmed.[Stoppress:InSeptemberitwasannouncedthatLeónwascleared of defaming a fellow journalist and will not serve a 12-month suspended sentence handed down in May nor pay the plaintiff damages. ]Background:ThecriminaldefamationcasewasbroughtagainstLeónin2014byMarthaMeierMiróQuesada,thengeneraleditorandcolumnistforElComercio.ThelawsuitstemsfromasatiricalopinionpieceLeónpublishedinhisregularcolumninCaretasinJune2014inresponsetoanearliercolumnbyMeierinElComerciocriticisingthethenMayorofLima,SusanaVillarándelaPuente.On23March2016,Leónwassummonedtoappearincourton3Mayfortherulingtoberead–morethanninemonthsafterthetrialendedinJuly2015.León’sdefencecalledforthesentencetobeannulledandanewtrialtobeheld,allegingunjustifieddelaysandirregularitiesindueprocess.Thisrequest,supportedbythePeruvianfreeexpressionorganisationInstitutodePrensaySociedad(IPYS),wasdeniedbythecourt.PENAction:CalltoAction–27April2016*FernandoVALENCIAOSORIOProfession:formereditoroftheLima-baseddailynewspaperDiario16Sentence:20-monthsuspendedprisonsentenceandafineof100,000sols(US$30,595)indamagesDetailsoftrial:On18April2016,ValenciawassentencedonappealforchargesofdefamationoftheformerPeruvianpresidentAlanGarcía.Valenciaisbelievedtohaveappealedtheconviction.HislawyersarealsoexpectedtosubmithiscasetotheInter-AmericanCommissiononHumanRights(IACHR)onthebasisthatthesentenceviolateshisrighttofreedomofexpression.[Stoppress:On9August2016,itwasreportedthatValencia’sconvictionhadbeenoverturned.]Background:García,whoservedaspresidentfrom1985-90andfrom2006-11,filedalawsuitinMarch2013accusingValenciaofdamaginghisreputationinafront-pagestorythatyear.Inthearticle,currentpresidentOllantaHumalareportedlycriticiseddelaysincompletinginfrastructureprojectsunderpreviousadministrationsandallegedcorruption.AlthoughDiario16didnotnameGarcíainthestoryitusedaphotoofhiminthelayout.Valenciawasreportedlyacquittedinthefirstinstancebutwasconvictedonappeal.Garcíahasbeeninvestigatedforcorruptiononnumerousoccasionssinceheleftofficein2011buthasnotbeenchargedanddeniesanywrongdoing.Diario16reportedlyhasareputationforcriticisingGarcía,andthelawsuitwasintendedtointimidatethenewspaper,Valencia’slawyer,CarlosRiveraPaz,hassaid.PENAction:MentionedinCalltoAction–27April2016;CalltoAction12May2016Ontrial

*JuanJoséGARRIDOProfession:directorofthenewspaperPerú21Detailsoftrial:Accordingtonewsreports,GarridohasbeenaccusedofcriminaldefamationbythegovernorofCallaoprovince,Félix

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Moreno.Morenoalsosuedthenewspaperfor700,000Sols(approx.US$207,000)indamages.Thedefamationsuitwasfiledon15April2016butGarridoreportedlyonlyfoundoutaboutiton16May2016.Background:TheaccusationswerereportedlymadeinrelationtoareportpublishedbyPerú21inOctober2015onirregularitiesinalanddealthatMorenowasinvolvedin.Thearticlerevealsaninvestigationbytheattorneygeneralintofourprosecutorsandajudge,whodidnotproperlyinvestigateanallegedlyillegalevictionthatwasorderedbyMorenoaspartofalanddeal.

UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA

Killed

*Jacinto(Jay)TORRESHERNÁNDEZProfession:freelancejournalistforthenewspaperLaEstrellaDateofbirth:c.1959Dateofdeath:13June2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,Torreswentmissingon10June.HisbodywasreportedlyfoundinthebackyardofahousethatwasforsaleinGarland,asuburbofDallas,Texas.Torresalsoworkedasarealestateagentandaccordingtonewsreportshewasconsideringinvestinginthehouse.TheGarlandPoliceDepartmentstatedinapressreleasethatTorreshaddiedfromagunshotwoundandthathehadbeenkilledseveraldaysbeforehewasfound.Thepolicearereportedlyfollowingvariousleadsandtheinvestigationison-going.Background:TorrescoveredlocalsocialissuesforLaEstrella;hisrecentarticleswereaboutresidents'opinionsontheMexicanelections,alocalmeetingonthedangersofunderagedrinking,andtheeffectofUSvoteridentificationlaws.Hisdaughter,AlineTorres,reportedlystatedatapressconferencethathehadbeenworkingonsensitiveissuesrelatingtoillegalimmigrationandhumantrafficking.Hisson,GibránTorres,saidthathisfatherhadbeenthinkingaboutinstallingasecuritysystemontheirhouseandthathehadmentionedhisinvestigationsonsensitivetopicsaswellashisconcernsaboutdealingwithangrytenants,accordingtoCommitteetoProtectJournalists.Otherinformation:BorninMonterrey,Mexico,TorresmigratedtotheUSAin1979.HehadreportedlybeencontributingtoLaEstrella,theSpanisheditionofthenewspaperStarTelegram,,forabout20years.HewasamemberoftheNationalAssociationofHispanicJournalists.PENAction:PENInternational-PENAmericanCenterstatement21June2016

OnTrial

RyanREILLY,profession:reporterwiththeHuffingtonPostWesleyLOWERY,profession:reporterwithTheWashingtonPostDetailsoftrial:ThejournalistswerereportedlyarrestedbypoliceofficersattemptingtoclearaMcDonaldsrestaurantinFerguson,MissouriinAugust2014ReillyandLowerywerecoveringeventsfollowingthefatalshootingofunarmedblackteenagerMichaelBrownbyapoliceofficeron9August2014.Accordingtoreports,policereportedlyslammedLoweryintoadrinksmachineaftergivinghimconflictinginstructionsastowheretoexittherestaurant.Bothwerereleased45minuteslaterwithoutbeingcharged.Accordingto11August2015reports,ReillyandLowerywerefaceingprosecutionfortrespassingandinterferingwithapoliceofficer.Acourtsummonsdated6August2015orderedLowerytoappearincourton24August.Update:On19April2016,itwasreportedthatthecaseswere

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on-going.InOctober2015,ReillyandLoweryhadreportedlyfiledmotionstodismissthechargesduetolackofjurisdiction.TheseweredeniedinJanuary2016onthegroundsthatthelackofjurisdictionwasirrelevant,asthecountyhademergencypowerstochargepeople.Thejudgereportedlyalsorefusedthejournalists’requesttohavetheofficerswhohadarrestedthemdeposedasgovernmentwitnesses.ReillyandLowerythenfiledseparatewritstochallengetheserulings.

Judicialconcern

MumiaABU-JAMAL:Profession:journalistandauthorSentence:Lifeimprisonmentwithoutparole.Detailsoftrial:Abu-JamalwassentencedtodeathforthemurderofpoliceofficerDanielFaulknerin1982.Amidseriousconcernsaboutthefairnessofhistrial,whichdidnotmeetinternationalfairtrialstandardsorthoseguaranteedbytheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,hisdeathsentencewascommutedtolifeimprisonmentwithoutparolein2011.Abu-Jamalhasconsistentlydeniedanyinvolvementinthemurder,andtheevidencepresentedattrialwasreportedlycontradictoryandincomplete.However,hislawyershaveneverbeensuccessfulintheirrequestforhimtobegrantedare-trial.MumiaAbu-Jamalcontinuestocallforafairtrial,butsincealloptionsforappealhavebeenexhausted,anychanceofaretrialisnowunlikely.Healthconcerns:Accordingtoreports,Abu-Jamalwashospitalisedon31March2015aftergoingintodiabeticshock.TherearefurtherreportsthathehasHepatitisC,type-2diabetesandsuffersfromsevereskinrashes.AccordingtoDecember2015reports,Abu-JamalwassuccessfulinsecuringacourthearingregardinghisHepatitisCcondition.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:DespitethedifficultconditionsofhisdetainmentinadeathrowcellinWaynesburg,Pennsylvania,Abu-Jamalcontinuestoworkasawriterandjournalist.Hehaswrittensevenbooksinprison,makinghimaninternationallyrenownedactivistagainstdeathpenalty.PENPosition:PENconsidersthatlifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofparolemayamounttotortureorotherill-treatment.PENiscallingfortheauthoritiestotakethenecessarystepstoensurethatMumiaAbu-Jamalisgiventheopportunitytohavehissentenceoflifeimprisonmentwithoutparolereviewed.PENActions:PENInternationalResolution2014(seealsopreviousCaseLists)

Harassed

*JuliaIOFFE(f)

Profession:freelancejournalistforthemagazineTheNewYorker,thedailynewspaperNewYorkTimesandrecentlyforthemagazineGQDateofharassment:28April2016Detailsofharassment:Ioffehasreportedlybeenreceivingthreateningandanti-SemiticphonecallsandonlinemessagesinresponsetoaprofileshewroteforGQaboutMelaniaTrump,thewifeofUS-presidencycandidateDonaldTrump.AccordingtoTheGuardian,thewaveofthreatsandanti-SemiticmessagesincludedaphonecallfromananonymouscallerwhoplayedaHitlerspeech,acallfromthefuneralcasketcompanyOvernightCaskets,TwitterpoststhatshowedherfacesuperimposedonphotoofanAuschwitzdetaineeandablogpostonthewhitesupremacistonlinesiteTheDailyStormerentitled“EmpressMelaniaAttackedbyFilthyRussianKikeJuliaIoffeinGQ!”.Detailsofinvestigation:IoffehasreportedlyfiledareportwiththeWashingtonDCpolicedepartment,whichhaslaunchedaninvestigationintothethreats.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,MelaniaTrumpblamedIoffefor

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coveringherunfairly,accusedherofhavinganagendaandcalledthearticle‘yetanotherexampleofthedishonestmediaandtheirdisingenuousreporting’inaFacebookpost.

VENEZUELA

Killed–impunity

JhonnyGONZÁLEZ:Profession:journalistforthesportsnewspaperLíderdeDeportesDateofdeath:3May2013Detailsofdeath:González(33)wasshotdeadashewasleavingthepaper’sofficesintheearlyhours.Itisthoughtthattheassailants,whointerceptedGonzálezontwomotorcyclesandinacar,wereattemptingtostealhiscar;whenthejournalistresisted,hewasshotthreetimesanddiedinstantly.GonzálezworkedthenightshiftatLíder,coveringboxing.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtoreportsdated3March2015,theauthoritieshaddetainedasuspectreportedlyresponsibleforacquiringthemurderweapon.Fourothersuspectswerebeinginvestigated.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

Detained:investigationLeocenisGARCÍA:Profession:editoranddirectorofSextoPoderDateofarrest:22March2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,GarcíawasarrestedbytheNationalGuardontheordersofCourt11.Hisdetentionwasorderedowingtohisallegedrepeatedfailuretoappearincourt.Heremainedunderhousearrestasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:Afterspending87daysonhungerstrikeinJune-September2015,GarcíawashospitalisedinearlySeptember2015andfollowinghisreleasewasputunderhousearrest.Background:García’sarrestreportedlyrelatestochargesofmoneylaundering,taxevasionandfinancingterroristactswhichdatebacktoJuly2013inconnectionwithwhichhespentfourmonthsindetention(see2014CaseList).Priortothatarrest,Garcíahadreportedlyaccusedthegovernmentofcarryingoutacampaignagainsthim.Hewaspreviouslydetainedwithouttrialfortwoyearsandtwomonthsbetween3May2008and6July2010forallegedlycausingdamagetoproperty,carryingagunwithoutapermitandresistingarrest.In2011,hewaschargedwith‘incitinghatred,insultingofficialsandoffendingwomen’afterthepublicationofasatiricalphotomontageon20August2011(seepreviouscaselists).[Stoppress:On5July2016,GarcíawasreportedlyarrestedandtransferredtotheofficesoftheBolivarianNationalIntelligenceService(ServicioBolivarianodeInteligenciaNacional–SEBIN)inCaracasfornothavingappearedincourtforthebeginningofhistrial.Hewasreportedlyinformedthathishousearresthadbeenrevoked.]VictorManuelGARCÍAHIDALGO:Profession:directorandeditorofthenewsportalInformeCifras,andformerpoliticianDateofarrest:1March2013Currentplaceofdetention:PreviouslyheldinYare3prison,hewasplacedunderhousearrestafterninemonthsinprisonDetailsoftrial:Accusedofparticipatinginthe2002coup,Garcíafaceschargesof‘civilrebellion’.Ifconvicted,hecouldfacebetween14and24yearsinprison.ThegovernmentisreportedlyusingasevidenceGarcía’sdocumentedopinionsofthe2002coup–broadcaston12April2012ontheprogramme’24horasdeVenevisión’–andaphotographofGarcíawithaknownopponent

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ofthelatePresidentCháveztakeninsidetheArmyGeneral’sCommandHeadquarters.García’sdefencehasreportedlyarguedthatGarcíawasthereinhiscapacityasajournalist.Thejournalistisreportedtobesubjecttoagagorder,whichbanshimfromwritingorspeakingtothepublic.Accordingto15July2015reportsbyInformeCifras,García’strialhadfinallyresumed.ApublicprosecutorreportedlyfiledfortheapplicationofatravelbaninordertoallowGarcíatoseekmedicaltreatmentforbackinjuriessustainedwhileheldinYare3prisonandallowhimtostandtrialwhileonbail.TheapplicationwasreportedlydeniedbythejudgewhoofferedareducedsentenceifGarcíaadmittedtheallegedoffences.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:Garcíahaslongstandingproblemswithhypertension,whichrequiresquarterlyassessments.However,Garcíahasreportedlybeendeniedaccesstoacardiologistonthreeseparateoccasions.Background:On11April2002amilitarycoupd’étatsucceededinoustingthelatePresidentHugoChávezforalmost48hours.

Sentenced

*DavidNATERAFEBRESProfession:presidentandeditorofthenewspaperCorreodelCaroníSentence:Fouryears’imprisonmentandafineof201,249bolívares(approx.US$20,100attheofficialrate,oraboutUS$201atblackmarketrates).ThecourtalsobannedCorreodelCaronífrompublishingstoriesabouttheplaintiff,businessmanYamalMustafá,andfromdisposingofitsassets.Detailsoftrial:MustafábroughtcriminaldefamationchargesagainstNateraandCorreodelCaroníinJuly2013.On11March2016,NaterawassentencedbytheSixthCriminalTrialCourtoftheStateofBolívaronchargesofcriminaldefamationunderArticles442and444(inrelationtoArticle99)ofthePenalCode.Heremainedfreependingappealbutwasreportedlybannedfromleavingthecountryandisobligedtoreporttothecourtevery30daysuntiltheconvictioncomesintoeffect.CorreodelCaroníreportedlyalsofacescivilpenaltiesthatcouldresultintheconfiscationofitsofficesanditsprintingpress.Laterthatmonth,Nateralodgedanappealbasedonallegedirregularitiesinhistrial,includingthefactthatthecaseshouldhavebeendroppedonvariousgroundsunderVenezuelanlaw,Naterawasnotallowedtopresentevidenceandthetrialwasnotfilmeddespitethisbeingmandatedbylaw.TheappealwasheardbyacourtinCiudadBolívar30June2016.[Stoppress:On18July,Naterawasinformedthathisappealhadbeenrejected.HestillhastheoptionoftakinghisappealtotheSupremeCourt(TribunalSupremodeJusticia-SaladeCasaciónPenal).]Background:InJulyandSeptember2013,CorreodelCaronípublishedaseriesofreportsaboutcorruptionintheVenezuelanstateminingcompanyCVGFerromineraOrinoco.TheinvestigationreportedlydisclosedablackmailcaseinwhichamilitaryofficerfromtheCounterintelligenceBureau(DirecciónGeneraldeContraInteligenciaMilitar–DIM)extortedseniormanagementofficialsandcontractorsoftheminingcompanyinexchangefornotrevealingtheircorruptactions.Followinganofficialinvestigationintotheseallegations,themilitaryofficerwasarrestedandtheminingcompanypresidentwasdismissed,aswerethreecompanymanagers,whowerealsogivenprisonsentences.ThecontractorYamalMustafáwasalsoindicted;shortlybeforehewasarrestedinJuly2013hefiledacriminaldefamationcomplaintagainstNateraandCorreodelCaroní.Mustafáservedaboutthreeyearsinpre-trialdetentiononchargesofembezzlementinrelationtothecase.HereportedlydeniedthechargesagainsthimandwasreleasedinDecember2015afterthecasewasdropped.TheCVGFerromineraOrinococorruptioncasewasalsoinvestigatedbytheattorney’sgeneralofficeandmilitaryintelligence.Otherinformation:CorreodelCaroní

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isknownforitscriticalreporting,inparticularaboutthegovernment.Ithasreportedlybeenfacingdifficultiesforseveralyears,includingtheseverenewsprintshortagesaffectingallpublicationsinVenezuela,lossofadvertisingrevenue–reportedlyduetobeingdeniedstateadvertisingandgovernmentpressureonprivatecompaniesnottoplaceadvertisementsinthenewspaper–,bribingofnewsstandownersnottosellthepaperandthethreatofseizureofitsheadquarters.UnderVenezuelanlaw,convictionforcriminaldefamationcarriesuptofiveyearsinprison,oneofthemostseveresentencesfordefamationintheAmericas.UnderPresidentNicolásMaduro,defamationlawshavebeenusedtocountergovernmentcritics,accordingtoresearchbytheCommitteetoProtectJournalists.YamalMustafáreportedlyownsthepro-governmentnewspaperPrimicainCiudadGuayana,Bolívarstate.Ontrial

MiguelHenriqueOTERO,profession:editorofElNacionalTeodoroPETKOFFMALEC,profession:editorofTalCualAlbertoFedericoRAVELL,profession:ownerofLaPatillaDetailsoftrial:Accordingtonewsreports,thejournalistsarefacingchargesconnectedtoadefamationlawsuitfiledbythepresidentoftheNationalAssembly,DiosdadoCabello,on23April2015.ThelawsuitcameafterthethreenewsoutletsreproducedareportpublishedbytheSpanishnewspaperABCinJanuary2015whichwasbasedonstatementsgiventotheUSJusticeDepartmentbyLeamsySalazar,aformerclosecollaboratorofCabello’s.Theinformation,attestedtobyABC’seditors,declaredthatCabellowasoneoftheheadsoftheSolesdrugcartelthatengagesincocainetraffickinginVenezuela.On12May2015,JudgeMaríaEugeniaNúñezissuedarestrictionpreventingOtero,PetkoffandRavell–alongwith19othermediaexecutivesandrepresentativesinvolvedinthelawsuit–fromleavingthecountry.Oteroandothersarereportedlyrequiredtoreporttothecourtonceaweek.Accordingtoreports,on13August2015thecourtsimposedaheavyfineonLaPatilla.On4October2015,OteroreportedthattherewasanarrestwarrantagainsthimandthathewouldbetakentoprisonifhereturnedtoVenezuela.On6October2015,atribunalisreportedtohavegivenanorderfortheIntegratedPoliceInformationSystem(SistemaIntegradodeInformaciónPolicial-SIPOL)tousepublicforcetoarresttheeditorsofElNacionalandLaPatilla.Twodayslater,theScientific,PenalandCriminalisticInvestigationsCorp(CuerpodeInvestigacionesCientíficas,PenalesyCriminalísticas-CICPC)visitedtheofficesofthetwonewsoutletslookingforOteroandRavell.CICPCalsoreportedlywenttotheofficesofTalCuallookingforboardmemberFranciscoLayrisse.InthecaseofPetkofftheauthoritieswillreportedlynotuseforceduetohisdelicatehealthsituation.Itwasunclearwhetherthejournalistsweredetained.On9November2015,theInter-AmericanCommissiononHumanRightsgrantedprecautionarymeasurestothethreejournalists,callingontheVenezuelanstatetopreventirreparableharmtotheminconnectionwiththeirpendingcasesand‘toensure[their]legitimateexerciseoffreedomofexpression.'Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:TheInter-AmericanPressAssociationhavecriticisedthelawsuitowingtothefactthatitviolatestheprinciplesestablishedbytheInter-AmericanCourtofHumanRights,whichruledthatthemediacannotbeheldresponsibleforfaithfullypublishinginformationthatwasoriginallydisseminatedbyothermedia.

Attacked

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*DeivisRAMÍREZProfession:journalistforthenewspaperElUniversalDateofattack:2June2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,Ramírez’mobilephonewasconfiscatedbytheheadofthegovernmentoftheCapitalDistrict,DanielAponte,whilethejournalistwasinterviewingpeopleatstreetprotestsagainstfoodshortageinCaracas.Ramírezwasreportedlyforcefullyremovedfromtheprotests.Background:AccordingtothefreedomofexpressionorganisationEspacioPúblico,19journalistsandphotographersfrommediaoutletssuchasVivoPlay,ElUniversal,ElPitazo,2001,ElNacional,CrónicaUno,NTN24andCaraotaDigitalwereattackedorhadequipmentstolenbytheNationalGuard.Harassed

*NelsonBOCARANDAProfession:editorofthewebsiterunrun.esDateofharassment:6May2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,Bocaranda’sTwitteraccountwashackedandmessagesaimingtodiscreditandintimidatehimwerepublished.ThemessageswerecriticalofthegovernmentandlinkedBocarandatotheCIA.On7May,hereportedlymanagedtorecoverhisTwitteraccount.Otherinformation:AccordingtothefreedomofexpressionorganisationIPYSVenezuela,therehadbeenseveralrecentcyber-attacksagainstwritersandjournalistsaimedatsmearingthemandaligningthemwithopponentsofthegovernment.

*MarianaDUQUE(f)Profession:journalistforthenewspaperElPitazoDateofharassment:31March2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,DuquewasverballyattackedatapressconferencebythegovernorofTáchirastate,JoséGregorioVielmaMora.ThegovernorwasreadingoutanarticleinwhichDuquehadcoveredapressconferenceheldbypoliceofficersofTáchirafollowingthedeathoftwopolicemeninastudentprotesttwodaysearlier.Hethenreportedlystartedtoinsultthejournalist,callingher‘liar’,saidsheshould‘study’and‘geteducated’,accusedherofbeingpaidbytheoppositionandaccusedthemediaofincitingviolenceinsteadofrejectingit.Duquereportedlyaskedthepublicprosecutor’sofficeforsecuritymeasuresaftershereceivedaseriesofaccusationsviaTwitterrelatedtoherreport.Background:InDuque’sarticleentitled‘PoliceofficialsofTáchiradenouncebadworkingconditions-civilservantsfearreprisalsbygovernorfollowingdenouncements’shecoversadiscussionofpoliceofficialsaboutallegedirregularitieswithinthepoliceinstitution,includinglowsalaries,longworkinghoursandinsufficienttraining,claimingthatoneoftheofficerswhowaskilledhadnotbeentrainedtopoliceprotests.*PedroLuisMONTILLAProfession:bloggerDateofharassment:18March2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,MontillawasdetainedforthreehoursbytheBolivarianIntelligenceService(ServicioBolivarianodeInteligencia(SEBIN)inBarquisimeto,Larastate,forpublishingfalseinformation.Hewasreportedlyarrestedathishome,hiscomputerwasconfiscatedandhewasthenbroughttotheSEBINoffices,wherehemadetocompleteaquestionnaire.Background:Montillahadreportedlypublishedinformationaboutthedeathof28minersinthecityofTumeremoonhispersonalblogandhadallegedlylinkedSEBINandtheBodyofScientific,PenalandCriminalisticResearch(CuerpodeInvestigacionesCientíficas,PenalesyCriminalísticas-CICPC))tothecase.Otherinformation:MontillaalsoworksasajournalistforanopinionprogrammeattheradiostationFeyAlegría.Accordingtonewsreports,he

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hasAsperger’ssyndromeandwasinanervousstateafterthedetention.ReleasedInésMargaritaGONZÁLEZÁRRAGA(f):Profession:chemistryspecialistatOhioUniversitySentence:threeyearsinprisonDateofarrest:4October2014Dateofrelease:3November2015Detailsofarrest:Gonzálezwasreportedlyarrestedafterpresentingherselftothepublicprosecutor’sofficefollowingasubpoenainconnectionwithcommentsshemadeonherTwitteraccount(@inesitaterrible)criticisingRobertSerra,ayoungCongressmanmurderedon1October2014.Afterbeingdetainedforamonth,Gonzalesreceivedareleaseformbutwasnotreleased.Detailsofrelease:PENhasnowlearnedthatinNovember2015,itwasreportedthattheOmbudsmdan(DefensoríadelPueblo)hadorderedGonzález’releaseonhumanitariangrounds,toallowhertoreceivemedicaltreatment.Shewasreleasedon17November2015andsincethenhasbeenactiveonTwitter.Placeofdetention:Helicoide,theCaracasheadquartersoftheBolivarianIntelligenceService(ServicioBolivarianodeInteligencia–SEBIN).Detailsoftrial:Shewaschargedwith‘publicinstigation’,towhichshereportedlypledguilty,andon24February2015shewassentencedtothreeyearsinjail.Conditionsofdetention:25May2015reportsstatethatduringatransfertothemilitaryhospital,sixSEBINofficersallegedlywokeherupviolentlyandbeather.Hersister(@malion2003)tweetedthaton26July2015shestillhadbruisesonherarms.Healthconcerns:Gonzalesisreportedtosufferfromendometriosis,agynaecologicalillnessthatcausespainduringmenstruationandurination.BetweenMayandSeptember2015,thecourtmandatedthatGonzalesbetransferredtothemilitaryhospitalonfiveseparateoccasions(mostrecentlyon3September2015)formedicalexaminationsandsurgeryinrelationtohermedicalcondition.Themilitaryhospitalrefusedtocomplywiththecourt’sordertoremittheresultsofmedicalexaminations.Background:Theoffendingtweets,whichGonzálezmadeinthedaysfollowingCongressmanSerra’sdeath,includethefollowing:‘Tyrantsgetkilled,it’snothatred,it’sjustice.RobertSerrawasnotinnocentlikeourgloriousstudents,youcan’tcompare.’(‘Alostiranosselesdadebaja,noesodio,esjusticia.RobertSerranoerainocentecomonuestrosgloriososestudiantes,nocomparen’)(1October2014)and‘RobertSerrawasnotahumanbeing,hewasacriminalwhocommandedterrorunitsandarmedchildren’(‘RobertSerranoeraunserhumano,erauncriminalquecomandabacolectivosdelterroryarmabaniños’)(3October2014).González’commentsappeartomakereferencetoallegationsthatthelatecongressmanhadlinkstopro-governmentparamilitarygroupsknownascolectivos,and,inparticular,toa23January2011publiceventapparentlylinkedtoacolectivothatfeaturedchildrenholdingrifleswiththeirfacescovered.SeveralconspiracytheoriessurroundSerra’smurderandPresidentNicolásMadurohaspublicallyaccusedformerColombianpresidentÁlvaroUribeofmastermindingthekilling.Otherinformation:González’TwitterbiographymakesheroppositiontotheMadurogovernmentclear:“Agitatorbytradeintheprocessofaccumulatingforces.DissidentoftheregimeofToripolloGenocide.ChávezIsweartoyou,weshalloverthrowMaduro.”

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ASIAANDTHEPACIFIC

AFGHANISTAN

Killed:impunity

SushmitaBANERJEE(f):Profession:authorofthebest-sellingmemoirAKabuliwala’sBengaliWifeDateofdeath:5September2013Detailsofdeath:Accordingtoreports,armedmenbrokeintoherhomeandtiedupherhusbandbeforekidnappingandshootingheratleast20times.Banerjee’sbodywasleftoutsideamadrasa(religiousschool)ontheoutskirtsofSharanCity,Paktikaprovince.Detailsofinvestigation:On9September2013,localpoliceofficialsreportedlyarrestedtwomen–initiallysaidtobearmedmilitantsconnectedtotheHaqqaniNetwork,anaffiliateoftheTalibanwhichhasconnectionstoPakistan–inconnectionwithhermurder.Accordingtopressreports,thesuspectsconfessedtoBanerjee’smurder.Localvillagersreportedlyledthepolicetothemen,whoweresaidtohavebeenfoundwithweapons,includingexplosives.Fourmenarrestedon11SeptemberreportedlyindicatedthattheplanwasorchestratedinPakistanbythreePakistanTalibanmilitantsworkingwithalocalcommanderoftheAfghanTalibaninPaktika.AccordingtotheBBC,theAfghanTalibanhasdeniedresponsibilityfortheattack.BanerjeewasreportedlytargetedbythegroupbecauseofhercriticalwritingsoftheTalibaninhermemoirandforinstallinganInternetconnectioninherhouse.BanerjeehadrecentlyreturnedtoAfghanistantolivewithherhusbandandrunamidwiferyclinic.Shehadreportedlybeenfilmingthelivesoflocalwomenaspartofherworkpriortoherdeath,andwaswritingasecondbook.Despitetherecentarrests,on15September2013newsreportsindicatedthatasplinterTalibangroup–knownastheSuicideGroupoftheIslamicMovementofAfghanistan–hadadmittedresponsibilityforBanerjee’smurderviaaWesternnewswebsite,claimingtheyhadkilledherbecauseshewasanIndianspy.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN30/13

YamaBEHROZ:Profession:recentgraduateandfreelancejournalistwithalocalmediaorganizationDateofdeath:18September2015Detailsofdeath:BehrozwaskilledinFaizabadwhen,accordingtoreports,anImprovisedExplosiveDevice(IED)explodedathisdoorstep.SomeofthereportssuggestedthattheIEDwasplantedathisdoorandhewasthencalledandaskedtocomeoutofthehouse.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENposition:PENiscontinuingtoinvestigatewhetherBehrozisaprintorbroadcastjournalist.

AUSTRALIA

Harassed

*PaulFARRELL:Profession:journalistforGuardianAustraliaDateofharassment:February2016Detailsofharassment:InFebruary2016,FarrellisreportedtohavelearnedthattheAustralianFederalPolice(AFP)hadcreateda200-pagefileonhimbygoingthroughFarrell’smetadatawhileattemptingtoidentifyhisconfidentialsources.HealsodiscoveredthattheAFPhadsoughthisemailrecords.Background:FarrellhaswrittenseveralreportsonAustralia’sasylumseekerpolicies.TheInternationalFederationofJournalistsanditsaffiliateshavereportedthattheAustraliangovernmenthavesoughttorestrictthemedia’saccesstoitsdetentioncentres,bothnationalandoff-shore.Australia’smetadataretentionlawsandtheJournalistInformationWarrantsreportedlyallowjournalists’telecommunicationsdatatobesecretlyaccessedbyatleast21governmentagencieswithneitherthejournalistnortheiremployer’sknowledge.

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AUSTRALIA/PAPUANEWGUINEA

Harrassed:maincase

BehrouzBOOCHANI:Profession:journalistandhumanrightsadvocateDateofdetention:27August2013Detailsofdetention:Boochani,anIraniannational,wasreportedlyrescuedatseabytheAustraliannavy,whomheaskedforasylum.DuetoAustralia’soffshoreprocessingpolicies,BoochaniwasreportedlytakentoManusIslandRegionalProcessingCentreatLombrum,PapuaNewGuinea(PNG).Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,BoochanihasfacedharassmentforreportingtotheAustralianmediaandotherorganisationsonconditionsinsidethedetentioncentreandhumanrightsabusesallegedtobetakingplacethere.Hereportsbeingthetargetofbeatingsasadirectresultofhisreporting.Currentplaceofdetention:Boochaniwasinitiallyheldinanimmigrationdetentioncentre,ManusIsland,PapuaNewGuinea.However,accordingtoreports,hewastransferredtotheEastLorengaurefugeetransitcentreinFebruary2015.Update:InApril2016,thePNGauthoritiesaccordedBoochaniwithrefugeestatuseventhoughhehadrefusedtoformallyseekasylumthere.BoochaniremainsadamantthathisasylumrequestbeprocessedbytheAustralianauthorities.Despitebeingnominallyfreetomoveabouttheisland,Boochanireportsthathestillfacesconsiderablerestrictionsinhismovement;theonlywayoutoftheprocessingcentreisbyanarrangedbusridetothemaintownofLorengau—accesstothecentreisoutofboundssinceitisonanavalbase.Refugeesarebody-searchedwhentheyleaveandreturn.Boochanireportsfeelingunsafeontheisland,butatthesametime,unabletoleaveashedoesnotpossessanytraveldocuments.Background:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,inhisnativeIran,Boochaniworkedasajournalistforseveralnewspapers,includingnationaldailiesQanoon,KasbokarandEtemad,andtheKurdish-languagemonthlymagazineVaria.Duetohisfocusonbusinessandpolitics,BoochaniwassubjecttoconstantsurveillancebytheIranianauthorities.In2013,hewasreportedlyarrested,interrogatedandthreatenedbytheIranianIntelligenceServices.Fearingthathewouldbeimprisoned,hefledIranon13May2013.Sincehisdetention,Boochanihasbeendocumentinghumanrightsviolations,whichhepassesontotheHumanitarianResearchPartners(HRP),whointurnpasstheinformationontotheUnitedNationsanditsrelevantagencies.Boochanihascontinuedtowriteforseveralpublicationswhileindetention,andhaspublishedthefirstinstalmentofhisbookdocumentinghisexperiencesindetention.HonoraryMember:PENMelbourne,NorwegianPENPENAction:2015WorldHumanRightsDay,JointopenlettertotheAustralianauthorities.PENPosition:PENconsidersthat,ineffect,BoochaniismaroonedonManusIslandandhisfutureisonholdindefinitely.Hisindefinitestateoflimbohascompoundedhistrauma,andamountstocruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentwhichisprohibitedunderinternationallaw,asaffirmedintheUnitedNationsConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,towhichAustraliaisastateparty.TheorganisationiscontinuingtocallforhimtobeallowedtoenterAustraliatoseekasylumthere.[StopPress:InNovember2016,theAustraliangovernmentannouncedthataone-offagreementhadbeenreachedwiththeUSauthoritiesforrefugeesheldinRegionalProcessingCentresinPapuaNewGuineaandNauruwhoarerecommendedbytheUNHCRforresettle.ThefulldetailsoftheagreementhavenotbeenrevealedandcouldbechangedbytheincomingUSadministration.ItisnotyetclearifBehrouzBoochaniwillbenefitfromthisagreement.]

BANGLADESH

Killed–motiveunknown

*NazimuddinSAMAD:Profession:lawstudentDateofdeath:6April2016Detailsofkilling:Samad(28)wasreportedlyattackedwithmachetesatabusyintersectionbythree–asyetunidentified–assailants,whoshot

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himbeforefleeingthesceneonamotorcycle.Nogroupimmediatelyclaimedresponsibilityfortheattack.Detailsofinvestigation:Theauthoritieshaveopenedupaninvestigationandarereportedtobelievethathisassailantshadbeenmonitoringhimforsometime.Policearereportedtosuspectthathewastargetedforhisoutspokenstanceonreligionandhisinvolvementintheprotestmovement,GanoJagoronMancha(roughlytranslatingtoNationalAwakeningStage).On7April,Bangladesh’sHomeMinisterisreportedtohavestatedthatSamad’swritingswouldneedtobescrutinisedinordertoascertainwhetherhehadwrittenanythingobjectionable.Ansaral-Islam–aBangladeshbranchofal-Qaeda–reportedlyclaimedresponsibilityforthemurder,however,policearereportedtohaveblamedtheAnsarullahBanglaTeam(ABT).Background:SamadhadrecentlymovedtoDhakafromhishometownofSylhettotakeuphismastersatJagannathUniversity.HehadregularlywrittenagainstreligiononhisFacebookpageandwascriticalofradicalIslamists,accordingtoreports.AccordingtotheDhakaTribune,Samadhadexpressedconcernsoverthecountry’slawandorderinaFacebookpostthedaybeforehisdeath.PENAction:7April2016statement

*XulhazMANNAN:Profession:editorofBangladesh’sonlyLGBTmagazineRoopbaanandleadinggayrightsactivistDateofdeath:25April2016Detailsofdeath:Mannanwaskilledalongsideanothervictim,whenunidentifiedattackerscametotheirapartmentinDhakaearlierthatdayposingascouriers.Detailsofinvestigation:On15May2016,itwasreportedthatamanthoughttobeconnectedwiththebannedIslamicgroupHarkatulJihadhadbeenidentifiedasasuspect.Policesaidthemanhadadmittedtobeinginvolvedintheattack.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtoreports,fourLGBTactivistswerearrestedon14April,andMannanwasinstrumentalinensuringtheirrelease.PENAction:25April2016statement

*RezaulKarimSIDDIQUE:Profession:universityprofessorDateofdeath:23April2016Detailsofdeath:UnknownassailantswithmachetesarereportedtohaveattackedtheEnglishprofessorashewalkedtothebusstationfromhishomeinRajshahi,onhiswaytothecity’spublicuniversitywherehetaught.Detailsofinvestigation:IslamicStateclaimedresponsibilityfortheattack,accordingtonewsreports.Background:SiddiquewasreportedlyinvolvedinculturalprogrammesandsetupamusicschoolatBagmara,aformerbastionofanoutlawedIslamistgroup,JamayetulMujahideenBangladesh(JMB).Accordingtoreports,Siddiquewrotepoemsandshortstories,aswellasleadingaculturalgroupcalledKomolGandharandeditedaliterarymagazinewiththesamename.PENAction:23April2016statement[Stoppress:AccordingtoNovember2016reports,eightpeoplehavebeenchargedinconnectionwithSiddique’smurder.]

Killed:impunity

NiloyCHAKRABARTI(alsoknownasNiloyNeel):Profession:bloggerDateofDeath:7August2015Detailsofkilling:ChakrabartiwasreportedlyattackedathishomeinGorhan,Dhakabyfiveunknownassailantswieldingmachetes.Themenreportedlygainedentrytohishomeafterpretendingtobepotentialnewtenants.Hisnamehadrecentlyappearedinahitlistalongside83othersecularbloggersdescribedasanti-Islamicandblasphemous,threeothersofwhomhavealsobeenkilledthisyear.Detailsofinvestigation:On14August2015policearrestedtwosuspects,bothofthemmembersoftheIslamistgroupAnsarrullahBanglaTeam.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Chakrabarticontributedtoseveralbloggingplatformswritingagainstextremism,aswellasonwomen’sandminorityrights.HeisknownashavingsomeinvolvementwiththeGanajagaranManchamovement.HeisalsoreportedtobeafoundingmemberoftheScienceandRationalistCouncil.Inaddition,ChakrabartiworkedforanNGOinnorth-westernBangladesh.Otherinformation:Chakrabartiwasreportedtohavefacedharassmentandnumerousthreatsinconnectionwithhiswritingsandactivisminmonthspriortohisdeath.On25May2015,hepostedonFacebookthathewasfollowedhomeafterattendinga

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demonstrationinDhakaprotestingBijoyDash’s(see‘Killed’below)death.Accordingtoonenewsreport,hehadrecentlyremovedallhisphotographsfromhisFacebookaccountandchangedhiscurrentlocationtoCalcuttaowingtothethreats.PENAction:7August2015statement.

AnantaBijoyDASH(alsoknownasAnantaBijoyDas):Profession:award-winningwriter,editorofquarterlymagazineJuktiandbloggerDateofdeath:12May2015Detailsofdeath:Dashwashackedtodeathbyamaskedgangwieldingmachetesonhiswaytoworkinabank,inthecityofSylhet.Detailsofinvestigation:On18August2015,threemembersofAnsarrullahBanglaTeam,includingaBritishcitizenofBangladeshiorigin,werearrestedbysecurityforcesinconnectionwiththekillingsofAnantaBijoyDashandAvijitRoy(seebelow).On28August2015,oneofthearrested,MannanYahia,confessedhisinvolvementinDash'smurder.On10September2015threemore,includingtheheadoftheAnsarullahBanglaTeam,MohammadAbulBashar,werearrestedinconnectionwithbothbloggers'murders.Basharisreportedlythoughttobethemastermindofthebloggers'killing.Update:On12May2016,Policeconfirmedthattheywerestilllookingforthreemeninvolvedinthemurder.Background:Hiswritingsfocusedonrationalism,atheismandscience,withaparticularemphasisonbiologicalevolution.HealsowroteblogpoststhatcriticisedsomeaspectsofIslamaswellasofHinduism,andwroteapoemeulogisingtherenownedBangladeshisecularwriterTaslimaNasreen,whofledtoEuropein1994afterbeingthreatenedbyIslamistextremists.Otherinformation:BijoyDashappearedintwoassassinationlistscompiledbytheextremistIslamistgroupAnsarullahBanglaTeaminFebruary2013andMarch2015.AfterthemurderofbloggerAvijitRoy,BijoyDashhadbeeninhidingandwasseekingprotection.HehadbeenacceptedforplacementbytheInternationalCitiesofRefugeNetwork(ICORN),andinearlyApril2015hewasinvitedbySwedishPENtogiveatalkinStockholm.On22April,theSwedishembassyinDhakarefusedhisvisaapplication.Awards:Mukto-monaRationalistAwardin2006.PENAction:12May2015statementandRAN08/15,SwedishPENstatement;jointletter22May2015

FaisalAbedinDEEPAN:Profession:publisheratJagritiProkashonipublishinghouseDateofdeath:31October2015Detailsofdeath:DeepanwasfounddeadinhisofficeinDhakaon31October2015.Accordingtoreports,hehadbeenhackedtodeathbyagroupofmenwhothenfled.Detailsofinvestigation:Asof30June2016,noonehadbeenarrestedforDeepan’smurder.Background:Earlieronthesameday,publisherAhmedRahim‘Tutul’ChowdhuryandwritersRanadeepBasuandTarequeRahim(see‘Attacked’below)wereattackedintheofficesofShuddhasharpublishinghouseinDhaka.BothDeepanandTutul’spublishinghouseshadpublishedbooksbyBangladeshi-AmericanwriterandbloggerAvijitRoy(see‘Killed’below),whowashackedtodeathinFebruary.Deepan'scompanypublishedTheVirusofFaith,byRoy.ThelocalIslamistgroupAnsarullahBanglaTeamhadclaimedresponsibilityforRoy’skilling,alongsidethekillingsofthreeotherbloggersin2015,andthreatenedtokillmorebloggers.DeepanhadfiledacomplaintwithpoliceafterbeingthreatenedwithdeathinapostingonFacebookfollowingtheattackonRoy,hisfriendssaid.PENAction:1November2015statement

WashiqurRAHMAN(akaKutshitHasherChhana):Profession:bloggerDateofdeath:30March2015Detailsofdeath:Rahmanwashackedtodeathclosetohishome,reportedlybythreemen.Detailsofinvestigation:Fivemen(anorganizerofAnsarullahBanglaTeamandfoursupporters)werechargedwithRahman’smurderbyBangladeshipoliceon1September2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtolocalreports,Rahmanwasknownforhisatheisticviewsandheusedtowriteagainstreligiousfundamentalismandrepressionofethnicminorities.HealsoworkedasanITmanageratatravelagency.PENAction:30March2015statement

AvijitROY:Profession:writerandblogger,founderandadministratoroftheblogmukto-mona.comDateof

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birth:12September1972Dateofdeath:26February2015Detailsofdeath:RoyandhiswifehadjustleftabookfairnearUniversityofDhakawhentheywereattackedbyagroupofmenwithmachetes.Royreceivedamortalblowtothehead,whilehiswife’sfingerswereseverelyinjured.Detailsofinvestigation:TheIslamistgroupAnsaralIslamclaimedresponsibilityforRoy’smurderinaseriesofmessagesonitsTwitteraccount.On18August2015threemembersofAnsarullahBanglaTeamwerearrestedbysecurityforcesinconnectionwithRoy’smurder,aswellasthatofAnantaBijoyDash(seeabove).On10September2015threemore,includingtheheadoftheAnsarullahBanglaTeamMohammadAbulBashar,werearrestedinconnectionwithbothbloggers'murders.Basharisreportedtobeconsideredthemastermindofthebloggers'killing.Update:On19June2016,policereportedlyshotdeadamanconsideredthemainsuspectinRoy’smurder.Background:RoyfoundedandadministeredapopularblogcalledMukto-mona(Freemind)whichencouragedfreethinking,humanismandrationalism.PENAction:27February2015statement

Imprisoned:maincase

SalahUddinShoaibCHOUDHURY:Profession:editorofthetabloidWeeklyBlitzSentence:sevenyearsinprisonwithhardlabourDateofarrest:9January2014Detailsoftrial:Choudhuryhadwrittenarticlesaboutallegedanti-IsraeliattitudesinMuslimcountriesandthespreadofIslamistmilitancyinBangladesh.Choudhurywaseventuallyconvictedofharmingthecountry’sinterestsunderSection505(A)oftheBangladeshiPenalCodefor‘intentionallywritingdistortinganddamagingmaterials’on9January2014andimmediatelyimprisoned.Hewasacquittedofaseditioncharge.Choudhury’sfamilysaidtheywouldappealthedecisionintheHighCourt.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:ChoudhurywaspreviouslyarrestedinNovember2003afterhetriedtotraveltoIsraeltoparticipateinaconferencewiththeHebrewWritersAssociation.BangladeshhasnodiplomaticrelationswithIsrael,anditisillegalforBangladeshicitizenstotravelthere.Choudhurywasreleasedonbailin2005afterspending17monthsinsolitaryconfinement(seeCaseListsof2004and2005).Firstchargedwithpassportviolations,chargeswhichweredroppedin2004,hewaslaterchargedwithseditionandotherchargesinconnectionwithhisarticles.PENAction:RAN23/04andupdatesHonorarymember:EnglishPEN,PENUSA

Detained:maincase

*ShamsuzzohaMANIK:Profession:translatorandpublisherDateofarrest:15February2016Detailsofarrest:ManikwasreportedlyarrestedafterareligiousextremistgroupknownasKhelefatAndolon(CaliphateMovement)warnedofviolentprotestsoveroneofhisbooks,whichtheydeemedtobeoffensive.ThepoliceshutdownManik’sstallattheEkusheyBookFairbeforearrestinghimathisofficesandseizingcopiesoftheoffensivetitle,alongwithhiscomputer,USBdrivesandmobiletelephone.Currentplaceofdetention:DhakajailDetailsoftrial:ManikwasreportedlychargedwithhurtingreligioussentimentsunderSection57(2)ofthe2013InformationandCommunicationsTechnologyAct,whichcriminalizespublishingortransmittingmaterialthatis‘fakeandobscene’,tendstodepraveandcorruptpersons’orcausesto‘prejudicetheimageoftheState’.ManikwasproducedbeforeaDhakacourton16February2016.Thecourtgrantedafive-dayremandtoManik.Heremaineddetainedasof30October2016.Background:ManikistheownerofthepublishingfirmBa-dwipProkashoni.Theoffendingbook,entitledIslamBitorko(IslamDebate),isreportedtoincludeacontroversialchapteronsex,entitled‘MuslimManosherJounaBikriti’(‘SexualperversionoftheMuslimmind’),whichwasdeemedoffensive.Manikisreportedtobethebook’stranslatorandpublisher.Twoothersarealsoreportedtohavebeenarrested.Theyare:FakirTaslimUddinKajal,anemployeeatthepublishinghouse,andSamsulAlamChanchal,Manik’sbrotherandawriter.PENInternationalisseekingfurtherinformationontheirsituationtodetermineiftheyareofconcerntoPEN.

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Ontrial

*MahfuzANAM:Profession:editoroftheDailyStarDetailsoftrial:Anamreportedlyfacesover79legalcomplaints-62countsofdefamationand17countsofsedition.UndertheBangladeshilegalsystemdefamationcarriesapossibletwo-yearprisonsentence,whileseditionispunishablebyuptothreeyearsinprison.Assuch,Anamfacesapossiblecumulativesentenceof175yearsinprison.Theplaintiffsarereportedtobeseekingmorethanonetrilliontaka(15billioneuros)indamages.Background:Reportsindicatethatthebarrageoflawsuits,filedacrossthecountrysince14February,comeinresponsetoAnam’s3February2016admissiononaTVchatshowthathehadmadeamistakebyrunningcorruptionstoriesbetween2007and2008,basedonuncorroboratedinformationprovidedbythecountry’smilitaryintelligenceagency,theDGFI.PetitionersreportedlyarguedthatthearticlespavedthewayfortheincumbentPrimeMinisterSheikhHasina’sarrestinJuly2007.UndertheBangladeshilegalsystem,anoffenceofcriminaldefamationispunishablebyuptotwoyearsinprisonand/orafine.PENPosition:PENInternationalholdsthatcriminaldefamationlawsareperniciousandwidelyusedbythoseinpositionsofpowertosilencecritics.Suchlaws–andthedisproportionatepenaltiesthattheyintroduce–haveachillingeffectonwritersandjournalistswhouncovercorruption,malfeasanceandabuseofpowerandwhoareconsciousofthepossibilityofservinglengthyprisonsentencesandthepossibilityofbeingleftwithacriminalrecord.Theresultisthestiflingofreportingandpublicdebateanddifficultyinholdingpowertoaccount.PENcallsontheBangladeshiauthoritiestorepealitscriminaldefamationlegislation.PENAction:17February2016statement;CaseincludedinPEN’swrittensubmissiontotheUNHumanRightsCouncil

NasiruddinELANandAdilurRahmanKHAN:Profession:directorandsecretaryofleadingBangladeshihumanrightsgroupOdhikarDateofarrest:Khanwasarrestedon10August2013;Elanwasarrestedon6November2013.Dateofrelease:Khanwasreleasedonbailon30October2013;Elanwasreleasedonbailon1December2013Detailsofarrest:Adayafterhisarrest,Khanwasremandedforfivedaysforinterrogation.On12August2013,theHighCourtofBangladeshorderedhimtobesenttojail.PolicereportedlyraidedtheOdhikarofficesandconfiscatedcomputersandothermaterials.Elanwasarrestedon6November2013whenajudgerefusedhimbail.Detailsoftrial:Thecaseislinkedtoafact-findingreportissuedbyOdhikaronthekillingof61peopleduringanoperationcarriedoutbysecurityforcesagainstHefazat-e-IslamactivistsduringmassdemonstrationsinDhakainMay2013.Bothwerechargedon4September2013withdistortinginformation,presentingfalseevidenceandmanipulatingphotographsunderSection54oftheCodeofCriminalProcedure,Section57oftheInformationandCommunicationsTechnologyAct(whichcriminalizespublishingortransmittingmaterialthatis‘fakeandobscene’,tendstodepraveandcorruptpersons’orcausesto‘prejudicetheimageoftheState’)andSections505and505(A)oftheBangladeshPenalCode.ThecourtappliedSeptemberamendmentstotheICTActretroactivelyintheircase,raisingunfairtrialconcerns.Thepairreportedlyfaceaminimumofsevenyearsandmaximumof14yearsinprison.On8January2014,acyber-crimestribunalreportedlyrejectedtheirpleatodismissthechargesandorderedthattheirtrialcommenceon22January2014.TheHighCourtstayedproceedingsforthreemonthson21January2014.InAugust2015,theBangladeshipoliceissuedastatementdeclaringthattheworkcarriedoutbyAdilurRahmanKhan’sorganisationwas‘synonymoustodefamationandacriminalact’.Thereisnofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentions(WGAD)ruledinDecember2013ruledthatKhan’sdetentionresulted‘directlyfromhispeacefulexerciseoftherighttofreedomofexpression’andthereforeincontradictiontotheUDHRandICCPRprovisionsprotectinglibertyandfreedomofexpression.TheWGADrequestedthatBangladeshimmediatelyreleaseMr.Khanand‘discontinuethecriminalproceedingsagainsthim.’KhanwasreportedlyfollowedbytwomenonmotorcyclesinFebruary2014.Heandhisfamilyarereportedtofacecontinuedharassment.On8August2015,AdilurRahmanKhanreportedlyreceivedseriousdeaththreats.InMay2016,KhanwasquestionedbytheAnti-CorruptionCommissionofBangladesh

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overanallegationofinvolvementwiththehumanrightsorganisationOdhikarinmoneylaundering,asapartofaninvestigationopenedin2013(see‘Harassed’below).Awards:Khanreceivedthe2014RobertF.KennedyHumanRightsAwardandthe2014InternationalBarAssociation(IBA)HumanRightsAward.

MohonKumarMONDAL:Profession:directorofthelocalNGOLEDARSDateofthearrest:26September2015Dateofrelease:29November2015Detailsofarrest:Mondalwasarrestedon26September2015formaking‘derogatory’commentsonFacebookcriticisingSaudiArabia’ssecurityarrangementsduringtheHajj.MondalhadremovedthepostfromFacebookashorttimebeforehisarrest.Detailsoftrial:MondalwasarrestedafterthePresidentoftheUpazila(regionalunitofAwamiLeague,thegoverningpoliticalpartyinBangladesh)filedacaseagainsthimunderSection57oftheInformationandCommunicationsTechnologyAct.HewaschargedwithdamagingthereligioussentimentofMuslims.MondaldenieswritingtheFacebookpost.Hewasreleasedonbailon29November2015.Hewasreinstatedinhisjobafterhavingbeenfired.AsofMay2016,heremainedontrial.Otherinformation:IntheFacebookpost,MondalcriticisedSaudiArabia’ssecuritymeasuresatMina,MeccaduringtheHajj,andtheirnegligenceindumpingthedeadbodiesafterthestampedeon24September2014.HealsoquestionedtherationalityofthrowingstonesatdevilsduringtheMuslimritualsuggestingthat‘suchdevilswereroamingeverywhere.’Background:On24September2015,duringtheannualHajjMuslimpilgrimagetoMecca,SaudiArabia,atleast2,177peoplediedinacrowdcollapse.PENAction:CaseincludedinPEN’swrittensubmissiontotheUNHumanRightsCouncil.

MatiurRAHMAN:Profession:editorofProthomAloDetailsoftrial:55casesofdefamationand‘hurtingreligioussentiments’havereportedlybeenfiledagainstRahman,alongwiththenewspaperitselfandsomeofitsjournalists.Rahmanhasbeengrantedbailinmanyofthecases.Background:ThechargesappeartostemfromaseriesofarticleswhichtheProthomAloranonallegedirregularitiesinpurchasesbyalocalgovernmentoffice,aswellasforrunningacartoonpublishedinthemagazineAlpinin2007whichsomepeoplehavefeltwasdisrespectfultotheProphetMuhammad(seepreviousCaseListformoreinformation).ThecasesarethoughttobepartofawiderpatternofharassmentofindependentnewspapersinBangladesh,whohavenotshownsupportforthecountry’sprimeminister.ProthomAloisBangladesh’shighestcirculationBengali-languagedailynewspaper,anditisthesisteroftheDailyStarnewspaper.BothProthomAloandtheDailyStararereportedtohavefacedgovernmentretaliationfortheirreporting,includingabanonadvertisingbylargeprivatecompanies.Inaddition,theeditoroftheDailyStar,MahfuzAnam,iscurrentlyfacingover70casesofdefamationandseditionfiledagainsthimsinceFebruary2016(see‘OnTrial’above).

RabiullahROBI:Profession:editorfortheDailyInqilabDateofarrest:19August2014Dateofrelease:March2015Detailsofarrest:Robiwasarrestedafterthenewspaper’sofficeinDhakawasraidedbythepolice,undertheInformationandCommunicationsTechnologyActasaresultofanarticlepublishedon18August2014inthedaily.Thearticlereportedly‘hurtreligioussentiment’andcreateddisorderwithintheadministration.ThecaseagainstRobiwasfiledbyanactingAssistantInspectorGeneralwhowasmentionedinthearticleandwhoallegedlyabusedhisauthoritybyusingthePrimeMinister’sname.On24September2014,Robi’sdefencepetitionedfortheeditortobereleasedonbail,butacourtinDhakarejectedtherequest.Detailsofrelease:AccordingtoMarch2015reportsbyCivicus,Robiwasreleasedonbailandhiscaseisstillongoing.Detailsoftrial:Newsreportson7February2016indicatethatRobi,alongwiththreeotherjournalistswiththepaperwerechargedunderSection57(2)ofthe2013InformationandCommunicationsTechnology(ICT)ActinDecember2015basedonthecomplaint.Theyfaceamaximumsentenceof14years’imprisonmentifconvicted.Background:On16January2014,RobiwasreportedlyarrestedalongwithtwootherjournalistsfortheDaily

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Inqilab.Thetriowerelaterchargedwithpublishing‘falseandfabricated’newsinconnectionwithafront-pagereportthatclaimedthatforcesfromneighbouringIndiahadassistedtheBangladeshiarmyinquellingviolenceinBangladesh’sSatkhiradistrictaheadoftheJanuaryelections.TheywerereleasedonbailinAugust2014(see2014CaseListformoreinformation).

SubrataAdhikariSHUVO,MashiurRahmanBIPLOB,andRaselPARVEZ:Profession:bloggersDateofarrest:1April2013Dateofrelease:ShuvoandParvezwerereleasedonbailon12May2013,whileBiplobwassimilarlyreleasedon2June2013.Detailsoftrial:Theywerechargedon8September2013with‘hurtingreligioussentiments’underSection57(2)oftheInformationandCommunicationsTechnologyAct,forpostingderogatorymaterialaboutIslamandtheProphetMuhammadonlineandcouldfaceupto14years’imprisonmentunderBangladeshcyber-crimelaws.ThebloggershavereportedlycriticizedtheauthoritiesandthepressforbeingpartialtowardsIslamistviewsinanallegedsecularcountry.Soonaftertheirarrest,theirblogswereshutdown.TheirtrialstartedinNovember2013.OnFebruary16,2014,theHighCourtofBangladeshputthecaseonholdforthreemonthsandaskedthegovernmenttoexplainwhyitshouldnotbescrapped.In2015,informationsuggestedthatSubrataAdhikariShuvohadleftthecountry.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN16/13–5April2013

ProbirSIKDAR:Profession:editorofDailyBangla71andonlinenewsportalu71news.comDetailsoftrial:Accordingtomediareports,Sikdarwasbroughtbeforeacybertribunalon25May2016,accusedofdefamationofagovernmentministerinconnectionwithaFacebookpost.Hewasreleasedonbail.Background:InAugust2015,SikdarwasreportedlyarrestedandchargedundertheICTActinconnectionwithaFacebookpost.ThechargesweresubsequentlydroppedinDecember2015.In2001Sikdarlosthislegtoanattack,allegedlycarriedoutbyMoosabinShamser’smen.ShamserisoneofthethreeofficialsSikdaraccusedinhisFacebookpostinAugust2015.Accordingtobdnews24.com,SikdarhadwrittenonShamser’sallegedroleintheLiberationWarwhenhewascorrespondentofDailyJanakantha.[Stoppress:Accordingtomediareports,Sikdarwasformallychargedwithdefamationon4August2016withahearingsetforOctober.]

Judicialconcern

*ShafikREHMAN:Profession:writer,journalistandpoliticalactivistDateofbirth:11November1934Dateofarrest:16April2016Detailsofarrest:Rehmanwasreportedlyarrestedwithoutawarranton16April2016,whenthreeplainclothespoliceofficersoftheDetectiveBranchgainedentrytohishomeinErshadbypretendingtobejournalists.Accordingtonewssources,RehmanwasinformedthathisarrestwasinconnectionwithacriminalcaseofconspiracytokidnapandmurderSajeebWazedJoy–sonofPrimeMinisterSheikhHasina–filedin2015.ThecasereportedlystemmedfromstatementsmadebyWazed,inwhichheclaimedthatacourtcasetriedintheUSwasrelatedtoaBangladeshNationalistParty(BNP)plottokidnapandkillhim(seebelowformoredetails).Rehman’snamedoesnotfeatureineithertheGeneralDiaryorFirstInstanceReportcomplaints,filedinAprilandAugust2015respectively,whichdiscussedtheallegedkidnapplot,accordingtoreports.Placeofdetention:KashempurJail,area4.EachofRehman’sapplicationsarereportedtohavebeendenied,assuchhehasbeensubjecttorepeatedfive-dayremandperiods.Detailsoftrial:RehmanremainedheldwithoutchargeortrialattheendofJune2016.Healthconcerns:Rehmansuffersfromdiabetesandhighbloodpressure,aswellashypertension,forwhichheisrequiredtotakemedication.Hishealthisreportedtohavedeterioratedconsiderablyoverthecourseofhisdetention.Background:AdualBritishandBangladeshinational,Rehmanisan81-year-oldwriter,editorandformerspeech-writerforformerPrimeMinisterandBNPoppositionleader,KhaledaZia.Atrainedaccountant,Rehmanbeganhiscareerasajournalistinthe1980seditingtheweeklymagazineJaiJaiDin,wherehegainednotorietyforhiscriticismofthegovernmentduringGeneralHMErshad’scaretakergovernment.The

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magazinewasbannedbythemilitaryregime,butlaterreopened,goingontobecomeadailynewspaperin2006.RehmanisalsooneoftheoriginalfoundersofSpectrumRadio,basedinnorthLondon.In2015hereportedlypublishedhisbook,Mrittudondo:DesheBideshe,JugeJuge–acritiqueofthedeathpenalty.RehmanisalsoapopularBTVtelevisionshowhost.RehmanisnowtheeditorofthepopularBengalimonthlymagazineMouchakeDhil(roughlytranslatingtoProvokingtheBeehive)whilealsoservingasconveneroftheinternationalaffairscommitteeoftheoppositionBNP.PENPosition:PENInternationalbelievesthatShefikRehmanhasbeentargetedforhispoliticalactivitiesandnotforhiswritingandthustheorganisation’sconcernfocusesaroundhisrighttoafairtrialandtohisconditionsofdetention,includinghisaccesstomedicaltreatment.[Stoppress:On17July2016,theSupremeCourtgrantedRehmanpermissiontoappealhisdetention.TheSupremeCourtruledthatheshouldbereleasedonbailon30August2016.Heremainsunderinvestigation.]

Deaththreat

ImranH.SARKER:Profession:bloggerDateofthreat:24April2016Detailsofthreat:On24April2016,SarkercommentedonhisFacebookpagethathehadreceivedanotherdeaththreattohismobilephonefromaUKnumber.Thecallerreportedlythreatened,‘youwillbekilled’.Thereisnoindication,asof30June2016,ofaninvestigationintothethreat.Background:SarkerisoneofthemostpopularbloggersinBangladesh,withnearlyamillionfollowersonsocialmedia.Hewritesinfavourofasecularandtolerantenvironment,andagainstreligiousfundamentalismandthecurrentgovernmentofthecountry.Sarkerhasreportedlyreceivedseveralthreats,includingon17October2015whenhereceivedadeaththreatviahisFacebookpage(seepreviousCaseListformoreinformation).

Sentenced

MuhammadRuhulAminKHANDAKER:Profession:JahangirnagarUniversityteacherSentence:threeyearsinprisonandafineofTk10,000,failuretopaywouldreportedlyincreasehisprisontermbyanothersixmonths.Detailsoftrial:On18August2011theHighCourtaskedKhandakertoexplainwithintwoweekswhyheshouldnotbeprosecutedforhis‘derogatorycomment’madeinaFacebookpost,wherehewishedthePrimeMinister’sdeath.Whenhefailedtorespond,thecourtsentencedhiminabsentiatosixmonthsinprisonforcontemptofcourtandorderedpolicetostartaseditioncaseagainsthim.On7August2015,aDhakacourtreportedlysentencedKhandakerinabsentiatothreeyearsinprisonforsedition.Otherinformation:KhandakerhasbeenstayinginAustraliasince2009onstudyleave.Update:On11January2016KhandakerwasreportedlyfiredbyJahangirnagarUniversityalongsidehisAssistantProfessorMuftiMahmud.

CaseClosed

AsifMOHIUDDIN:Profession:Prominentblogger,hisBengali-languageblogAlmightyonlyinname,butimpotentinreality,issaidtobeoneofthemostpopularblogsinBangladesh.Hewritesaboutreligiousissues,freedomofexpression,humanrightsandhealsocommentsonnewsitems.Dateofarrest:3April2013and29July2013Dateofrelease:27June2013and7August2013Detailsofarrest:Mohiuddinwasarrestedforwritinganopenlyatheistblog,whichhasbeensuspendedunderorderbytheBangladeshTelecommunicationRegulatoryCommissionsince21March2013.Detailsoftrial:Hewasaccusedof‘hurtingreligioussentiments’,underSection57(2)ofthe2006InformationandCommunicationsTechnologyAct,andcouldfaceupto14yearsinprison.On27June2013,thecourtheardandacceptedapetitionforMohiuddin’sconditionalreleaseforonemonthonhealthgrounds,buthereturnedtojailon29Julywhenhisapplicationforpermanentbailwasrefused.Hewasagainreleasedon7August2013whenafurtheronemonthbailorderwasissued.Hewaschargedon8September2013andhistrialbeganon6November2013.On16February2014,theHighCourtof

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Bangladeshputthecaseonholdforthreemonthsandaskedthegovernmenttoexplainwhyitshouldnotbescrapped.HeremainsfreeandarrivedinGermanyonaone-yearscholarshipinApril2014.AccordingtoMohiuddin,hewassuccessfulinhisapplicationtoputthecaseonholdforoneyear,duetoexpireinlate2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:MohiuddinwasstabbedwhileleavinghisofficeintheUttaradistrict,Dhaka,on14January2012.Onthedayoftheattack,threeunidentifiedmenstabbedhimseveraltimesbeforetheyfled.Theauthoritiesaresaidtobeinvestigatingtheattack.PENhasnofurtherinformationontheoutcomeoftheinvestigationasof30June2016.PENAction:RAN16/13–5April2013Caseclosed:MohiuddiniscurrentlyinGermany.

CAMBODIA

Cambodia’scrackdownondissenthasintensifiedoverthepastyear.Previously,attentionfocusedonthepoliticalopposition–atleast11oppositionactivistsarenowinprison,whiletheCambodiaNationalRescueParty’s(CNRP)leaderremainsinself-imposedexilefollowingtheissuanceofanarrestwarrantrelatingtocriminaldefamationcharges.Morerecently,thegovernmenthasbeguncastingitsnetwider–targetingstudents,intellectuals,academicsandcivilsocietyactivistswithincreasingregularity.InJuly2015,NationalAssemblypassedtheLawonAssociationsandNGOs,whichallowstheauthoritiestoarbitrarilydenyNGO’sregistrationandshutthemdowniftheyareseentobepartisanortohaveunderminednationalunity,peace,nationalsecurity,orCambodianculture.TheauthoritieshaveincreasinglyharassedanddetainedNGOrepresentatives,particularlythoseworkingonlandrightsissues.Studentsandintellectualshavebeenarrested.AccordingtotheCambodiaCentreforHumanRights,2016todatehasalsoseenanincreaseinthenumberofinternetusersbeingdetainedandcriminallychargedforcommentstheyhavemadeonline.

Killed:impunity

TaingTRY:Profession:investigativejournalistfortheVealntrinewspaperDateofdeath:12October2014Detailsofdeath:Try,aged48,wasgatheringevidenceofthesmugglingofillegalluxurywoodintheTuolPunleyhillinPumKsemKangKrowvillage,Kratieregioninnorth-eastCambodia.Trywasreportedlyshottodeathoutsidehiscar.Detailsofinvestigation:On15October2014threepeoplewerearrestedbythepoliceandchargedwithTry’sdeath.Twoofthem,theformerchiefofpoliceinMondolkiri’sSreChhoukcommuneandamilitarypoliceofficer,werereleasedinDecember2014.Thesereleasesoccuredjustbeforewitnessestothekillingweretobequestionedandafterpolicesaidthatthethirdmanarrested,aformersoldier,hadconfessedtokillingTryonhisown.Alocalhumanrightsgroupexpressedconcernatthereleases.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

SuonCHAN:Profession:reporterforMeakeaKampucheanewspaperDateofdeath:1February2014Detailsofdeath:Chan,aged44,wasreportedlybeatentodeathoutsidehishomeinPeamChhkorkcommune,CholkiridistrictofcentralKampongChhnangprovince,byagroupoffishermen.Theassailantsreportedlybeathimrepeatedlywithsticksandstones,andattackedtworelativeswhocametohisaid.Chandiedonhiswaytohospital.Detailsofinvestigation:ThepolicechiefofPeamChhkorkcommunetoldthePhnomPenhPostthatpreliminaryinvestigationsindicatedthatthoseinvolvedinillegalfishingwerelikelyrelatedtothemurder.However,Cholkiridistrict’spolicechiefreportedlytoldRadioFreeAsiathatinitialinvestigationsindicatedthatChan’smurderwasnotrelatedtohisworkasajournalist,statingthatinvestigationshadidentifiedthreesuspects,butthatnoarrestshadbeenmadebyJune2014.On7October2014,thetrialinabsentiaofsixmenchargedwithChan’s

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murderopenedatKampongChangprovincialcourt.Oneofthemwasarrestedon14October.On23October,sevenjournalistsreportedlysubmittedareporttothepoliceclaimingthatChan’srealmurdererswerefourmennotwantedbythepoliceandthatthesixontrialhadbeenframedbypolice.Thepolicedeniedthejournalists’allegations.On12November2014,thesixmenweresentencedto13yearsinjail,fiveoftheminabsentia.On2March2015,theKampongChhangProvincialCourtrejectedtheappealoftheonlyassailanttobeheldindetention.Duringthesame2Marchhearing,allsixmenwerereportedlyorderedtopayfivemillionriel(approx.US$1,245)incompensationtothevictim’sfamily.Theotherfivewerereportedtobeontherunasof25March2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:ChanhadrecentlyreportedonillegalfishinginPeamChhkorkcommune,whichhadledtoapolicecrackdownonactivities.

Detained:investigation

*UmSAMAN:Profession:lawmakerfortheCambodiaNationalRescueParty(CNRP)Dateofarrest:11April2016Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,UmSamAnwasarrestedinSiemReapprovince,north-westCambodia,shortlyafterhereturnedfromanoverseastrip.Detailsoftrial:On12April2016,thePhnomPenhMunicipalCourtplacedUmSamAnunderpre-trialdetentiononchargesofincitementtocommitafelonyandincitementtocausediscrimination.ThechargesstemfrompostsmadeonFacebookinwhichUmSamAnaccusedtherulingCambodianPeople’sParty(CPP)offailingtostoplandencroachmentbyVietNamandstatedthatthegovernmentwasusingimpropermapstodemarcatetheborderbetweenthetwoformercoloniesofFrance,accordingtonewsreports.UmSamAnreportedlystatedthatonlyFrenchcolonialmapsofCambodia’sborderwithVietNamwerevalidaccordingtotheConstitution.Thechargesofincitementcarrypenaltiesofsixmonthstotwoyearsinprisonoronetothreeyearsinprison,respectively,inadditiontoafine.Assuch,ifconvictedhecouldfaceuptofiveyearsinprison.UmSamAn’slawyerisreportedtohavearguedthathisarrestviolatesArticle80oftheConstitution,whichprovidesNationalAssemblydeputieswithimmunityfromarrestorprosecution.However,justiceofficialshavearguedthathisarrestislegalasitfallsundertheexceptionofinflagrantedelicto,whichallowsforindividualstobeprosecutedifcaughtred-handedcommittingacrime.On12April,theNationalAssemblyreportedlyheldanextraordinarysessioninwhichitapprovedamotiontoletthecourtcontinueitsreviewofUmSamAn’scase.TheCNRPisreportedtohaveboycottedthesession.Placeofdetention:PreySarprisonBackground:UmSamAnisalawmakerforCambodia’soppositionparty.

Deaththreat

*OukTOUCH:Profession:journalistforKampucheaDevelopmentNewspaperDateofthreat:10April2016Detailsofthreat:OukTouchreportedlyfiledacomplaintagainstalocalpoliceofficeron11April2016,aftertheofficerinquestionthreatenedtokillhimifhepublishedstoriesaboutmalpractice.ThepoliceofficerisreportedtohavebrandishedanAK-47atOukTouch’shomeandwarnedhimnottowritearticlesagainsthim.Background:thepoliceofficerisaccusedoffiringatvillagers’homesforfunwhiledrunk.Novillagerswereharmedduringtheincident.

Harassment

*DetMENGKHEANG:(f)Profession:socialmediauserDateofharassment:25January2016Detailsofharassment:MengkheangwasreportedlyarrestedandinterrogatedbypolicefromtheInteriorMinistry’sinternalsecuritydepartment,inconnectionwithaFacebookpost.ShewasreportedlyreleasedaftertheauthoritiesdeterminedthatherFacebookaccounthadbeenhacked.Background:Mengkheanghadreportedlybeenidentifiedastheownerofthe‘KimBopha’Facebookaccount,whichpostedanimagetoFacebookon17JanuarythatclaimedPrimeMinisterHunSendiedafterbeingcursedin

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2014;itscaptionread:‘ThecorpseofHunSendiedatahospitalinSingaporebybeingcursedbytheKhmerpeoplein2014.’

*NuonVITYEATHIKA:(f)Profession:formergraduatestudentandsocialmediauserDateofharassment:31January2016Detailsofharassment:AsenioracademicreportedlythreatenedtobringadefamationsuitagainstVityeathika,aformerstudentatKhemarakUniversity,whocriticisedvariousfeesdemandedbytheuniversityonFacebook.Thethreatwasonlyliftedonceshehadretractedhercommentsandissuedafullpublicapology.Background:Theacademicinquestionisreportedtobepart-ownerofKhemarakUniversityanditsrector.

JudicialHarassment

*ChhamCHHANY:Profession:socialmediauserDateofharassment:(1)22January2016(2)29June2016Detailsofharassment:(1)On22January,thesonofPrimeMinisterHunSenreportedlyfiledacriminaldefamationcomplaintagainstChhanywiththeNationalPoliceinrelationtoaFacebookpost.(2)Accordingtoreportsdated1July2016,theMinistryforNationalAssembly-SenateRelationscalledforlegalactionagainstChhanyinapublicstatementpublishedon29June2016.ChhanyisreportedtohaveallegedinaFacebookposton26June2016thatitsleaderwashavinganaffairwithanEducationMinistryofficial.Background:Chhany,whoisreportedtohavemorethan250,000Facebookfollowers,isthoughttobelivingabroad.InaFacebookpost,ChhanyreportedlyallegedthatthePrimeMinister’ssonandwifewereinvolvedinillegallogging.MembersofthePrimeMinister’sfamilyandinnercirclewerepreviouslylinkedtoillegallogginginthe2007GlobalWitnessreport‘Cambodia’sFamilyTrees:Illegalloggingandthestrippingofpublicassets.’IllegalloggingiscontributingtoCambodia’sforestsbeingchoppeddownatoneofthefastestratesintheworld.

Sentenced

YormBOPHA(f):Profession:activistandprotestsongwriterDateofarrest:4September2012Sentence:Threeyearsinprison,reducedtotwoyearsonappeal.Detailsofarrest:YormBophahasbeenactivelyinvolvedinhercommunity'sstruggleagainstforcedevictionsrelatedtoalandconflictatBoengKakLakeinPhnomPenh.Dateofrelease:On22November2013aSupremeCourtruledtoreleaseBophaonbailpendingare-hearingofhercasebytheCourtofAppeal.Detailsoftrial:On27December2012,theMunicipalCourtinCambodia’scapitalPhnomPenhconvictedYormBopha,31,of‘intentionalviolencewithaggravatingcircumstances’,sentencinghertothreeyears’imprisonment.ShewasaccusedofplanninganassaultontwomeninAugust2012.Butduringthetrialwitnesstestimonieswereinconsistent,sometimesconflictingwitheachotherandsomewitnessesadmittedtobeingintoxicatedwhentheallegedcrimeoccurred.SheiswidelybelievedtobetargetedforpeacefullyprotestingforcedevictionsrelatedtoalandconflictintheBoengKakcommunity.HerconvictionwasupheldonappealinlateJune2013,andthesentencewasreducedtotwoyears.YormBophawasinjailbetween4September2012and22November2013,leavingbehindheryoungsonandhusbandwhoisinillhealth.YormBophawritesprotestlyricstopopularsongtuneswhicharethenchantedatdemonstrations.Whileinprison,shewasreportedlychroniclingherexperiencesinprisoninadiary.Update:On28June2016,theCourtofAppealreportedlyfoundBophaguiltyof‘intentionalviolencewithaggravatingcircumstances’followingare-trial.Bophawasgivenathree-yearprisonsentence,whichwilltakeintoaccountthefourteenmonthsshespentinprison,withtheremainderofhersentencesuspended.PENAction:CalltoAction14October2014.BophawasunabletoattendasideeventorganisedbyPENandARTICLE19duringthe18thSessionoftheUniversalPeriodicReviewunderwhichCambodiawastobeexaminedasshewasunabletoobtainapassportintime.Shegavehertestimonyviavideolink.Awards:2014JamesLawsonAward

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CHINA

Deathincustody:Impunity

CAOShunli(f):Profession:activistDateofdeath:14March2014Detailsofarrest:CaowasinterceptedatBeijingairporton14September2013whileattemptingtoboardaflighttoGenevatoattendtotakepartinahumanrightstrainingonUNmechanismsorganisedbyaninternationalhumanrightsorganisation.On30October2013,humanrightslawyer,MsWangYu(see‘Detained:maincase’),wasfinallypermittedaccesstotheChaoyangDetentionCentreinBeijingwhereCaowasbeingheldonchargesof‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtrouble.’Therewerereportsthatshewastorturedwhileinpolicecustody.Background:Caohadbeenanactiveparticipantinsit-insinfrontoftheMinistryofforeignAffairsfrommid-Juneuntilherarrestandhadbeencampaigningsince2008forgreatercivilsocietyinvolvementinChina'sdraftingofitsreportsfortheUniversalPeriodicReview(UPR)andofitsNationalHumanRightsActionPlans.China’sUPRreviewtookplaceon22October2013;CaoShunliwaspreviouslysenttoaprisoncampforRe-educationThroughLabourforoneyearinApril2010,andforoneyearandthreemonthsinApril2011becauseofherpeacefulactivismandhumanrightswork.Caowentintodetentioninillhealth,andtoldherlawyerinOctoberthatshewasnotreceivingmedicaltreatment.Cao’slawyermadeseveralrequestsformedicalparole.Theauthoritiesdidnotrespondtotheserequestsuntil20February2014whenshewascriticallyillandwastransferredtoamilitaryhospitalinBeijing.Caodiedin309militaryhospitalon14March2014.Cao’slawyerreportedthatthehospitalinitiallyrefusedtoallowherfamilymemberstoviewCao'sbody,butlaterallowedonlythefamilytodoso.

Enforceddisappearance

GUIMinhai:(Swedishnational)Profession:writer,publisherandformerIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC)BoardmemberDateofdisappearance:mid-October2015Detailsofdisappearance:Guiwentmissinginmid-OctoberwhileinThailand,wherehehasahome.HeisbelievedtohavebeenabductedbyChineseofficialsandforciblyreturnedtoChina.Update:On17January2016,Guiappearedinatelevised‘confession’onstatebroadcasterCCTV.ThebroadcastconfirmedprevioussuspicionsthatGuiwasbeingheldinmainlandChina.Inthevideo,GuireportedlyclaimedthathehadvoluntarilysurrenderedhimselftotheChineseauthoritiesoverhissupposedinvolvementinafatalhit-and-runincidentwhichtookplaceinDecember2003.SubsequentstatemediareportshavesaidthatGuiisnowbeinginvestigatedforotherunspecifiedcriminalactivities.On24February2016,SwedishdiplomatsinBeijingarereportedtohavevisitedGui.However,inMay2016Gui’sdaughtercalledontheinternationalcommunitytohelpherfather,statingthatshehasnoknowledgeofthewhereaboutsofhisdetentionnorofhislegalstatus.Background:TheHongKong-basedMightyCurrenthaspublishedandmarketedbookshighlycriticalofmainlandChina.Thetitlesarebannedonthemainland,wherethenewsmediaandthepublishingindustryaretightlycontrolledbythegovernment.ThepublishinghousewasreportedlypreparingtopublishabookontheprivatelifeofChina’sPresident,XiJinping.SinceOctober2015,fiveemployeesofthepublisherMightyCurrentanditsretailarmCausewayBookStorehavedisappeared.TheyincludeCausewayBookStoremanager,LinRongji;generalmanagerLuBo;andstaffmemberofthepublishinghouseandbookshop,ZhangZhiping,whoarereportedtohavedisappearedwhiletravellinginmainlandChinainOctober,aswellaseditoratthepublishinghouse,LeeBo,whodisappearedfromHongKongon30December(see‘Released’below).PENAction:12November2015statement

HUANGZerong(penname:TieLiu):Profession:writerDateofbirth:20May1933Dateofdisappearance:May2016Detailsofdisappearance:AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,Huanghasbeenunreachable

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since13May2016;policehadreportedlytakenhim‘fortea’.HiswifereportsthatshecontactedtheChengdupolice,Sichuanprovince,uponherreturntothecountryon16Mayandwastold‘don’tworry,hewillbefine.’Thepolicegavenofurtherinformation.Huanghadalsobeenbrieflydetainedbetween28Marchand1Aprilonsuspicionof‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtrouble,’accordingtoreports.Huang’swhereaboutsremainedunknownasof30June2016.Background:Huang,whoturned83inMay2016,beganhiscareerinthe1950sasajournalist,whoalsowroteessays,shortstoriesandpoems.Huangservedover20yearsinprisonduringthesocalled‘anti-rightist’campaignduringtheMaoregime.HehaspublishedanumberofmemoirsofdissidentswhosufferedrepressionunderMao’srule.On25February2015Huangreceivedasuspendedsentenceoftwoandahalfyearsinjail,afterpleadingguiltytothechargeof’illegalbusinessactivity’inacourtinChengdu,Sichuanprovince.Hewasfined30,000yuan(approx.US$4,800)andreleasedonbailthesameday.HuangwasprohibitedfromreturningtoBeijing,wherehehadlivedfordecades,andforcedtostayinChengdu.Huang’senforceddisappearanceisprobablylinkedtooneofhisrecentessaysinwhichhecriticisedamemberoftheCommunistPartywhoistheadvisoronideologyandpropaganda(seepreviousCaseListformoreinformation).Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

Imprisoned:maincase

CHENShuqing:Profession:dissidentwriter,activistandmemberofICPCDateofbirth:26September1965Sentence:10-and-a-halfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:11September2014Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedbyDomesticSecurityofficersfromtheHangzhouPublicSecurityBureau,athishomeinHangzhou,forhisonlinewritingsanddissidentarticles.On17October2014,Chenwasformallyarrestedandchargedwith‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’.Detailsoftrial:On29September2015ChenwastriedbeforetheHangzhouIntermediatePeople’sCourtfor‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’.Overthecourseofthetrial,theprosecutionreportedlycitedChen’swritingspublishedoverseasasevidence.Update:On17June2016,Chenwassentencedto10-and-a-halfyearsinprisonbytheHangzhouIntermediatePeople’sCourt.Placeofdetention:HangzhouCitydetentioncentre.Background:ChenisaformerPENMainCasewhoservedafour-yearsentencefor‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’inconnectionwiththeChinaDemocracyParty(CDP)andarticleshewrotecallingfordemocraticreform.HewasreleasedinSeptember2010(seepreviousCaseLists).Chenwasaparticipantinthe1986and1989studentmovements,andgraduatedfromHangzhouUniversitywithMaster’sDegreeinSciencein1990.Award:Chenwashonouredwiththe2014LiuXiaoboCouragetoWriteAward.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

CHENWei:Profession:freelancewriterandactivistDateofBirth:21February1969Sentence:Nineyearsinprisonandtwoyears’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expires:2020Dateofarrest:21February2011Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedon21February2011aspartofacrackdownonhumanrightsdefendersandactivistsacrossthecountry,apparentlyinresponsetoanonymouscallsfor‘JasmineRevolution’protests.Detailsoftrial:Formallychargedon28March2011,bythePublicSecurityBureauofSuiningCity,SichuanProvince,with‘suspicionofincitingsubversionofstatepower’forseveralessayspublishedonlineonoverseaswebsitescallingforfreedomofspeechandpoliticalreform.Convictedof‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’ataclosedtwo-hourtrialon23December2011inrelationtosevenpassagesinfouressayscriticisingtheChinesepoliticalsystemandpraisingthedevelopmentofcivilsociety.Currentplaceofdetention:JualingPrison,NanchongCity,SichuanProvince.Conditionsofdetention:ChenwasgrantedhisfirstfamilyvisitinJanuary2012afterbeingheldfor11monthsinprison.Background:ChenWeiwasafirstyearstudentatBeijingUniversityofTechnologyin1989andwasdismissedfromtheuniversityforhisinvolvementinthepro-democracymovement.In1999,hewassentencedtofiveyears’imprisonmenton‘counter-revolutionary’offencesforhisinvolvementintheChinaLiberalDemocracyParty.HeisasignatoryofCharter08,a

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manifestofordemocraticreform.PENAction:RAN66/11–26December2011Award:RecipientofIndependentChinesePENCentre2011LiuXiaoboCouragetoWriteAward.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).CHENXI(akaCHENYoucai):Profession:freelancewriterandprominenthumanrightsactivistDateofBirth:2April1954Sentence:10yearsinprisonandthreeyears’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expires:2021Dateofarrest:29November2011Detailsofarrest:ChenisamemberoftheGuizhouHumanRightsForum,whichwasdeclaredan‘illegalorganisation’bytheGuizhouauthoritieson5December2011,priortotheUNHumanRightsDay(10December).ChenwasdetainedinNovember2011afterheannouncedhisintentiontorunfortheGuiyangCityPeople’sCongressElectionasanindependentcandidate.Atleast10othermembersofthegroupwerearrestedbutallwerelaterreleasedwithoutcharge.Currentplaceofdetention:XingyiPrison,GuizhouprovinceDetailsoftrial:SentencedbyaGuiyangcourtfor‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’atatrialon26December2011whichlastedlessthanthreehours.ThespeedofthelegalprocessofChen’scaseisunprecedented.Accordingtothecourtverdict,hisconvictionisbasedonseveralquotationsfromover30ofhisarticlespublishedonoverseasChinese-languagewebsites.Hehasdecidednottoappealtheverdict.Conditionsindetention:InearlyFebruary2012,Chen’swifereportedthatshewasallowedtovisithiminprisonandthathehadseriousfrostbiteinhisfingers.PrisonofficersrefusedtoaccepttheextrapiecesofclothingshehadbroughtforChen.InlateDecember2014,aftervisitingChen,hiswifereportedthathishealthremainsofconcernandthathisapplicationformedicalparolehadbeenrejected.TherearealsoreportsthatChenhasbeenill-treatedandheldinsolitaryconfinementonseveraloccasions.Accordingtoreports,Chenhasnotbeenallowedtosendorreceivelettersfromfamilyandfriends,andhasalsobeenprohibitedfrommakingathree-minutephonecalltohisfamilyeachmonthwhichistheusualallowancegiventootherinmatesoftheprison.ChenXiiscurrentlyallowedonlya20-minutevisitfromhisfamilyeverymonth,forwhichtheyhavetotravel400km.Healthconcerns:InJanuary2015Chenreportedlytoldhiswifethathereceivedinadequatetreatmentforchronicdiarrhoea.Background:ChenXihasalreadyservedatotalof13yearsinprisonon‘counter-revolutionary’offencesforhispeacefulactivism,threeyearsfrom1989-1992and10yearsfrom1995-2005.Awards:Recipientofthe2014Hellman/Hammettaward.HonoraryMember:IndependentChinesePENCentre.PENAction:RAN1/12–6January2012.

DONGRubin(alsoknownasBianmin):Profession:writer,bloggerandbusinessmanDateofbirth:1962Sentence:Six-and-a-halfyearsinprisonExpires:9March2020Dateofarrest:10September2013Detailsofarrest:Initiallyarrestedforallegedlypostingfalseinformationonlineforprofitanddisruptingpublicorder,byofficersofthePublicSecurityBureauofWuhuaDistrict,KunmingCity.DonghadpreviouslypostedcriticalcommentsagainsttheChineseauthoritiesonissuesincludingallegedcorruption.Currentplaceofdetention:DetentionCentreofWuhuaDistrict.Detailsoftrial:On23July2014Dongwasconvictedof‘illegalbusinessoperations’and‘fabricatingandspreadingonlinerumoursforeconomicgain’andsentencedtosix-and-a-halfyearsinprison.Inthetrial,thecourtreferredtoaSeptember2013proclamationthatrenderedformsofonlineexpressionliabletoprosecution.On4December2014,theIntermediatePeople’sCourtofKunmingCity,Yunnanprovince,confirmedtheverdictandrejectedhisappeal.Conditionsindetention:Reportedlyill-treatedforrefusingtoconfess.BackgroundInformation:Beforehisarrest,Donghadpredictedhisdetention,citingthefactthatstrangershadraidedhisofficeinAugust2013andtakenthreecomputers.HonoraryMember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

FUZhibin:Profession:writerandfilmmakerDateofbirth:1964Sentence:oneyearand10monthsinprisonandafineof150,000yuan(approx.US$23,505)Dateofarrest:9September2014Detailsofarrest:Fuwasreportedlyinitiallydetainedon9September2014byQingshanhudistrictpolice,andwas

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indictedbythelocalstateprosecutionofficeinDecember2014.FuwasdetainedoverthepublicationofhisbookAHistoryofBrainwashingandchargedwith‘runninganillegalbusiness’.Currentplaceofdetention:NanchangNo.1DetentionCenterDetailsoftrial:On4December2015,authoritiesintheprovinceofJiangxireportedlysentencedFutooneyearand10monthsinprisononchargesof‘runninganillegalbusiness’.ThecourtaccusedFuofpublishinghisbookAHistoryofBrainwashinginTaiwanandthensellingmorethanonethousandcopiesinmainlandChina.Fuwasalsofined150,000yuan(approx.US$23,505),and,asthechargewas‘runninganillegalbusiness’hisassistantWuWeiandhisprinterZhaoZhenhuowerealsojailedforoneyearandfivemonthsandoneyearandthreemonths,respectively.Conditionsindetention:Fuhadreportedlybeendetainedformorethanayearbeforethecasewasbroughttotrial,andwasmistreatedduringhisincarcerationattheNanchangNo.1DetentionCenter.Background:FuisanoutspokenauthorandheisreportedtobeveryactiveontheInternet,whereheopenlycriticisestheCommunistParty.InhisbookAHistoryofBrainwashing,FudescribestheChineseCommunistPartyashavingseizedpowerwithbackingfromtheSovietUnion,andashavingbrainwashedandcontrolledthethoughtsofChinesecitizensthrough‘redterror’.Authoritiesdeemedthistobe‘slander’,accordingtotheIndependentChinesePENCentre.HehasalsomadefilmsaboutTibetanBuddhism.HonoraryMember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

GUOQuan:Profession:internetwriterandactivistDateofBirth:8May1968Sentence:10yearsinprisonandthreeyears’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expires:2018Dateofarrest:13November2008Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedathishomeinNanjing,capitalofJiangsuprovinceforsuspicionof‘subversionofstatepower’.Atthetimeofhisarrest,thepoliceconfiscatedGuoQuan’sarticlesandhiscomputer.HewasheldincommunicadoatNanjingCityPublicSecurityBureau.Currentplaceofdetention:PukouPrison,Nanjing,JiangsuProvince.Detailsoftrial:GuoQuanwasformallychargedwith‘subversionofstatepower’on19December2008.On16October2009,acourtinJiangsuprovincesentencedGuoQuanto10yearsinprisonandthreeyearsofdeprivationofpoliticalrightsforhispro-democracyactivitiesandcriticalwritings.Guowaschargedforaseriesofarticlesentitled‘HeraldofDemocracy’postedonlinebetweenmid-2007andNovember2008,andforfoundingtheoppositionChinaNewDemocracyParty(CNDP).Hissentencewasupheldonappealon25December2009.Background:Guoisaformercriminal-courtjudgeandliteratureprofessoratNanjingNormalUniversity;however,duetohispoliticalactivitieshehasbeenbannedfromteaching.HewroteseveralopenletterstoChineseleadersandwasfrequentlybrieflydetainedbypolice,mostrecentlyinMay2008whenhespent10daysinprisonaftercriticisingthegovernment’sresponsetothe12May2008Sichuanearthquake.Awards:Recipientofthe2011Hellman/Hammettaward.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre,UyghurPENandGuatemalanPEN.PENAction:RAN63/08–2December2008;Update#1–2November2009.

JINAndi:Profession:freelancewriterDateofBirth:23May1953Sentence:eightyearsinprisonandoneyeardeprivationofpoliticalrightsExpires:January2019Dateofarrest:17January2011Detailsofarrest:Jinwasreportedlyarrestedon17January2011andchargedwith‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’inarticlescriticalofformerChairmanoftheChineseCommunistParty,JiangZemin,publishedfrom2000-2010alongwithLüJiaping(seepreviousCaseListsformoreinformation).Jinwasreportedlyheldunderresidentialsurveillance19September2010.Currentplaceofdetention:XianPrisoninShaanxiprovinceDetailsoftrial:Sentencedtoeightyearsinprisononchargesof‘subversionofstatepower’bytheBeijingFirstIntermediateCourton13May2011.Threearticleswereusedasevidencetoconvictthem,inparticularanarticlepublishedin2009,‘TwoTraitorsTwoFakes’,discussingJiang’shistoricalbackground.Background:JinhadallegedlyprovidedLüwithinformationforsomeofthewritingswhilealsohelpingrevisedraftsanddisseminatethearticles.

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LIBifeng:Profession:Chineseactivist,novelistandpoetDateofbirth:3March1964Sentence:10yearsinprisonExpires:7September2021Dateofarrest:8September2011Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,leadingSichuanactivistLiBifeng,aged48,wasarrestedon8September2011afterbeingsummonedforquestioningbypoliceinMianyangcity,Sichuanprovince,foralleged‘economiccrimes’.Currentplaceofdetention:JintangPrison,QingjiangTown,JintangCounty,SichuanProvince610409.Detailsoftrial:LiBifengwasconvictedofalleged‘contractfraud’bytheShehongCountyPeople’sCourt,Sichuanprovince,on19November2012andhandeddowna12-yearprisonsentence,whichwasreducedto10yearsonappeal,on25June2013.Heisbelievedtobetargetedforhispeacefulpoliticalactivism,inparticularhislinkswithexiledChinesewriterLiaoYiwu,whoisaclosefriendofLi’sandwhofledChinatwomonthsbeforeLi’sarrestBackground:LiBifengisaprolificpoetandnovelistaswellasawell-knowndissident,whohasspentatotalofover12yearsinprisonsince1990forhisactivismandcriticalwritings.Heservedafive-yearsentencefortakingpartinthe1989pro-democracymovement,followedbyaseven-yearjailtermfrom1998-2005forreportingonaworkers’protestintheSichuancityofMianyangin1998.Whileinprison,Liproducedpoetryandkeptadiary.Someofhisworkcanbefoundhere.VaguelywordedeconomiccrimesareoftenusedtosuppresspoliticaldissentinChina.Awards:Recipientofthe2014Hellman/Hammettaward.Honorarymember:GermanPENandIndependentChinesePENCentre.PENAction:RAN31/12andupdateLITie:Profession:humanrightsactivistanddissidentwriterDateofBirth:March1962Sentence:10yearsinprisonandthreeyears’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expiry:2020Dateofarrest:15September2010Detailsofarrest:ArrestedbytheWuhanCityPublicSecurityBureau.Currentplaceofdetention:InFebruary2012LiwastransferredtoHuangzhouPrison,HuanggangCity, TuanfengCounty,HubeiProvince.Detailsoftrial:Liwasinitiallyarrestedonsuspicionof‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’forhiscriticalarticles.Thechargewaschangedtothemoreserious‘subversionofstatepower’on22October2010.Hewassentencedto10yearsinprisonbytheWuhanIntermediatePeople’sCourton18January2012.Theevidenceagainsthimincludedmembershipofthebannedpoliticalgroup,theChinaSocialDemocracyParty,andaseriesofcriticalonlineessaysandwritings,inparticularanarticleentitled‘HumanBeings’HeavenIsHumanDignity.’Histrialhasnotbeenconductedinaccordancewithdueprocessorinternationalstandardsoffairness,andLihasbeenpreventedfromappealingtheverdict.Atahearingon18April2011hislawyerwasrejectedbythecourtandtwocourt-appointedlawyerswereassigned.Healthconcerns:Hishealthissaidtobedeterioratinginprison.Otherinformation:Duringthepastdecade,Lihaswrittenmanyonlinearticlespromotingdemocracy,constitutionalgovernment,anddirectlocalelections.HehasalsoorganizedactivitiestohonourthememoryofLinZhao,thewell-knownBeijingUniversitystudentjailedinthe1950sandexecutedbythegovernmentin1968forherviewsandwritings.HeisalsoasignatoryofCharter08.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).PENAction:RAN07/12–1February2012

LIANGQinhui(akaJiandao‘SharpKnife’or‘Dagger’):Profession:internetwriterSentence:18monthsinprisonandtwoyears’deprivationofpoliticalrightsDateofarrest:4February2015Detailsofarrest:LiangQinhuiwasreportedlyarrestedon4February2015bytheHaizhuDistrictBranchofGuangzhouPublicSecurityBureauforhisonlinecommentssupportingtheUmbrellaMovement–a2014pro-democracymovement–inHongKong.Hewaschargedwith‘suspicionofincitingsubversiontostatepower’.Currentplaceofdetention:DetentionCenterofHaizhuDistrict,GuangzhouCity,GuangdongProvinceDetailsoftrial:On13November2015,LiangstoodtrialintheIntermediatePeople’sCourtinGuangzhou,wherehepleadednotguilty.Accordingtheindictment,Liangwastriedaccusedofposting‘sensitiveandextreme’commentstothepopularchatroomsiteQQ,withtheprosecutionfocusinginparticularonhiscomment:‘bettertobeanAmericandogthanaChinesepig.’Update:On8April2016,

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theIntermediatePeople’sCourtofGuangzhouCity,GuangdongProvince,sentencedLiangto18monthsinprison.Background:ThelineoftextwasanapparentreferencetotheMao-eradescriptionoftheUnitedStatesas‘capitalistrunningdogs,’andcomesagainstabackgroundofundergroundsatiricalcartoonsinthestyleofGeorgeOrwell’sAnimalFarmshowingpigsdressedasrulingChineseCommunistPartyofficials.Accordingtotheindictment,Liang’spostings‘showevidenceofforeigninfluence,’citinghisuseofthewebcircumventiontoolFreegatetoviewoverseaswebsitesnormallyblockedbyChina’scensorshipsystem,collectivelyknownastheGreatFirewall.HonoraryMember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).[StopPress:Liangwasreleasedonexpiryofhissentenceon3August2016]

LIUXianbin:Profession:dissidentwriterandactivistDateofBirth:25August1968Sentence:10yearsinprisonandfourmonths’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expires:7June2020Dateofarrest:28June2010Detailsofarrest:Arrestedafterpoliceinterrogatedhimandsearchedhishome.FourteenpoliceofficersfromtheSuiningCityPublicSecurityBureauconfiscatedharddrives,USBdevices,hisbankcard,andsixnoticesfromhiseditorsregardingremunerationforseveralarticleshepublishedonoverseaswebsites.Currentplaceofdetention:ChuanzhongPrison,NanchongCity,SichuanProvince.Detailsoftrial:Chargedon5July2010with‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’inaseriesarticlescallingforpoliticalreformpublishedinoverseasChinese-languagewebsitesfromAugust2009toJune2010.Sentencedon25March2011bytheSuiningIntermediatePeople’sCourtatatrialwhichreportedlydidnotcomplywithinternationalstandardsforfairtrial.Conditionsindetention:Itisreportedthathehasbeenforcedtolabourfor13hoursdaily.Background:Liupreviouslyservednineyearsofa13-yearjailsentencefrom1999to2008forhispartinorganisingtheSichuanbranchoftheoutlawedChinaDemocraticParty.Afterhisrelease,hewasoneofthefirstsignatoriesofCharter08.Award:Recipientofthe2011Hellman/HammettawardandtheIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC)2010LiuXiaoboCouragetoWriteaward.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

LIUXiaobo:Profession:prominentdissidentwriter,formerPresidentandBoardmemberoftheIndependentChinesePENCentreand2010NobelPeaceLaureate.DateofBirth:28December1955Sentence:11yearsinprisonandtwoyears’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expires:21June2020Dateofarrest:8December2008Detailsofarrest:ArrestedforsigningCharter08,adeclarationcallingforpoliticalreformsandhumanrights.HeldunderResidentialSurveillance,aformofpre-trialdetention,atanundisclosedlocationinBeijing,untilhewasformallychargedwith‘incitingsubversionofstatepower'on23June2009.ThechargeissaidtobebasedonhisendorsementofCharter08andovertwentyarticlespublishedbetween2001-2008.Currentplaceofdetention:JinzhouPrison,NanshanRoad86,TaiheDistrict,121013JinzhouCity,LiaoningProvince.Detailsoftrial:On25December2009Liuwassentencedto11yearsinprisonandtwoyears’deprivationofpoliticalrightsonchargesof‘incitementtosubversionofstatepower.’On11February2010,aBeijingCourtrejectedhisappeal.Accordingtoreports,LiuandhislegalteamfiledanextraordinaryappealagainsthisconvictioninNovember2013.Theextraordinaryappealseeksaretrialbasedonflawsintheoriginaltrialprocedure,ornewevidencewhichhascometolight.Liu’slegalteamhadreportedlyyettoreceivearesponseby25December2013.Liuhasbeenrefusedpermissiontoreceivevisitsfromhislegalteam,accordingtonewsreports.Asof30June2016,prisonauthoritiescontinuetodenyLiuaccesstohislegalteam.Conditionsofdetention:Liuwasreportedlygrantedavisitwithhiswifeduringthe2014ChineseNewYearperiod,accordingto6February2014reports.InAugust2015,Liu’sbrotherswerepermittedtovisithiminprison.Otherinformation:LiuXiaoboisamongalargenumberofdissidentswhoweredetainedorharassedafterissuinganopenletterin2008callingontheNationalPeople’sCongressStandingCommitteetoratifytheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR),andlaunchingCharter08,adeclarationcallingforpoliticalreformsandhumanrights.TheseactivitiesformedpartofcampaignsacrossChinatocommemoratethe60th

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AnniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(10December),andtheCharterwassignedbymorethan8000scholars,journalists,freelancewritersandactivists.Awards:The1990and1999Hellman-HammettGrant,PeopleinNeed(Czech)2009HomoHominiAward,RecipientofAmericanPEN2009FreedomtoWriteaward,2010GiuseppeMottaMedal,GermanPEN2010HermannKestenMedal,HRW2010AlisonDesForgesAward,2010NobelPeacePrize,PENCanada2012OneHumanityAward,andNED2014DemocracyAward.Hiswife,LiuXia(seebelow),wasunabletotraveltoNorwaytoreceivetheNobelPrizeonhisbehalfandremainsunderhousearrest.Manyofhissupportershavebeenarrestedorharassedsincetheprizewasannounced.Background:LiuXiaobofirstreceivedsupportfromPENin1989,whenhewasoneofagroupofwritersandintellectualsgiventhelabelthe‘BlackHandsofBeijing’bythegovernment,andarrestedfortheirpartintheTiananmenSquareprotests.Liuhassincespentatotaloffiveyearsinprison,includingathree-yearsentencepassedin1996,andhassufferedfrequentshortarrests,harassmentandcensorship.Honorarymember:HonoraryPresidentofIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC),andHonoraryMemberofScottish,German,American,Czech,Sydney,Iceland,English,CanadianandPortuguesePENCentres.

LÜGengsong:Profession:dissidentwriterandactivistDateofbirth:7January1956Sentence:11yearsinprisonandfiveyears’deprivationofpoliticalrightsDateofarrest:8July2014Detailsofarrest:ArrestedfromhishomeinHangzhou,afterapproximately20policemenraidedhishouse.Heisheldonsuspicionof‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’.Recently,Lühaspostedonlinecommentsaboutallegedcorruptofficials,aswellascasesofpetitionersinJiangsuprovince.Currentplaceofdetention:DetentionCenterofHangzhouCity,ZhejiangProvinceDetailsoftrial:On29September2015LüwastriedbeforetheHangzhouIntermediatePeople’sCourtfor‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’.AtLü’strial,prosecutorsreportedlycitedarticlespublishedbyLüoverseas,aswellashisattendanceatameetingwithotheractivists.Update:On17June2016,theIntermediatePeople’sCourtsentencedLüto11yearsinprison.Healthconcerns:Lü’swifetoldRadioFreeAsiathathesuffersfromhighbloodpressureanddiabetesBackground:LüisanICPCmemberandformerPENMainCasewhohaspublishedseveralbooksonpoliticalreform,includingAHistoryofChineseCommunityPartyCorruptOfficialsin2000.LüisknownforhisreportingonhumanrightsviolationsandhispoliticalcommentariespublishedontheInternet.HeisalsoanactivememberofthebannedChinaDemocracyParty(CDP).InNovember2013,hewasbrieflyarrestedundersimilarcharges,butwasreleased.Previously,heservedafour-yearprisonsentencefor‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’.HewasreleasedinAugust2011(seepreviousCaseLists).

LUJianhua(penname:WenYu):Profession:ResearchProfessorattheChineseAcademyofSocialSciences,DeputyDirectorofPublicPolicyResearchandExecutiveDirectoroftheChinaDevelopmentStrategyDateofBirth:3July1960Sentence:20yearsinprisonExpires:April2025Dateofarrest:April2005Currentplaceofdetention:BeijingCityjail.Detailsoftrial:FirstarrestedinApril2005onchargesof‘leakingstatesecrets’.Sentencedon18December2006to20yearsinprisonforleakingstatesecretstoaHongKongreporterChingCheong.ThelatterwassentencedtofiveyearsinprisonforspyingandwasamaincaseofPENInternational.Humanrightsgroupshavequestionedtheevidenceinthereporter’scase,butLu’strialwasheldinsecretandreportedlyonlylastedfor90minutes.Conditionsindetention:Reportedlyheldincommunicado.Hiswifeisnotallowedaccesstohim.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

QIChonghuai:Profession:journalistDateofBirth:7February1965Sentence:Fouryearsinprison,withanadditionaleightyearsaddedon9June2011Expires2019Dateofarrest:25June2007Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedfromhishomeinJinan,thecapitalofShandongprovince,easternChina,on25June2007followingthepublicationofanarticleallegingcorruptionintheTengzhou

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CommunistParty,whichwaspublishedinJune2007ontheXinhuanetwebsite.Qiwaschargedwithblackmailandextortionon2August2007forallegedlyacceptingbribesfromlocalofficialswhilstresearchingthearticle.Qiwasheldincommunicadoforthefirsttwomonthsofhisdetention,andclaimstohavebeenrepeatedlyassaultedandthreatenedbysecurityguardsthroughouthis11-monthpre-trialdetention.Thecasereturnedtothepoliceinmid-February2008duetolackofevidence,beforebeingbroughttotrialinMay2008.Currentplaceofdetention:TengzhouPrison,TenzhouCity,ShandongProvince.Detailsoftrial:Thetrialon13May2008atthePeople’sCourtofTengzhouCity,ShandongProvince,reportedlydidnotcomplywithinternationalstandardsoffairness.TheappealwasrejectedwithoutanyhearingbytheIntermediatePeople’sCourtofZaozhuangCityon24July2008.On9June2011Qiwassentencedtoafurthereightyearsinprison,twoweeksbeforetheendofhisfour-yearsentenceinconnectionwithfurtherchargesofextortionandblackmail.Itiswidelybelievedthathehasbeenadditionallysentencedforletterssmuggledoutofprisonin2009allegingill-treatmentinprison.Conditionsofdetention:Qihasreportedlybeensubjecttorepeatedseverebeatingsandill-treatmentbyprisonguardsandfellowin-matesthroughouthisdetention,includingoneattackinMay2009whichheclaimslefthimunconsciousforthreedays.ThisparticularlyharshtreatmentatthehandsofprisonguardsappearstobearesponsetoQi’sattemptstoreportontheappallingprisonconditionsatTengzhou.Letterssmuggledoutofprisondocumentthathehasbeenforcedtoworkover10hoursadayinacoalmine,withoutadequatefood,waterorrest,andasaresultofthistreatmenthishealthhasseriouslydeteriorated.Healthconcerns:Qireportedlysuffersfromanumberofailmentsresultingfromforcedlabourandpoortreatmentinprison,includingpneumoconiosis,alunginfectioncausedbyinhalingcoaldust.Healsoclaimstohavesufferedpermanentinjuriestohisleftthumb,kneesandwaist,andhasdifficultieswalking.Hehasalsobeendeniedaccesstohisfamily,leadingtoheightenedconcernsforhiswell-being.Background:QiChonghuaiworkedasajournalistfor13yearsbeforehisarrest.Between2004and2006,heworkedforvariouspublications,includingtheShangdongZhoukan(ShandonWeekly),theRenminGong’anBao(People’sPublicSecurityNews),andtheZhongguoAnquanShengchanBao.InJune2006,hestartedworkasdirectorofthenewspaperFazhiZaobao(LegalSystemMorningNews),whichceasedpublishinginDecember2006andwasreformedwithitsexistingstaffastheFazhiRibao(WeekendeditionoftheLegalSystemDaily).HehasalsoworkedasspecialcorrespondentwiththeFazhiZhoubao(LegalityWeekly)andtheJizheGuancha(JournalistObserver),andisknownforhisreportingoncorruptionandsocialinjusticeinShangdongprovince.Heissaidtohavebeenrepeatedlywarnedbytheauthoritiestoceasesuchreportingpriortohisarrest.Awards:Recipientofthe2012Hellman/Hammettaward.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre.

*WANGJing:(f)Profession:citizenjournalistfor64TianwangwebsiteSentence:Fouryearsand10monthsinprisonDateofarrest:10December2014Detailsofarrest:Wangwasreportedlyarrestedasshetookphotographsofprotestersoutsidetheheadquartersofthestate-runtelevisionagency,ChinaCentralTelevision(CCTV).Currentplaceofdetention: JilinCitydetentioncentre,JilinProvinceDetailsoftrial:Wangwasreportedlyconvictedof‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtrouble’bytheChuanyingDistrictPeople’sCourtinconnectionwithherwritingon20April2016.Accordingtotheindictment,Wang’sreportinghad‘causedtroubleincyberspace,attractingtheattentionofotherInternetusersandincitingthemtoanangrymood,andcausingseriousdisruptiontopublicorder.’Initsverdict,thecourtreportedlycitedarticlesWangwroteaboutprotestsandreportsofChinesepoliceharassing,detaining,andbeatingprotestors.Wangdeniedthechargesandsaidshewouldappeal.AtaprevioushearinginJuly2015,acourthadfoundthattherewasinsufficientevidencetoconvicther,butthepublicprosecutorreturnedthecasetopoliceforfurtherinvestigation,afterwhichfreshchargeswerebrought.Conditionsofdetention:WangwasreportedlybeatenindetentionHealthconcerns:Wangisreportedlyinill-healthandsuffersfromabraintumour.Background:Wanghadpreviouslybeendetainedon7March2014onsuspicionof‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtrouble’,aftershepublishedreportsontheactionsofpetitionersinTiananmenSquareon5Marchduringtheannual

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sessionoftheNationalPeople’sCongressduringwhichawomantriedtosetherselfonfire.ShewasheldinJilinCityDetentionCentreuntil7April2014,whenshewasreleasedonbail.

XUZhiyong:Profession:bloggerandessayist,andleaderoftheNewCitizens’Movement–agrassrootsnetworkofactivistsinChinaDateofbirth:3March1973Sentence:fouryears’imprisonmentExpires:15July2017Dateofarrest:16July2013,afterspendinganumberofmonthsunderhousearrestDetailsofarrest:Chargedwith‘gatheringcrowdstodisruptpublicorder’,inconnectionwithaseriesofpeacefuldemonstrationsheldbytheNewCitizens’Movement.Currentplaceofdetention:No.3DetentionCentreofBeijingCityDetailsoftrial:Afterafour-daytrial,Xuwasreportedlysentencedon26January2014tofouryears’imprisonmentafterconvictionof‘gatheringcrowdstodisruptpublicorder’.On11April2014,acourtrejectedXu’sappealandupheldhissentence.Otherinformation:Xuisknownforcampaigningagainstofficialcorruptionandinsupportofchildren’srights.PENbelieveshehasbeentargetedbecauseofhisgrowingpresenceonChinesesocialmediaplatforms.Duringhistrial,foreignreportersoutsidethecourtroomwerereportedlypreventedfromcoveringthetrial.Award:RecipientofICPC’s2013LinZhaoMemorialaward,andtheNED2014Democracyaward.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

YANGMaodong(akaGuoFeixiong):Profession:dissidentwriter,independentpublisherandcivilrightsactivistDateofbirth:2August1966Sentence:sixyearsinprisonExpires:August2019Dateofarrest:8August2013Detailsofarrest:Hisarrestfollowedhisinvolvementinanti-censorshipandanti-corruptionprotestsandhewasheldwithoutchargeformorethanfourmonthsandwasnotpermittedaccesstohislawyeruntil14November2013.Accordingtohislawyer,Yangwasdeniedbailduetoaccusationsthathehaddestroyedevidenceandinterferedwithwitnesses–asuppositionwhichhislawyerdenies.Currentplaceofdetention:TianheDetentionCenter,GuangdongProvince.Detailsoftrial:On31December2013,itwasreportedthatYanghadbeenformallychargedwith‘incitementtodisturbpublicorder’.On7February2014,theTianhedistrictprocuratoratereportedlysentYang’scasefilebacktothepolice,requestingmoreevidence,inwhathislawyerssuggestisastallingtactic.ThestateprocuratorateisboundunderChineselawtoreturnadecisiononcasestransferredfrompoliceinvestigationswithinsixweeksofreceivingthem.Histrialon28November2014reportedlylastednearly18hoursduringwhichthedefendantsweredeniedfood,andendedwithoutverdictsforthedefendants.On27November2015,YangwassentencedtosixyearsinprisonbytheGuangzhouMunicipalTianheDistrictPeople’sCourtonchargesof‘gatheringcrowdstodisruptorderinpublicplaces’and‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtroubles’.On4December2015,YangmadeanappealtotheGuangzhouMunicipalTianheDistrictPeople’sCourtchallengingthevalidityoftherulingandrequestedare-trial.Amongtheargumentsmadeare:theextractionofwitnesstestimonyundertortureandbeating,andfailingtoprovethathedisruptedorderinpublicspacesonthedateofhisprotestactivitiesinJanuary2013.Update:On16January2016,reportsindicatedthatYang’sappealwasrejectedandhisconvictionandsix-yearsentenceupheld.Yangisreportedtohaverefusedtosignanewappealafterprisonauthoritiesrequestedthathedeletepartofhisstatement.Conditionsofdetention:Yangisreportedlydeniedanyoutdoorbreakandkeptinacellwithmorethan30otherinmates.InJune2015YangreportedlyfiledacomplaintagainsttheTianheDetentionCenterinGuangzhou,whereheisdetained,forsubjectingdetaineestodailystripsearches.Hepreviouslydemandedstatecompensationfortheill-treatmenthereceivedfrombailiffsoftheGuangzhouMunicipalTianheDistrictPeople’sCourtwhentheyescortedhimtoapre-trialhearingandtwocourthearings.Guostatedthatduringthosewalks,hisheadwascoveredinablackhood,hiswristswerehandcuffedbehindhisback,andhisfeetwereshackled.Hestatedthathesustainedvariousinjuriesfromthetighthandcuffingandfootshackling.Yangreportedlybeganahungerstrikeon2May2016inprotestatbeingsubmittedtoaforcedrectalcavitysearchattheinstigationofstatesecuritypolice,aswellasforcedheadshavingandverbalabusefromprisonguards.HisfamilyarereportedtobeseekingYang’stransfertoadifferentfacility.Healthconcerns:ThereareconcernsforYang’s

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healthashishungerstrikehasledtogastrointestinalcomplications,accordingtonewsreports.Background:Yangwasreleasedon13September2011,oncompletionofafive-yearprisonsentencefor‘illegalbusinessactivity’,althoughitisbelievedthathewastargetedforhiscriticalwritingsandcivilrightsactivism.Hereportedthathewastorturedorotherwiseill-treatedduringthatdetention.HewasamaincaseofPENInternationalduringhisimprisonment.Awards:2015FrontLineDefendersAwardforHumanRightsDefendersatRiskHonorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

YANGTongyan(alsoknownasYangTianshui):Profession:dissidentwriterandmemberofIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC)DateofBirth:12April1961Sentence:12yearsinprisonandfouryears’deprivationofpoliticalrightsExpires:2017Dateofarrest:23December2005Detailsofarrest:Reportedlydetainedwithoutawarranton23December2005inNanjing.YangwasheldincommunicadoatDantuDetentionCentreinZhenjiang,JiangsuProvince,withoutaccesstohisfamilyuntilhistrial.Currentplaceofdetention:NanjingPrison,NingshuangRoad9,Box1215-12,NanjingCity,JiangsuProvince.Detailsoftrial:Convictedof‘subversion’forpostinganti-governmentarticlesontheInternet,organisingbranchesofthe(outlawed)ChinaDemocracyParty,participatinginChina’sVelvetActionMovementandbeingelectedasamemberofits‘InterimGovernmentofDemocraticChina,’andacceptingillegalfundsfromoverseastotransfertojailedpoliticaldissidentsandtheirfamilies.SentencedbytheZhenjiangintermediatecourtineasternChina'sJiangsuprovinceatathree-hourtrialon16May2006.Healthconcerns:Yangsuffersfromanumberofillnessesincludingintestinaltuberculosis,diabetes,kidneyinflammationandhighbloodpressure.Hewashospitalisedforatleast50daysinearly2010withafeverandhisappealformedicalparolewasrejectedin2010.AmnestyInternationalreportedthatrelativeswhovisitedYanginprisoninSeptember2013saidthatwhilehecontinuedtosufferfromchronicdiseases,hishealthhadseemedtobeimproving.Background:YangTongyanisknownforhiscriticalwritingspublishedondissidentnewswebsitessuchasBoxun.comandEpochTimes.Hespentadecadeinprisonfrom1990to2000on‘counter-revolution’chargesforhisinvolvementinthe1989pro-democracyprotests.Hewasalsopreviouslyheldincommunicadofrom24December2004-25January2005.Awards:RecipientofIndependentChinesePENCentre’s2006WriterinPrisonAward,andthe2008PEN/BarbaraGoldsmithFreedomtoWriteAward.HonoraryMember:PENCanada,ItalianPEN,andPENAmericanCenter.

YAOWentian(alsoknownasYiyMantin):Profession:publisherandformerchiefeditoroftheHongKong-basedMorningBellPressDateofbirth:11July1941Sentence:10years’imprisonmentExpires:2023Dateofarrest:27October2013Detailsofarrest:Yaowasreportedlyarrestedatafriend’shouseinShenzhenwhilsthewasdeliveringindustrialpaint.Initiallyaccusedof‘carryingprohibiteditems’hewaslaterchargedwiththemoreseriousoffenceof‘smugglingordinaryitems’for70allegeddeliveriesofpaintsince2010.Whilethepaintitselfislegal,thereisanimportdutyrequiredforindustrialusageofwhichYaowasreportedlyunaware.Friendsandassociatesbelievehewassetup.Currentplaceofdetention:DongguanPrison,523299Dongguan,GuangdongProvince.Detailsoftrial:Yaowasconvictedof‘smugglingprohibiteditems’on7May2014andsentencedto10yearsinprisonbytheShenzhenIntermediatePeople’sCourt.On18July2014,hisappealwasrejected.Healthconcerns:Yaosuffersfromasthmaandaheartcomplaint.Applicationsformedicalparolewererejected.AccordingtotheInternationalPublishersAssociation,Yaohasrepeatedlyfaintedduringhistimeincustodyduetohisheartdisease.Background:AccordingtoYao’sson,YaohadpreviouslybeenharassedforhiscollaborationwithdissidentwriterYuJieandhispublicationofHuJintao:HarmonyKing,acritiqueoftheformerpresident’sconceptof‘harmonioussociety’.HereportedthathisGmailaccountwashackedwhilehewaspreparingtoprintthebook.Since2007,Yaohasworkedcloselywithdissidentwriters,includingmanymembersoftheIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC),topublishbookswhichhavebeenbannedinmainlandChina.HispublicationsincludeanICPCMembershipLiteratureSeries,ofwhichmorethanadozenvolumeshavebeenpublished.Moreofhispublicationscanbefoundathttp://morningbellpress.blogspot.se/.Hiscurrentarrestisthoughttobe

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connectedtohislatestcollaborationwithYuJie,ashewaspreparingtopublishthebookChineseGodfatherXiJinping.HonoraryMember:IndependentChinesePENandDanishPENCentres.PENAction:RAN02/14andupdates

ZHUYufu:Profession:dissidentpoetandmemberofIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).DateofBirth:13April1953Sentence:Sevenyearsinprisonandthreeyears’deprivationofpoliticalrights.Expiry:2018Dateofarrest:5March2011Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedon5March2011andchargedon10April2011bythePublicSecurityBureauofHangzhouCity,ZhejiangProvince,onsuspicionof‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’forhiscriticalwritings,inparticularhispoem‘It’stime’.Thepoemappearstohavedrawntheauthorities’attentionforitstimingaroundtheJasmineRevolutioncontroversy.Currentplaceofdetention:ZhejiangProvincialNo.4Prison,P.O.Box50,HangzhouCity311100,ZhejiangProvince,P.R.ChinaDetailsoftrial:On10February2012,acourtinHangzhousentencedZhutosevenyearsinprisonfor‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’.Zhu’swifeandsonwerepresentatthehearing.Update:Hisappealwasreportedlyrejectedon7May2012.Conditionsindetention:Deniedaccesstobooksandlettersfromhisfamily.Healthconcerns:ReportedinNovember2012tobeinverypoorhealthandtobedeniedadequatehealthcare,foodandmedication.InOctober2013,prisonauthoritiesrefusedtoallowaUSdoctortovisithim.Accordingtoreports,hisfamilyhasrepeatedlyrequestedmedicalparolesincehisarrestwithoutsuccess.Background:ZhuYufu,previouslyspentsevenyearsinprisonforsubversionafterbeingconvictedin1999forhelpingtofoundthebannedoppositiongroup,theChinaDemocracyParty.In2007,ayearafterhisrelease,hewasdetainedandsentencedtoafurthertwoyearsinprisonafterallegedlypushingapoliceofficerwhilebeingarrested.Awards:Recipientofthe2011Hellman/Hammettaward.PENAction:RAN05–25January2012;Update#1–14February2012;appealbyEnglishPENFebruary2016

Detained–maincase

HUUCHINHUUGovruud(akaGaoYulian)(f):Profession:SouthernMongoliandissidentwriterandactivistwhoisamemberofthebannedSouthernMongoliaDemocraticAlliance.SheissaidtohaveauthoredseveralbooksandalargenumberofessaysontheethnicproblemsinSouthernMongolia.Twoofherworks,SilentStoneandStone-heartedTree,havebeenbannedinChina.Dateofbirth:1955Dateofarrest:earlyNovember2010Detailsofarrest:ShewasarrestedforherinternetactivismonbehalfoftheMongolpeopleandplacedunderhousearrest,apparentlyforcampaigningdemandingthereleaseofHada,aprominentpoliticalprisoner(seepreviousCaseLists);herphoneandInternetlineswerecutoffandshehadabout20policemenguardinghereveryday.Amonthlater,shewastransferredtohospitalduetoaserioushealthcondition.Shewentreportedlymissingwhilstunderpoliceguardinhospitalon27January2011andappearstohavebeensubjectedtoanenforceddisappearanceforseveralmonths.Sheappearstohavebeenplacedunderhousearrestinoneofherrelatives’residenciesinSouthernMongolia’sTongliaoMunicipality.InJanuary2015,shecalledforherreleasefromhousearrestandsaidthattheauthoritieshadfrozenherbankaccountsaftershereceivedmoneyfromhersonabroadonsuspicionthatthemoneywasdestinedforHada.Currentplaceofdetention:Placedunderhousearrestinoneofherrelatives’residenciesinSouthernMongolia’sTongliaoMunicipality.Detailsoftrial:On28November2012,HuuchinhuuwasreportedlytriedinsecretandfoundguiltybytheTongliaoMunicipalityPeople’sCourtof‘providingstatesecretstoaforeignorganisation’and‘leakingstatesecrets’forcirculatingsomepubliclyavailableinformationthroughtheInternet.Conditionsofdetention:InSeptember2011,theSouthernMongolianHumanRightsInformationCentre(SMHRIC)reportshavingreceivedphotosdatedJuly2011inwhichHuuchinhuuappearedtohavebeenseverelybeaten.Healthconcerns:AccordingtotheSMHRICHuuchinhuuiscurrentlysufferingfromalossofeyesightandchronicdiseases.Awards:Recipientofthe2012Hellman/Hammettaward.

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LIUXia(f):Profession:poetandartist,foundingmemberoftheIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).Dateofbirth:1April1959Dateofarrest:October2010Detailsofarrest:LiuhasbeenheldunderunofficialhousearrestinherBeijingapartmentsinceOctober2010.Liu’shousearrestisthoughttobeaformofpunishmentforthehumanrightsworkcarriedoutbyherhusband,imprisonedpoetandNobelLaureateLiuXiaobo(see‘Imprisoned:maincases’above).LiuwasreportedlypermittedtovisitherhusbandinJinzhouPrisonduringthe2014ChineseNewYearperiod.Healthconcerns:Liuissaidtobesufferingfromseveredepression.Liuisnotallowedtoseethedoctorofherchoiceandhasrefusedapolice-appointeddoctorasshefearsbeinginternedinapsychiatrichospital.Accordingtoreports,LiuwasbrieflyhospitalisedforaheartattackinJanuary2014andwaslaterturnedawayfromthehospitalaftershereturnedforascheduledobservation.LiureportedlysoughtpermissiontoleaveChinatoseekmedicalhelpabroadfollowingtheincident,however,therequestwasdenied.Shehassincebeenallowedbacktothehospital.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:On14February2014,supportersofLiuXiaandherhusbandgatheredinashoppingdistrictofHongKongtoshavetheirheads.InMarch2015,theSpecialRapporteuronTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishmentconcludedthattheChinesegovernmenthadviolatedLiuXia’srightsundertheUNConventionAgainstTorturebydenyingheraccesstomedicaltreatment.TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentioninOpinionNo.16/2011foundLiuXia’sdetentiontobearbitraryunderinternationallawandcalledonthegovernmenttoimmediatelyreleaseandadequatelycompensateher.Honorarymember:PENAmericaandICPCPENActions:MentionedinCreativityandConstraintinToday’sChina,Pressstatements22October2013,6December2013,8December2014,8December2015WorldPoetryDay2014;InternationalWomen’sDay2014,WorldPoetryDay2015,LiuXiaSolidarityCampaign,WorldPoetryDay2016

MIChongbiao:Profession:activistandmemberoftheGuizhouHumanRightsForumDateofbirth:1940Dateofarrest:September2013Detailsofarrest:MiandhiswifewerereportedlyplacedunderhousearrestattheirhomeinGuiyangcityafterMiwroteaboutacomplainthemadetotheUnitedNations.Hispostentitled,‘filingacomplainttotheU.N.HumanRightsCouncilforthesecondtime,’whichcalledforgreaterdemocracyandprotectionofhumanrightswaspublishedon15June2013.MiandhiswifeLiKezhenreportedlyhadnocontactwithfriendsorfamilyuntilJanuary2014,duringwhichtimetheywereheldinconditionsamountingtoenforceddisappearance.Miwasreportedlyplacedundersurveillancebeforehisarrest.Currentplaceofdetention:AccordingtoFrontLineDefenders,MiChongbiaoandLiKezhenarecurrentlybeingheldinanundisclosedlocationinGuiyangcitybymembersoftheGuiyangcitypoliceforce,thePublicSecurityBureauandhiredsecurityguards.Theyareregularlymovedtodifferentlocationstoensurethattheirwhereaboutsremainsunknown.Thecouplearereportedlykeptunderwatchbythreeteamsoftenguards,whoworkeighthourshifts.Conditionsofdetention:Theirtwosonsarepermittedtoseethemonceeverytwoweeks,wheretheyarebroughttomeetthem,undersurveillance,forthreehoursatarestaurantdesignatedbypolice.Thesonshaveobtainedinformationfromthesemeetingsabouttheirconditionsunderhousearrest,particularlyaboutallegedtortureandotherformsofmistreatmentagainstMi.InlateApril2015,Mi’seldersonandhislawyer,SuiMuqing,visitedthecoupleandfoundthattheirliveswereunderincreasedthreatsofviolence,andthatguardsroutinelyandarbitrarilybeatthecouple,accordingtoreportsbyChineseHumanRightsDefenders.[StopPress:AccordingtoFrontLineDefenders,MiandhiswifewerebothphysicallyassaultedbyguardsfromtheNationalSecurityBureauinGuiyangon23July2016afterMi’swifetriedtogettheattentionofparticipantsintheGuizhouInternationalMarathonwhichpassedclosetothelocationoftheirdetention.]Healthconcerns:InFebruary2014,itwasreportedthatMihadbeenspottedinhospitalbyafellowactivist.HeisthoughttohavebeenvisitinghiswifeinhospitalaftershefellillinJanuary2014.BothMiandhiswifewerereportedlydeniedmedicaltreatmentaftersufferinginjuriesduringthebeatinginJuly2016.

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WANGJiamin,GUOZhongxiaoandLIUHaitao:Profession:journalists,publisher(Wang)andeditors(GuoandLiu)fortheHongKong-basedChinese-languagemagazinesNew-WayMonthlyandMultipleFaceDateofbirth:1953,1975and1982respectively.Dateofarrest:WangandGuowerearrestedon30May2014,andLiuon17June2014.Detailsofarrest:WangandGuowerereportedlydetainedbypoliceinthesoutherncityofShenzhenwheretheywereresiding,for‘operatinganillegalpublication’.LiuwasalsoarrestedathishomeinHenanprovincebythepolicefromShenzhen18dayslater,aswellasWang’swifeandfather-in-lawinShenzhen,bothofwhomwerelaterreleasedonbail.Currentplaceofdetention:DetentionCentreofShenzhenCity,GuangdongProvinceDetailsoftrial:On5November2015,thethreemenreportedlypleadedguiltytorunninganillegalbusinessinShenzen.ThoughthepublicationsarepublishedinHongKong,wheretheyarelegal,copiesaresenttoeightpeopleinthemainland,wherethepublicationsarenotregistered,asarguedbytheprosecutors.However,themainlandaudienceaccountedfor66,000yuan(HK$80,600)oftotalrevenue,lessthanhalfthe150,000yuanminimumneededtoraisetheoffencetothelevelofrunninganillegalbusiness.Wang,GuoandLiuwerestillawaitingsentencingattheendof2015.Background:BothGuoandWangarereportedlyconsideredpoliticallywell-connectedjournalists,whohadworkedforHongKongbasedYazhouZhoukan(AsiaWeekly)beforetheystartedtheirownmagazines,whichfrequentlyreportinsiderinformationandspeculationonpoliticalaffairsinChina.TheyemployedLiuasaneditorwhoworkedathomeinHenanProvince,printedtheirmagazinesinHongKongandpartiallydistributedthecopiesinmainlandChina.MembersoftheHongKongJournalistsAssociationhavereportedlyattributedtheirarreststopartofawiderattempttosuppressthepublishingindustryinHongKong.AlsoinMay2014,HongKongpublisherYaoWentianwassentencedtoa10-yearprisontermfor‘smugglingordinarygoods’toShenzhen(see‘Imprisoned:maincase’).Honorarymembersof:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).[Stoppress:Wang,GuoandLiuwerereportedlysentencedon26July2016.Wangwassentencedtofiveyearsandthreemonths,whileGuoandLiuweresentencedtwoyearsandthreemonthsinprison.Liu’ssentencewasreportedlysuspendedforthreeyearsandhewasreleased.WangandGuoremaininprison.]

*WANGYu(f):Profession:HumanRightsLawyerandonlineactivistDateofarrest:9July2015Detailsofarrest:Wangreportedlywasamongcome300humanrightslawyersarrestedaspartofanongoingcrackdownonhumanrightslawyers,whichbeganinJuly2015.WangwasformallyarrestedinJanuary2016;Wangwasreportedlyaccusedofsubversionofstatepower.Background:Wangisanoutspokenadvocate,whorepresentedUyghurscholar,IlhamTohti(see‘Imprisoned:maincase’inXUARbelow).Awards:2016LudovicTrarieuxInternationalHumanRightsPrize;2016AmericanBarAssociationInternationalHumanRightsAward[Stoppress:On1August2016,Wangreportedlyappearedinatelevised‘confession’,whichappearedonthewebsiteofaHongKongnewssiteknownasOrientalPress,inadditiontoseveralparty-controlledoutlets.Inher‘confession’–widelybelievedtobeachievedthroughcoercion–Wangreportedlycriticisedherformeremployerandapologisedformaking‘improper’remarkstoforeignjournalists,aswellasforwriting‘inappropriate’thingsonline.Shealsosaidshewasrefusingtoacceptthe‘award’.Reportsindicatethatshewassubsequentlyreleasedonbail.However,herreleasecouldnotbeconfirmedbyherlawyers.]

Detained:investigation*CHENQitang:(pseudonym:TianLi)Profession:activistDateofarrest:October2014Detailsofarrest:TheauthoritiesreportedlyinitiallyheldChenonanadministrativedetentionorderinconnectionwithanessayhepostedonline.HewascriminallydetainedamonthlaterowingtohisconnectionstoSuChanglan(seebelow).Hewasnotpermittedtomeethislawyeruntil10June2015Currentplaceofdetention:NanhaiDistrictDetentionCentre,FoshanCity,GuangdongProvince.Detailsoftrial:InApril2016,ChenreportedlywentontrialbeforetheFoshanIntermediatePeople’sCourtaccusedof‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’inconnectionwithpoliticalessaysthathepostedonline.Chenpleadednotguiltytothe

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charges.Thehearinglastedtwo-and-a-halfhours;averdictinthecasewasnotdelivered.Ifconvictedhecouldfaceuptofiveyearsinprisoniftheoffenceisconsideredminor,however,thepenaltycouldbehigherifheisconsideredaringleader.Background:Chen,aformereditoroftwoonlinepublications,hasalreadyservedatwo-and-a-half-yearprisontermfor‘fraud’afterhehelpedlocalfarmersinFoshandefendtheirlandrights.

*LIXin:Profession:formerjournalistwithSouthernMetropolisDailynewspaperDateofarrest:January2016Detailsofarrest:LiisreportedtobeassistingtheChinesepolicewithaninvestigation.Hisprecisewhereaboutsareunknown,althoughheisthoughttobebeingheldinHenanprovince.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,LifledChinainJuly2015,initiallytravellingtoIndiabeforeheadingtoLaosviaThailand.HewaslastheardfrominThailandon11January2016.Hiswhereaboutswereunknownuntil2February2016,whenhiswifereceivedatelephonecallfromChengguanTownPoliceStation,LiXin’shometowninHenanprovince,andwastoldshewouldreceiveacallfromhimthefollowingday.LiXinreportedlycalledon3Februaryandtoldherto‘leadastablelife’and‘nottocommunicatewithpeopleoutside’,andthathe‘wouldtryhisbesttoreturnassoonaspossible’.Hedidnotsaywherehewas.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,LifledChinainJuly2015,asChinesestatesecurityofficialshadputhimunderintensepressuretoactasaninformantagainsthiscolleaguesandfriends,andthreatenedtoimprisonhimifhedidnotdoso.Afterinitiallycooperating,LiXinrefusedtocontinue,whichhebelievedputhimandhisfamilyatrisk,sohedecidedtoleaveChina.

*LIUShaoming:Profession:activistandjournalistDateofarrest:30May2015Detailsofarrest:PolicereportedlyinitiallydetainedLiuinMay2015onsuspicionof‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtroubles,’butlaterformallyarrestedhimonamoreseriouschargeof‘incitingsubversion’on4July2015.Detailsoftrial:On15April2016,Liureportedlystoodtrialbehindcloseddoorsfor‘incitingsubversiontostatepower.’Atthetrial,prosecutorscitedarticlesandessayshewroteanddisseminatedonsocialmediaoutlets(WeChat,QQ,andTelegram).Placeofdetention:GuangzhouNo.1DetentionCentreConditionsindetention:TheauthoritiesarereportedtohavedeniedLiuaccesstohislawyersonthegroundsthattheymayharmnationalsecurity.HisfirstvisitbylegalcounselwasallowedinNovember2015.Honorarymember:ICPC

*OUYANGHongliang:Profession:editor-in-chiefoftheWatchingNewswebsiteDateofarrest:March2016Detailsofarrest:Ouyanghasreportedlybeenheldincommunicado,alongwithseveralothersworkingfortheWatchingNewswebsite,afterbeingcalledinforquestioning.Background:On4March2016,WatchingNewspublishedanopenlettercallingforPresidentXiJinpingtoresign.Severalothershavebeendetainedinconnectionwiththeletter,includingthesuspectedauthorJiaJia(see‘Briefdetention’).

*SAMDRUP*NAMGYALLhadon(f)*RONGSHER:Dateofarrest:30March2016Detailsofarrest:AuthoritiesinChina’snorth-westernQinghaiprovincedetainedthethreeinChugoDesarvillage,inMatoe(Meduo,inChinese)countyinGolog(Guoluo)TibetanAutonomousPrefecture.Theyarethoughttobebeingdetainedfortakingpartinagroupchatonsocialmediaregardingthe2016electionoftheCentralTibetanAdministration,seenasthelegitimategovernmentbyTibetans.

SUChanglan(f):Profession:activistandbloggerDateofbirth:18July1971Dateofarrest:27October2014Detailsofarrest:ArrestedwhileatherhomebyofficersfromtheNanhaiBranchofFoshanPublicSecurity

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Bureau,forpostingonlinecommentinsupportofthepro-democracyprotestinHongKong.Shewasinitiallyheldonsuspicionof‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’,andformallyarrestedbypoliceinthesouthernprovinceofGuangdongon3December2014.LocalauthoritiesreportedlyheldSuincommunicadoforoversixmonthsuntilshewasfinallyallowedtomeetherlawyerinMay2015.AftermonthsoffailedrequeststoseeSu,herhusbandandbrotherbegantoprotestinFebruary2015infrontofapolicestation,accordingtoChineseHumanRightsDefenders.Bothofthemwerelatercriminallydetainedfornearlyonemonth.Herlawyerhasmaderequestsforthedisclosureofdetailsabouthercase,butthesehavebeenrefused.Currentplaceofdetention:NanhaiDistrictDetentionCenter,FoshanCity,GuangdongProvince.Detailsoftrial:Accordingtoreports,Sumetwithherlawyeron20November2015,whofoundoutthatshehadbeenformallyinterrogatedforthefirsttimeon21October,andindictedon13November2015.Update:On21April2016Su’strialisreportedtohavecommencedon21April2016attheIntermediatePeople'sCourtinherhometownofFoshan.Shepleadednotguiltytochargesof‘incitingsubversionofstatepower.’FiveactivistsshowingtheirsupportforSuweredetainedoutsidethecourthouse.Conditionsofdetention:Accordingtoherlawyer,shehasonlybeenallowedtoshowerincoldwater,eveninwinter.Healthconcerns:Sureportedlysuffersfromhyperthyroidheartdisease,whichcanbefatalifnotproperlytreated,butauthoritiesdeniedrequestsforbailonmedicalgrounds.Suhadbeenhospitalisedin2014priortoherdetentionandrequiredmedicalcare.Aftermeetingheron20November2015,herlawyersaidthat‘shewasinterribleshape’,sheisreceivingnotreatmentforherillnesses,andnowherthroatischronicallyswollenandcoughsregularly.Whenthedetentioncentreconductedaphysicalinspectiononher,theyfoundthatshesufferedanarrhythmicheartbeatandanti-clockwiserotationoftheheart.Background:IthasbeenreportedthatthisisthethirdtimethatSuhasbeenarrestedandquestionedbytheauthorities.Theothertwooccasionswere12Septemberand5October2014.Suwasaprimaryschoolteacherwholostherjoballegedlyforcampaigningforlandrights.HonoraryMemberof:IndependentChinesePEN(ICPC),SwedishPEN.

*WEIManyi:(Penname:ShuiMuran)Profession:bloggerDateofarrest:17May2016detailsofarrest:WeiwasreportedlysummonedbypoliceinHangzhou,Zhejiangprovince,inordertoassistwithinvestigations.Thepolicereportedlysearchedhishomeandcopiedinformationfromhiscomputer.ThefollowingdayWei’sbrotherwasservedwithanoticethatWeiwasbeingdetainedonsuspicionof‘pickingquarrelsandprovokingtrouble.’Hecouldfaceuptofiveyearsinprison.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Wei’sarrestisthoughttobeinconnectionwithanarticlehepublishedonsocialmediaserviceWeChaton3May2016inwhichheallegedlinksbetweencorruptbusinessmenandBuddhisttemples.Morethan100,000peoplesawthearticlebeforeWeideleteditandissuedanapologyonsocialmediaaccounts.Thedayafteritspublication,theBuddhistAssociationofChinareportedlypublishedarticlesonitswebsiteaccusingWeiofsmearingBuddhistsanddamagingthereputationofBuddhisminChina.

*ZHANGYongsheng:Profession:reporterforthestate-ownedLanzhouMorningHeraldDateofarrest:7January2016Detailsofarrest:Zhangwasreportedlyarrestedon7January2016,accusedofextortion.AccordingtoanannouncementpublishedonthewebsiteoftheLiangzhoudistrictgovernmentofWuweiMunicipality,Zhanghad‘usedhispositionasajournalistandinthenameofpublicopinionsupervision,torepeatedlyextortmoneyandgoodsfromothers.’Conditionsofdetention:Accordingtoreports,Zhang’slawyersfiledacomplaintwiththeprosecutor’sofficeon20Januaryafterthepolicerepeatedlydeniedthemaccess.Zhangdeniedthechargeswhenhewasfinallyallowedtomeetwithhislawyerson22January.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Zhanghasrepeatedlybeenthreatenedforhiscriticalreporting,accordingtoreports.

Ontrial

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HEZhengjun,profession:writerandAdministrativeDirectoroftheTransitionInstituteGUOYushan,profession:writerandformerPresidentoftheTransitioninstituteHUANGKaiping,profession:writerandPresidentoftheTransitionInstituteDateofbirth:Hewasbornon26January1982,Guoon2August1977andHuangon29September1982.Dateofarrest:Hewasarrestedon26November2014.Guoon9andHuangon10October2014.Dateofrelease:Huangwasreportedlyreleasedon28January2015,HeandGuowerereleasedonbailon14September2015Detailsofarrest:WritersGuoYushanandHuangKaiping,theTransitionInstitute’sfounderandPresident,respectively,werearrestedonchargesofcreatingdisturbancesforpublicallysupportingtheprotestsinHongKong.Thechargeofcreatingdisorderiscommonlyusedtosilencedissent.Detailsoftrial:HeandGuo’slawyerswerebarredfromseeingthemforanextendedperiodoftime.LawyerXiaLinisreportedlyincustody,underthechargesof‘fraud,’afterfailedattemptstovisitGuo.HeZhengjun’slawyerwasfinallyabletoseehisclientafterfilingacomplaintagainsttheBeijingPublicSecurityBureau(PSB),accordingtonewsreports.TheprocuratoratereturnedthecasetotheBeijingPSBinMay2015forfurtherinvestigation,furtherdelayingthepair’srelease.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:TheTransitionInstituteisarenownedcivilsocietyindependentthinktankwhichhasnowbeenshutdownbytheBeijingauthorities.TheTransitionInstitute,foundedin2007,hascarriedoutinvestigationsinthefieldsoffiscalreform,localelections,legalreforms,businessregulations,citizenparticipationandeducationrights.On9October2014,theTransitionInstitute’sofficewasraidedandallelectronicequipmentincludingcomputersandharddriveswereconfiscated.Honorarymembers:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).PENAction:Pressstatement9December2014;RAN17/14andupdates

Briefdetention

*JIAJia:Profession:freelancejournalist,columnistattheTencentOnlinewebsiteandeditorofInitiumMediawebsiteDateofarrest:15March2016Dateofrelease:25March2016Detailsofarrest:JiaisreportedtohavedisappearedwhiletravellingfromhishomeinBeijingtoHongKong,wherehewasscheduledtogiveatalkattheCityuniversityofHongKong.FriendswaitingtomeethimatHongKongInternationalAirportsaythatheneverarrived.ThepublicsecuritybureauoftheBeijingCapitalInternationalAirport,wherehewaslastknowntobe,reportedlydeniedhavinganyinformationabouthiswhereabouts.Placeofdetention:Accordingto21Marchreports,Jia’slawyerconfirmedthathewasbeingheldbyBeijingpolice,buthispreciselocationwasunknown.Background:Shortlybeforehisdisappearance,Jiaisreportedtohavetoldfriendsthathebelievedthatthepoliceweresearchingforhiminrelationtoa4MarchopenletterpublishedonWujieNews(WatchingNews)websiteandoverseasChinese-languagewebsiteCanyu,whichcalledfortheresignationofPresidentXiJinping.TheletterisreportedtohavecriticisedXiforabandoningcollectiveleadershipandconcentratingpowerinhisownhands.Jiaisreportedtohavetoldfriendsthathehadnothingtodowiththeletter.

*TIANYou:Profession:writerDateofarrest:8April2016Detailsofarrest:TianwasreportedlyheldatShenzhenLonggangdistrictpolicedepartmentonafive-dayadministrativedetentionorderinconnectionwithhiswriting.Hewasreportedlypreventedfromseeinghislawyerduringhisdetention.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,TianwasaccusedofwritinganunfavourablecomparisonofthePresident’swifewithaZhoudynastyempress.TianisreportedlytheauthorofseveralnovelsincludingUnderground,Overground:MenCompeteforPower,SexandMoney,TheUnfortunateMan,andTheRules.

*TseringWOESER(f),profession:TibetanpoetandauthorWANGLixiong,profession:dissidentwriter

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Dateofdetention:25April2016Dateofrelease:29April2016Detailsofdetention:WoeserandWang–husbandandwife–werereportedlyplacedunderhousearrestduringavisittoBeijingbyanNGOfromtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.,theAmericanHimalayanFoundation.Background:WangLixiongwasreportedlybarredfromtravelingtoJapanon16December2015,apparentlyduetoconcernsthathisvisitwould‘damagenationalsecurity.’TheJapanesetranslationofhis1991novel‘YellowPeril’aboutanapocalypticcivilwarinChinawentonsaleinJapaninNovember2015.WangisknownforhiscriticalviewsoftheChineseauthorities’treatmentofminorities.Arrestedin1999,hespent42daysinprison,andhasbeenplacedunderhousearrestseveraltimes,includinginJuly2014withhiswife,TibetanwriterTseringWoeser,duringtheUSSecretaryofStateJohnKerry’svisittoChina.TseringWoeserhasusedherblog‘InvisibleTibet’,togetherwithpoetry,researchandsocialmediaplatformstogivevoicetoethnicTibetans.PENAction:RAN15/15

Harassed

*FANYanqiong(f):Profession:writerandhumanrightsactivist,memberofIndependentChinesePENCentreDateofharassment:6and7May2016Detailsofharassment:FanwasreportedlydetainedformorethananhourbypassportcontrolofficialsattheGuangzhouRailwayStation.FanhadsoughttotravelbytraintoHongKongviaGuangzhourailwaystation,inordertomakeherwayonwardtoattendthe84thBledConference,hostedbySlovenePENCentre,wheremeetingsofPENInternational’sWritersforPeaceCommitteeandWomen’sWritersCommitteewereduetobeheld.InsteadofpermittinghertoleavemainlandChina,Fan’spassportwasconfiscatedandshewastakentoahotelinShenzhen,whereshewaskeptunderpoliceguard.FanwasdetainedforanhourthefollowingdayatabordercheckpointinShenzen.AccordingtoinformationsuppliedtoPEN,shewasinformedbythepolicethatsheisnotallowedtoleaveChinaduetonationalsecurityconcerns.Shewasreturnedtoherhomewheresheremainsunderclosesurveillance.Background:Fanbeganpublishingarticlesin1978,andwasadmittedtotheNanpingLiteratureandArtAssociationin1980.Afterhermother’shomewasforciblydemolishedin1985,shebegan25yearsofadvocacyonbehalfofpetitioners’legalrights.AstaunchcriticoftheChineseauthoritiesandacampaignerforsocialjustice,Fanhaslongbeenthesubjectofsurveillanceandtargetedharassment.In2009,shewassentencedtochargesofcriminallibelinconnectionwithanarticleshepublishedonline.ShewasgrantedmedicalparoleinAugust2010(formoreinformationseeJuly-December2010CaseList).Awards:Hellman/HammettGrant2011;24thAwardforAdvancementofDemocracy(2009),awardedbytheChineseDemocracyEducationFoundationforherworkexposingcorruption.

*GEYongxi:Profession:lawyerDateofharassment:15April2016Detailsofharassment:Gewasreportedlydetainedandquestionedforatleast10hoursbypoliceinGuandongprovince.HisdetentionfollowedhisrepostingofasatiricalimageofChina’spresident,linkinghimtothePanamaPapers.TheimageshowedthelatesupremeleaderDengXiaoping,formerPresidentJiangZeminandcurrentPresidentXiJinpingchest-deepinwaterlabelled‘thePanamaCanal’.WhiletheimagereportedlyshowsDengandJiangbeingconcernedforthedepthofthewater,Xiisshownsaying‘Neverfear,Ihaveabrother-in-law[totaketheblame].’Background:Sincetheleakingof11.5milliondocumentsheldbyPanama-basedlawfirm,MossackFonseca,knownasthe‘PanamaPapers’,theChineseauthoritiesarereportedtohavefoughttocensorthecoverageofsuchinformationbroughttolight.IncludedinthedocumentsleakedaredetailsofanoffshoreshellcompanysetupbyXi’sbrother-in-lawintheBritishVirginIslands,accordingtopressreports.

*KEUNGKwok-yuen:Profession:formerchiefexecutiveeditorofHongKong’sMingPaonewspaperDateofharassment:20April2016Detailsofharassment:KeungwasreportedlyfiredaschiefexecutiveeditorofMingPaoafterthenewspaperranafront-pagestoryinits20Aprileditionbasedonfilesleakedfromthe

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PanamaPapers.ThearticlereportedlydetailedoffshoreaccountsheldbypoliticiansandbusinessmeninHongKong.Background:JournaliststhroughoutHongKonghaveprotestedKeung’sdismissal,bypublishingblankcolumnsorbyholdingprotests.

*LIUYuxia,profession:pageeditorofGuangzhou-basedSouthernMetropolisDaily*WANGHaijun,profession:deputyeditor-in-chiefofSouthernMetropolisDailyDateofharassment:February2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,Liuwasissuedwithan‘administrativedismissal’,whileWangwassanctionedfor‘poiticalinsensitivity’,ablackmarkplacedonhisrecord.Thesanctionswereinresponsetotwoheadlinespostedonthefrontpageofthe20FebruaryShenzeneditionoftheSouthernMetropolisDaily.Background:Oneheadlinereportedlyproclaimed:‘Atthefront-lineofpropagandawork,statemediabelongstotheparty,’whilethesecond,linkedtoaseparatestoryaboutashipboardashes-scatteringceremony,madeasecond,verticalsentence,addingthewords:‘Soulreturnstothesea.’AccordingtoRadioFreeAsia,asChinesegrammardependsoncontext,thetwosentencescouldbecombinedtomean‘Ifthemediabelongstotheparty,itssoulwillbescatteredatsea.’

*RENZhiqiang:Profession:propertytycoonandmemberoftherulingChineseCommunistPartyDateofharassment:2May2016Detailsofharassment:Ren’smembershiptotherulingChineseCommunistPartywasreportedlyplacedononeyear’sprobationfollowingcommentshemadeonsocialmedia,whichweredeemedtocontravenethepartylineanditspolicies.Followingthesuspension,state-runmediabeganpublishingarticlescriticalofRen.Background:RenhadreportedlyquestionedtheuseofpublicfundsheldbythePeople’sRepublicofChinafordisseminatingtherulingparty’spoliticalpropaganda.Ren’sSinaWeibo(atwitter-likeservice)accounthad37millionfollowerspriortobeingcloseddownbyChina’sCyberspaceAdministrationinFebruary,inlinewiththerecentlypassedNationalSecurityLaw.

*WENYunchao:Profession:bloggerandfreedomofspeechadvocateDateofharassment:March2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtoreports,theUS-basedbloggerbelievesthatgovernmentofficialshavedetainedhisparentsandbrother.WenreportsthatseveralunidentifiedindividualstookhisfamilyfromtheirhomesinJiexicounty,Guandongprovince.PoliceofficershadreportedlyvisitedtheirhomesseveraltimesovertheprevioustwoweeksandquestionedthemregardingthepossibilityofWen’sinvolvementinthepublicationofanopenlettercallingfortheresignationofPrimeMinisterXiJinping.Background:Severalbloggershavebeenharassedinrelationtothepublicationofanopenletteron4MarchonWujieNews(WatchingNews)websiteandoverseaswebsiteCanyu.

*YANGJisheng:Profession:retiredjournalistandauthorDateofharassment:February2016Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,YangwasbannedfromtravellingtotheUnitedStatesofAmericatoacceptanawardforhiswork.Background:BeforehisretirementYangworkedforthestatemediaXinhuaNews.YangwasselectedforHarvardUniversity’sLouisMLyonsAwardinrecognitionforhis2008bookTombstone:theGreatChineseFamine,1958-1962,inwhichheestimatesthatthereweresome36millionfaminedeaths.

*ZHANGPing(Pen-name:ChangPing):Profession:columnistfortheChinese-languagesiteofGermaninternationalbroadcasterDeutscheWelleDateofharassment:27March2016Detailsofharassment:TheChinesepolicereportedlyarrestedthreeofZhang’ssiblingsintheirhomeinDuofu,SichuanProvince,on27March2016.Zhang’ssisterandoneofhisbrotherswerereportedlyreleasedwithin24hours.Zhang’sbrotherreportedlypassedmessagesontohim,inwhichhewasinformedthathisotherbrotherwouldbereleasedifZhangdeletedhispostsregardinghisbrother’sallegedkidnap,toconfirmthathewroteanarticleinDeutscheWelleandrequestitswithdrawal,andtostoppublishingarticlescriticalofthe

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Chineseauthorities.Accordingtoreports,thePublicSecurityDepartmentofSichuanProvincestatedthatZhang’sbrothersandfatherwereunderinvestigationonsuspicionofcausingafirebyburningincensetoveneratetheirancestors.Background:Zhang,wholivesinGermany,hadreportedlypublishedanarticleon19Marchdecryingthedisappearanceofjournalist,JiaJia(see‘Briefdetention’above).Zhanghasreportedlycomplainedthathisfamilyhavefacedharassmentasaresultofhisreportinginthepast.Forthisreason,hesuspendedcontactwiththem.Sincetheirdetention,Zhanghasreportedlyreceivedmessagesfromhissibling’semailaccountsaskinghimnottodrawattentiontotheirarrestandtoremovetheoffendingarticle.

Conditionalrelease

GAOYu(f):Profession:formerchiefeditorofEconomicsWeekly,beforebeingbarredfrompublishing,andcontributortoGermannewspaperDeutscheWelle.MemberofICPC.Dateofbirth:23April1944Sentence:FiveyearsinprisonDateofrelease:26November2015Detailsofrelease:GaoYuwasreleasedonmedicalparoleon26November2015followinganappealExpires:April2019Dateofarrest:24April2014Detailsofarrest:Gaowentmissingon23April,herwhereaboutswereunknownuntil8MaywhentheauthoritiesconfirmedthatshewasbeingdetainedbyBeijingpoliceonsuspicionof‘leakingstatesecretsabroad.’Atthetimeofherdisappearanceshewaswritingacolumntitled‘PartyNaturevs.HumanNature’,whichissaidtofocusonthenewleadershipoftheChineseCommunistPartyanditsinternalconflicts.Thearticlewasneversubmitted,andwhenGaodidnotattend,asscheduled,a26AprileventinBeijingtocommemoratethe4June1989anti-governmentprotestswhichwerebrutallysuppressed,friendsreportedherdisappearance.AccordingtoGao’slawyer,thechargesarebelievedtobebasedonadocumentknownas‘DocumentNumber9’,whichGaohadwrittenaboutinAugust2013.Thedocumentissaidtodetailthegovernment’svisionofpushingeconomicreformswhilemaintainingideologicalcontrolsconcerningissuessuchasdemocracy,civilsocietyandfreedomofpress.On8May2014Gaoappearedinatelevised‘confession’shownonChina’snationalbroadcasterCCTV.Thetrialstartedon24November2014buthadnotconcludedbytheendoftheyear.Currentplaceofdetention:No.1DetentionCentre,Beijing.Detailsoftrial:Gaowasfoundguiltyon17April2015of‘Leakingstatesecretsabroad’andwassentencedtosevenyearsinprison.Accordingtoherlawyer,MoShaoping,intheinterviewwithDeutscheWelle,thecourttookintoconsiderationGao’s‘confession’duringtheirdeliberation,incontraventionofChineselawthatdictatesthatevidenceobtainedunderduressmustbethrownoutandmustnotbeconsideredwhenpassingaverdict.Furthermore,hersentencecomesdespiteevidencesubmittedtocourtwhichassertedthatthesupposedrecipientofDocument9,HePinofMirrorPublishing,hadnotreceivedthedocumentfromGaoYu.On26November2015,theBeijinghighcourtupheldGao’sconvictionfollowingaclosedhearingonherappeal,heldon24November2015,butreducedhersentencetofiveyears.Thejudgereportedlyupheldherconvictioninlightofher‘confession’.Shewasgrantedmedicalparole.Update:GaoYuwasreportedlysentonaforced‘vacation’inMarch2016tothesouthwesternprovinceofYunnan,thoughttobetimedtocoincidewiththeannualmeetingoftheNationalPeople’sCongress(NPC)from5-15March2016.Healthconcerns:GaoYu,whosuffersfromMenière’sDisease,hasalsosufferedseveregastroenteritiswhileinprison.GaoreportedlysufferedtwoheartattacksatthebeginningofOctober2015.Accordingtoherlawyer,Gao'shealthwasdeterioratingandthemedicaltreatmentreceivedinprisonwasinsufficient.Update:GaoyuwasreportedlydeniedpermissiontotraveltoGermanytoreceivemedicaltreatmentinFebruary2016,despitehavingobtainedavisa.Subsequently,GaoYuwasreportedlyhospitalisedaftertheBeijingMunicipalBureauofCityAdministrationandLawEnforcementidentifiedhergardenfordestructionon31March2016. Some20ormoreplainclothespoliceandurbanmanagementofficials,knownas‘chengguan,’cametoGaoYu’sBeijinghomewithoutwarning.Withoutacourtorder,theydestroyedwhattheyclaimedwasanillegalgardenstructure,accordingtoreports.Gao’sson,ZhaoMeng,wasreportedlybeatenduringtheincident.AconfrontationarisingfromGao’sattemptstopreventthedemolitionisreportedtohavetriggered

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herheartcondition.ShewasadmittedtoAnzhenHospitalon5April2016.Background:Gaohasbeenjailedtwicebeforeforheractivism.AftertheTiananmencrackdownin1989shewaslockedup,butshewasreleasedafter15monthsforhealthconcerns.In1993shewasarrestedagainandinNovember1994wassentencedtosix-yearsforleakingstatesecretsinherwritinginpolitics.Shewasreleasedin1999thankstoamedicalparole.Awards:TheWAN1995GoldenPenofFreedomaward,theIWMF1995/2006CourageinJournalismAwards,andtheUNESCO/GuillermoCano1997WorldPressFreedomprize,namedoneoftheInternationalPressInstitute’s50WorldPressFreedomHeroesofthe20thcentury.Honorarymember:HonoraryDirectorofIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC),HonorarymemberofCzechPEN,SwedishPENandDanishPEN.PENAction:Pressstatements7May2014;2June2014and21November2014;RAN09/14andupdates;DayoftheImprisonedWritercase2014;InternationalWomen’sDaycase2015

PUZhiqiang:Profession:writerandhumanrightslawyerDateofbirth:17January1965Dateofarrest:4May2014Dateofrelease:15December2015Sentence:ThreeyearssuspendedDetailsofarrest:Anumberofparticipantsata3May2014gatheringwerereportedlytakeninforquestioningbypolice.Mostwerereleasedafterinterrogation,however,PuwascriminallydetainedalongwithHuShigen,HaoJian,XuYouyuandLiuDi(see‘Briefdetention’in2014CaseList)onsuspicionof‘causingadisturbance.’On13June,hewasformallychargedwith‘causingadisturbance’and‘illegalaccesstocitizens'personalinformation’forallegedlyprovidingmediawithmaterialsofinvestigationsaboutcorruption.InNovember2014,policeextendedthechargesagainstPuforincitingtosplitthecountryandincitingethnichatred,reportedlybasedon28piecesofhiscriticalcommentsonWeibo,China'sversionofTwitter.Currentplaceofdetention:BeijingNo.1DetentionCentre.Detailsoftrial:On15May2015Pu’slawyersstatedthathewillstandtrialinBeijingonthechargesof‘incitingethnichatred’and‘pickingquarrels’.Theprosecutorsdidnotannouncethedateofthetrial,whichcouldbetwoorthreemonthsaway,accordingtoPu’slawyers.On22May,Pu’sdefencesaidthathedeniedthecharges.On14December2015,PuwastriedbeforeaBeijingcourt,andon15Decemberhewasgivenathree-yearsuspendedsentence.ThesentencemeantthatPucouldgofree,but,accordingtohislawyerMoShaoping,Pu’scareerasalawyerisoverduetohiscriminalconviction.Update:On13April2016,theBeijingmunicipalBureauofJusticeannounceditsdecisiontostripPu’slicencetopractisethelaw,citinghisconvictionasthereason.Healthconcerns:Pusuffersfromdiabetes,highbloodpressure,highcholesterolandprostatitis(beingunabletosleep).Hislawyer’sapplicationsforareleaseonmedicalgroundswereallrejected.On15August2015Puwastakentoahospitalduetoashortnessofbreath,butwasreturnedtotheprisonthesameday.Background:On3May2014,atleast15people–writers,scholarsandactivists–gatheredataprivateresidenceinBeijingtocommemoratetheforthcoming25thanniversaryofthebrutalcrackdownon4thJune1989pro-democracyprotests,whichresultedinthedeathsofanestimated2,000unarmedindividualsatthehandsofChinesetroopsincitiesacrossthecountry.ThegroupreleasedastatementafterthemeetingcallingontheChinesegovernmenttolaunchanofficialinvestigationintotheeventsin1989andtocompensatethevictims.Awards:ICPC’s2015LiuXiaoboCouragetoWriteAwardHonorarymemberof:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).PENAction:Pressstatement7May2014

Released

LEEBo(alsoknownasPaulLee):(alsoaBritishcitizen)Profession:editoratMightyCurrentpublishinghouseDateofdisappearance:30December2015Detailsofdisappearance:LeereportedlydisappearedfromHongKongon30December2015.Accordingtolocalnewsreports,hewaslastseenathiscompany’swarehouseanddidnothavehistravelpermitformainlandChinawithhim.LeeisthefifthpersonassociatedwithMightyCurrenttohavedisappearedsinceOctober2015.Update:Accordingto5January2016reports,Lee’swiferetractedamissingpersons’reportafterreceivingaletterfromhiminwhichhereportsthathewenttomainlandChinainordertoworkwith‘concernedparties’.Accordingto16January2016reports,

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theHongKongpolicereceivedconfirmationfromGuangdongprovince’spublicsecuritydepartmentthatLeewasinmainlandChina.TheHongKongpoliceisreportedtohavemetwithLeeBoon29February2016followingtheinterventionofInterpolandtheBritishForeignSecretary,whosaidthatBritishintelligencehadshowedthatLeehadbeeninvoluntarilyremovedfromHongKong.Lee’sdeparturedidnotfeatureonofficialrecords.On24March2016,LeereturnedtoHongKong.AuthoritiesissuedastatementsayingLeehadtravelledtoMainlandChinavoluntarilyandhadnotbeendetained.PENAction:12November2015statement

LINRongji(alsowritten:LamWingKee),profession:CausewayBookStoremanagerLUBo(alsowritten:LuiPor),profession:GeneralmanagerofCausewayBookStoreZHANGZhiping(alsowritten:CheungChiPing),profession:staffmemberofMightyCurrentpublishinghouseandCausewayBookStoreDateofdisappearance:October2015Detailsofdisappearance:Lin,LuandZhangarereportedtohavedisappearedwhiletravellinginGuangzhouprovince,mainlandChina,inOctober.AccordingtoastatementmadebyLinfollowinghisrelease,hewasarrestedwhencrossingtheborderintoShenzhenon24October2015,andsubsequentlyblindfolded,handcuffedandtakentoNingbo.InFebruary2016,theHongKongauthoritiesreportedlysaidthattheChinesemainlandauthoritieshadwrittentoconfirmthatcriminalcompulsorymeasureshadbeentakenagainstthemforallegedillegalactivities.TheywerethoughttobebeingheldbyGuangdongpolice.Otherinformation:allthreearereportedtohaveappearedintelevisedinterviewsinFebruary2016,inwhichthey‘confessed’torunninganillegalbooksellingbusiness.InJune2016,Linisreportedtohaverevealedthatthe‘confession’hadbeenscriptedandcoerced,LuandZhanghavesubsequentlydeniedthis.Linalsostatedthathehadbeeninterrogatedatleast30timeswithoutaccesstoalawyer.Detailsofrelease:ZhangandLuwerereportedlyreleasedonbailinMarch2016.TheyreportedlyreturnedbrieflytoHongKongon6and4Marchrespectively,buttravelledbacktomainlandChina.Linwasreleasedon14June2016,whenhewasallowedtoreturntoHongKongprovidedhesupplythemainlandwithcustomerrecords,accordingtotheHumanRightsinChina.EacharereportedtohavemetwiththeHongKongpoliceandrequestedthattheycanceltheirmissingpersonscases,accordingtonewsreports.Background:SinceOctober2015,fiveemployeesofthepublisherMightyCurrentanditsretailarmCausewayBookStorehavedisappeared.Theyinclude,MightyCurrentpublisher,GuiMinhai(see‘Enforceddisappearance’above)andLeeBo,editoratMightyCurrent(see‘Released’above).CausewayBooksisthoughttobeatargetoftheauthoritiesduetothenatureofitspublications,oftenpoliticalinnature.

LIUXinglian:Profession:editorofnewswebsiteRoseChinaDateofarrest:19June2015Dateofrelease:11April2016Detailsofarrest:Liu’swhereaboutshadreportedlybeenunknownforamonthuntil,on19June2015,hewasformallyarrestedonchargesof‘incitingsubversionofstatepower.’Itisthoughtthathisarrestmaybeconnectedtohispublishingandre-postingofhumanrightsnewsonRoseChina.Update:AccordingtoFrontLineDefenders,LiuwasreleasedfromcustodyinWuhanNo.2DetentionCentreduetoill-health.Background:LiuhadbeenpublishingnewsonhumanrightsabusesinChinaonthewebpageRoseChina.InMarch2015,localpolicereportedlyputLiuunderhousearrestforoveramonthinordertopreventhimfromattendingaprotest.

WANGXiaolu:Profession:journalistwithCaijingMagazineDateofarrest:25August2015Dateofrelease:earlyFebruary2016Detailsofarrest:Wangwastakenintocustodyon25August2015forastorypublishedon20July,accordingtonewsreports.Wangwasreportedlyaccusedof‘colludingwithothersandfabricatingandspreadingfakeinformationonsecuritiesandfuturesmarket’.Followinghisarrest,hewasplacedundercriminalcompulsorymeasures,includingsurveillance,on30August.Conditionsofdetention:On31August,Wangmadeatelevisedpublicapologyinanallegedconfessiononthestatebroadcaster,CCTV.Intheapology,inwhichhelookedtiredandnervous,Wangregrettedpublishingthestory,saidhewaswillingtoconfesshiscrimeandhopedthe

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authoritieswouldhandlehimleniently.Background:ThearrestofWangcameafterChineseauthoritiesclampeddownonmediareportingofthetroubledstockmarket.InJuly2015,thegovernmentissuedadirectiverestrictingallmediatolimitcoverageofthestockexchangetopreventfluctuationsofthemarket.HonoraryMember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

ZHAOChangqing:Profession:freelancewriterandpoliticalessayist.MemberofIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).DateofBirth:6April1969Sentence:Twoyearsandsixmonthsinprison.Dateofarrest:17April2013Dateofsentence:18April2014Dateofrelease:16October2015Detailsofarrest:Arrestedathishomebypolicewhoconfiscatedhiscomputer,notebooks,booksandotheritems.Detailsoftrial:ChargedwithdisruptingsocialorderinconnectionwithhisactivitieswiththeNewCitizens’Movement,agrassrootsnetworkofactivistsinChina(seeXuZhiyongabove),histrialcommencedon23January2014.Zhaowasreportedlyconvictedofdisruptingsocialorderon18April2014.On27June2014,hisappealwasrejected.Background:Zhaohaspreviouslybeendetainedtwiceforhisdissidentactivitiesandwritings.Hehasservedatotalofeightyearsinprisonfor‘incitingsubversionofstatepower’since1998.PENAction:MentionedinUpdate#1toRAN02/14

Caseclosed

LIUWei:Profession:award-winninginvestigativereporterforthenewspaperSouthernMetropolisDateofarrest:8October2015Dateofrelease:31October2015Detailsofdetention:PolicefromthePingxiangprefectureinJiangxiprovincedetainedLiuinChengdu,Sichuanprovince,on8October2015.Liuhasbeenaccusedofillegallyacquiringstatesecrets,accordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists.HisarrestisinconnectionwithhiscoverageofWangLin,adetainedmartialartist.Liuwasreportedlyreleasedonbailon31October2015aftermakinga‘confession’onChinaCentralTelevision.Background:LiureportedonWangLiu,amartialartistwhowasdetainedinJuly2015andaccusedofinvolvementinthemurderofoneofhisstudents.LiupublisheddocumentsheobtainedfromWang’sex-wifeaboutWang’scase.HonoraryMemberof:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).Awards:2014JournalistoftheYearbySouthernMediaGroup.Caseclosed.

XIANGNanfu(pen-name:FeiXiang):Profession:freelancejournalistandcontributortooverseas-basedBoxunnewswebsite.Dateofarrest:3May2014.Dateofrelease:19August2014Reasonforarrest:Xiangwasreportedlydetainedonsuspicionof‘pickingquarrelsandstirringuptrouble’aftersellinganumberofstoriestoBoxunthattheauthoritiesclaimarefabricated.Detailsofrelease:Xiangwasreleasedonbailforoneyear,pendingtrial,on19August2014Background:XianghadreportedlywrittenanumberofstoriesforBoxunincludingareportthatallegedthattheChinesegovernmenthadharvestedorgansfromlivingpeopleandburiedthemalive,andanotherallegingthatpolicehadbeatenapregnantwomantodeathinalanddispute.Boxun,whichtypicallyfocusesonnewsthatwouldbecensoredwithinChina,reportedlyrejectedthechargesagainstXiang.Caseclosed:CaseclosedduetolackofinformationinJune2016.

INNERMONGOLIAAUTONOMOUSREGION

Detained:investigation

*BURDEE,ACHILALT,ENGKHBAT:Profession:herdersDateofarrest:21March2016Detailsofarrest:Theherderswerereportedlydetainedfor‘instigatingillegalgatherings,protestsanddemonstrationsviatheInternet’aftertheydiscussedrecentprotestsanddetentionsofherdersinRightUzumchinBanneroverminingactivityontraditionalgrazinglandsonthesmartphonemessagingappWeChat.Theywerereportedlyplaced

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under10days’administrativedetentionon23March.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekingtoconfirmiftheyarestilldetained.

TIBETAUTONOMOUSREGION(TAR)

Imprisoned:maincases

DRUKLO(alsoknownasSHOKJANG):Profession:writerandbloggerSentence:3yearsinprisonDateofdetention:19March2015Detailsofdetention:AccordingtoVoiceofAmerica,ChinesesecuritypoliceinRebgongarrestedShokjangandhisbrother-in-lawon19March2015.Whilehisfellowdetaineehassincebeenreleased,Shokjangremainsunderdetentionwithoutanyreasonsgivenorchargesfiledagainsthim.PENisseekingfurtherinformationonthechargeshefaces,hiswhereaboutsandhiswell-being.Detailsoftrial:Accordingtoreports,ShokjangwassentencedtothreeyearsinprisonbytheintermediatepubliccourtinMalhoprefectureon17February2016.Amongotherthings,itappearsthatShokjangwasconvictedofinstigatingseparatistriotsin2008,contactingexternalseparatistgroups,andwritinganumberofarticlesdetrimentaltosocialsecurityonsocialmedia.Duringthehearing,heisreportedtohaveannouncedhisintentiontoappeal.Background:AccordingtoRadioFreeAsia,ShokjanghadwrittenonthedeploymentofChinesesecurityforcesinRebgong;hehadalsowrittenareportaboutpoorstudentsinKangtsa(Gangcha)countythedaybeforehisarrest.PENAction:19February2016statement

*JAMYANG(penname:Lomigor‘EyeofAwareness’):Profession:writerDateofbirth:c1988Sentence:seven-and-a-halfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:17April2015Detailsoftrial:On9May2016,Jamyangwasreportedlysentencedtoseven-and-a-halfyearsinprisonbytheWintrenPeople’sCourt.Accordingtoreports,Jamyangwasconvictedforallegedlyleakingstatesecretsandorganisingseparatistactivitiesbetween2009and2015,accusationshedenied.Jamyangwasreportedlydeniedaccesstoalawyerduringthetrial.Background:Jamyangisreportedtohavewrittenarticlesonfreedomofspeech,theenvironmentandself-immolationinTibet.In2010hepublishedabookentitledSurgeofYellowMist.TheTibetanCenterforHumanRightsandDemocracyhasallegedthatlocalauthoritiesheldJamyangformorethanayearwithoutinforminghisfamilyofhiswhereabouts,inviolationofChineselaw,andthathewastorturedduringthistime.

KunchokTsephelGOPEYTSANG:Profession:InternetwriterandeditoroftheTibetanlanguagewebsiteChomeihttp://www.tibetcm.comandalsoworkedasanenvironmentalofficerfortheChinesegovernmentDateofBirth:1970Sentence:15yearsinprisonExpires:2024Dateofarrest:26February2009Detailsofarrest:ArrestedbyChinesesecurityofficialsathishomeinthetownofNyul-ra,GannanTibetanAutonomousPrefecture,GansuProvince.Atthetimeofhisarrest,GopeyTsang’shousewassearchedandhiscomputerconfiscated.Currentplaceofdetention:GannanPrison,GannanTibetanAutonomousPrefecture,GansuProvinceDetailsoftrial:On12November2009,hewassentencedfor‘disclosingstatesecrets’.Hisfamilywasnottoldofhiswhereaboutsuntilhewassummonedtocourttoheartheverdict.ThetrialwasheldattheIntermediatePeople’sCourtofKanlho,inaclosedhearing.Healthconcerns:Therearefearsforhishealth.Background:Chomeiwebsite,whichpromotesTibetancultureandliterature,wascreatedbyGopeyTsangandTibetanpoetKyab-chenDe-drolin2005andsincethenithasbeencloselymonitoredbytheauthorities.Itissaidthatthesitewasshutdownseveraltimesduring2007and2008.In1995KunchokTsephelGopeyTsangwasheldfortwomonthsbyPublicSecurityBureauofficialsonunknowncharges,andwasreportedlyill-treatedindetention.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).PENAction:RAN16/09–17March2009;Update#1–23November2009;2013DayoftheImprisonedWritercase

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GartseJIGME:Profession:writerandmonkDateofBirth:1977Sentence:FiveyearsinprisonExpires:January2018Dateofarrest:1January2013Detailsofarrest:AteamofsecurityofficialsreportedlyraidedhisroomattheRebgongGartsemonasteryintheMalhoPrefectureon1January2013,beforeescortinghimaway.ArrestedforpoliticalviewsexpressedinhisbookTsenpoiNyingtop(Tsenpo’sValour),whichhehadfinishedwritinginearlyDecember2012andwasplanningtopublish.ThebookinquestionisthesecondvolumeofTsenpoiNyintop,whichcontainsthewriter’sreflectionsandopinionsonwiderangingsubjectsincludingself-immolationprotests.BetweenFebruary2009andJune2014,thetotalnumberofself-immolationprotestsinTibetreached131.Currentplaceofdetention:Afterhisarrest,GartseJigmewasinitiallyheldintheprovincialcapitalofXining,followedbyseveralmonths’detentioninRebkongCountyinMalhoPrefecture.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Detailsoftrial:On14May2013,GartseJigmewassentencedtofiveyearsinprisonbyTsekhogCountyPeople’sCourtinMalhoTibetanAutonomousPrefecture,QinghaiProvince.Background:GartseJigmehasbeenwritingsince1999andhaswonseverallocalliteraryprizes.Hisfirstbook,MusingsonMyReflectionsreceivedfavorablereviewsfromfriendsandothersinthecommunity.HewasalsoaBuddhistscholarhavingstudiedandsuccessfullypassedmajorBuddhistcoursesathismonasteryin2003.ThefirstvolumeofTsenpoiNyingtopwaspublishedin2008.InApril2011,thelocalPublicSecurityBureau(PSB)officersbrieflydetainedhimforhisviewspublishedinthebook.ThesecondvolumecouldnotbepublishedinTibetasplannedbyitsauthor.However,thebookwaspublishedsoonafterGartseJigme’ssentencingbyexiledTibetansinIndia.AnEnglishtranslationofhisessayonTibetanself-immolationprotestsisavailablefromtheTibetanCentreforHumanRightsandDemocracy(TCHRD).Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).

Imprisoned:investigation

GANGKYEDrubpaKyab:Profession:saidtobeawell-knownandpopularwriter,whosewritingsinclude‘CallofFate’,‘PainofThisEra’and‘Today’sTearofPain’.HehasworkedasateacherinSertharforalmostadecadeDateofbirth:c1979Sentence:Five-and-a-halfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:15February2012Detailsofarrest:Gangkyewasarrestedwithoutawarrantbyateamof20policeofficersfromhishomeinSertharcounty,SichuanProvince,justbeforemidnighton15February2012.Hewasheldincommunicadofor18monthsafterhisarrest.Detailsoftrial:Gangkyewasreportedlysentencedon1August2013attheCountyPeople’sCourtinNyagchuCountyafterconvictionofincitingasplitinthecountry.Thechargesarethoughttobeinrelationtohisallegedmembershipofasecretpoliticalgroupthe‘Anti-CommunistPartyAssociation(MashogNgogolTsogpa)’.Accordingtoreports,GangkyewassentencedalongwithfourotherTibetanmen.Currentplaceofdetention:Hispresentplaceandconditionsofdetentionremainunknown.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:HisarrestcameamidstescalatingtensionsinTibetanareasfollowingaseriesofself-immolationsandprotestsagainstChineserule,whichwereviolentlysuppressedbythesecurityforces.PENInternationalisseekinginformationabouthiswhereaboutsandwellbeing.(RAN10/12–22February2012).Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).[StopPress:Gangkyewasreleasedearlyon16September2016]

TsultrimGYALTSEN(pen-name:Shokdil),Profession:writerYUGYAL,Profession:writer,formerpolicemanSentence:13yearsand10yearsinprison,respectivelyDateofarrest:11and12October2013,respectivelyDetailsofarrest:GyaltsenandYugyalhavereportedlybeendetainedsince12October2013,inTengkharvillageinShamchutown,inDrirucounty.Detailsoftrial:On28October2013,thewritersweresentencedbyaPeople’sCourtinTibetAutonomousRegion,to13and10yearsinprisonfor‘disturbingsocialstability’and‘misconductwithgovernmentofficials’.FamilymemberswerereportedlyonlyinformedinMarch2014oftheprisonsentences,priortowhichtherehadbeennoinformationonthetwomensincetheirdetentioninOctober2013.Background:Botharesuspected

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ofbeinginvolvedinprotestsinDrirucounty,whichbeganafterTibetansrefusedgovernmentorderstoflyChineseflagsfromtheirhomes.

LoLO:Profession:singerDateofBirth:1983Sentence:SixyearsinprisonDateofarrest:Brieflydetainedon19April2012andrearrestedlater.Detailsofarrest:Lowasreportedlyarrestedon19April2012,afewmonthsafterthereleaseofhisalbumRaisetheFlagofTibet,SonsoftheSnow.ThelyricscallforindependenceforTibetandforthereturnoftheDalaiLama.LoisoriginallyfromDhomdatowninYulshulcounty.Hewasreleasedshortlyafterwardsbutwaslaterre-detained.Currentplaceofdetention:prisoninSiling,Qinqhaiprovince.Detailsoftrial:On23February2013,hewasreportedlysentencedtosixyears’imprisonmentinconnectionwithhissongs.PENInternationalisseekinginformationaboutthespecificcharges.AnEnglishtranslationofoneofhissongscanbereadhere.Conditionsofdetention:ApictureofLolotakenclandestinelyinApril2015duringaprisonvisithasraisedfearsthatheisnotbeingtreatedwellandthathehasbeensufferingfromhealthcomplications,accordingtotheTibetanCentreforHumanRightsandDemocracy.TheChineseauthoritiesarealsoreportedtohaverefusedpermissionforfamilymemberstovisithiminprisontodeliverclothesandfood.Healthconcerns:Accordingtovariousreports,Loisinverypoorhealth.

GonpoTENZIN:Profession:singerandsong-writerSentence:Threeandahalfyearsinprison,aswellasdeprivationofhispoliticalrightsforfouryearsDateofarrest:30November2013Detailsofarrest:TenzinhadreportedlybeenonapolicewantedlistpriortohisbeingtakenintocustodyinLhasa.HewasreportedlyarrestedinNovember2013onunknowncharges,andwaskeptindetentionwithoutanyaccesstolegalproceedingsforoverayear.HisCDentitled‘HowCanWeHaveNewYear’sCelebrationsinTibet?’isthoughttobethemainreasonforhisdetention.Detailsoftrial:On15April2015,Tenzinwasreportedlysentencedtothree-and-a-half-yearsinprisoninconnectionwithhissong‘WhereisthenewyearinTibet’.Theprecisechargesareunknown.Currentplaceofdetention:unknown.Conditionsofdetention:Duringhisdetention,Tenzinwastorturedanddeprivedofallpoliticalandlegalrights,accordingtotheCentralTibetanAdministration.Background:Tenzin’srecordingsreportedlyfocusedonthemesinvolvingTibetanunityandthepromotionoftheTibetanlanguage.

TOBDEN:Profession:nomadandwriterSentence:FiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:28October2013Detailsoftrial:Theexactchargesareunclear,butitisthoughtthatheandeightotherswereconvictedofmaintainingcontactswith‘theDalaiclique’and‘engaginginactivitiestosplitthenation’.Tobdenwasreportedlysentencedtofiveyearsinprisonon30November2013.Background:Accordingtoreports,Tobden’swritingsonTibetannationalthemesmayhaveespeciallyangeredtheChineseauthorities.

TrinleyTSEKAR:Profession:singerandsong-writerDateofarrest:20November2013Sentence:Nineyears’imprisonmentDetailsofarrest:HewasreportedlyarrestedinNagchutownfollowingapublicprotestinMay2013.TsekarhadreportedlygonetoNagchuinordertoapplyforadriver’slicense.Detailsoftrial:Tsekarwasreportedlyaccusedof‘attackingthelocalpublicsecurityorgan,assaultingpolicemen,smashingoffices,damagingpropertiesandobjects[and]gravelydisturbingsocialorderduetohisparticipationintheprotests.’Accordingtoa13January2014report,TsekarwasconvictedandsentencedtonineyearsinprisoninlateDecember2013.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:TsekarhasreportedlywrittenmanysongsonTibetanthemes.HisCDentitled,‘LinksofUnity’isespeciallywellknown.PENInternationalisseekingfurtherdetails.

Detained:maincase

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PaljorNORBU(akaPanjueRuobu):Profession:PrinterDateofBirth:1927Dateofarrest:31October2008Sentence:SevenyearsinprisonExpires:30October2015Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedfromhishomeinLhasaforallegedlyprinting‘prohibitedmaterial’,includingthebannedTibetanflag.Hisfamilywerenotinformedofhisarrest.Detailsoftrial:ReportedlytriedinsecretinNovember2008,possiblyonchargesof‘incitingseparatism’,andsentencedtosevenyearsinprison.Hisfamilywereinformedofthesentenceinwritingbuthavenotbeenallowedtovisithim.Hiswhereaboutsareunknown.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016,althoughheshouldhavebeenreleased.Hisfamilyisworriedduetohisageandhisunknownwhereabouts.Otherinformation:AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch,NorbucomesfromafamilywithalonghistoryofprintingandpublishingBuddhisttextsformonasteries.Heissaidtobeaninternationallyrenownedmasterprinter.Heusedbothmodernandtraditionalwoodblockprintingtechniquesinhisworkshop,whichemployedseveraldozenworkers.Inadditiontoreligioustexts,theshopalsoprintedprayerflags,folkreproductions,books,leafletsandtraditionalliterature.Afterhisarresttheshopwascloseddownandbooksandwoodblocksconfiscated.

Detained:investigation

DawaTSOMO(f):Profession:bloggerDateofarrest:23August2014Detailsofarrest:Therearereportsthatherarrestcouldbelinkedtoherpostingsonpoliticalissues,suchastheconditionsinwhichTibetansliveintheareasaffectedbytheApril2014earthquake.Tsomowasarrestedfromherhome,inDzatoeCounty,easternTibetonunknowncharges.Herwhereaboutsremainedunknownasof30June2016;PENisseekingtoconfirmifsheremainsindetention.

*TASHIWangchuk:Profession:bloggerandentrepreneurDateofbirth:1986Dateofarrest:27January2016Detailsofarrest:TashiwasarrestedinYushu,aftertwoarticlesintheNewYorkTimeswerepublishedinNovemberandDecember2015,whichgaveinformationonhisattemptstofilealawsuitagainsttheChineseauthoritiesfortheirfailuretoprotectandpromoteTibetancultureandlanguage.HisfamilyweredeniedinformationabouthiswhereaboutsandlegalsituationuntilMarch2016. Detailsoftrial:Tashiwasreportedlychargedwith‘incitingseparatism’on4March2016.Ifconvicted,hecouldserveupto15yearsinprison.Placeofdetention:MaindetentionCentreinYushu,QinghaiProvinceBackground:TashihasregularlywrittenonTibetanlanguageeducationandexpressedconcernthatmanyTibetanchildrenareunabletobecomefluentintheirnativelanguage.Hisviewshavealsobeenthesubjectofanine-minutedocumentary.

Released

TRITSUN(akaTriBhoeTrak):Profession:TibetanmonkandwriterDateofBirth:1987Dateofarrest:11March2013Dateofrelease:19March2016Sentence:UnknownDetailsofarrest:DetainedonunknownchargesbythePeople’sArmedPoliceinGrade(Gade)County,whilehewasvisitinghismother.ItiswidelybelievedthatTritsun’sarrestislinkedtothebookheauthoredandpublishedon8March2013DenpaiKhalang(BreathofTruth),atTongkyapMonastery,whichcontainsessaysonself-immolations.Detailsofrelease:AccordingtotheTibetanCentreforHumanRightsandDemocracy,Tritsunwasreleasedon19March2016.Detailsoftrial:InlateApril2013,anofficerfromGradecountypoliceissaidtohavevisitedTritsun’smotherwithanotificationthathersonhadbeensentenced.ShewasnotgiveninformationonthelengthofthesentenceortheprisonwhereTritsunwasbeingheld.Thereisnofurtherinformationaboutreasonsforhisrelease,norhiscurrentcondition.

Caseclosed

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KHELSANG(KALSANG)Jinpa(pen-name:Garmi):Profession:poetandwriteroriginallyfromSangchucounty,Amdo,Gansuprovince.HasreportedlypublishedpoetryandstoriesinthejournalPanggyenMetokPastureAdorningFlowers)andco-editedtheModernSelfperiodicalandcontributedtotheTibetan-languagejournalSharDungri.Dateofarrest:early2014.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;PENisseekingtoconfirmifheremainsindetention.Background:Khelsangwasreleasedfromprisononexpiryofhisthree-yearprisonsentencefor‘incitementtosplitthenation’inJuly2013inconnectionwithanarticle,‘Thecaseforlifebloodandlifeforce’,writtenunderthepenname‘Garmi’(‘theBlacksmith’)andpublishedinSharDungriin2008.Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC)andSuisseRomandPENCentre.Caseclosed:CaseclosedduetolackofinformationinJune2016.

XINJIANGUYGHURAUTONOMOUSREGION(XUAR)

Imprisoned:maincase

PerhatHALMURAT,profession:editorofUyghurOnlineShohretTURSUN,profession:studentofIlhamTohtiAbdukeyumABLIMIT,profession:studentofIlhamTohtiMutellipIMIN,profession:studentofIlhamTohtiandAtikemROZI,profession:studentofIlhamTohti:Dateofarrest:January2014Detailsofarrest:ThefivewerereportedlyarrestedaroundthesametimeasIlhamTohti(see‘Detained:maincase’above).HalmuratandTursunwerereportedlyformallychargedwith‘splittism’,whileAblimitwaschargedwith‘revealingstatesecrets’on24February2014.ChargesagainstIminandRoziremainunknown.Currentplaceofdetention:Halmurat,TursunandAblimitarethoughttobeheldinadetentioncentreinUrumqi.ThewhereaboutsofIminandRoziareunknown.Detailsoftrial:Reportedlytriedon25November2014attheIntermediatePeople’sCourtinUrumqi.Theverdictofthecourtremainsunknownasof30June2016.Background:HalmuratandIminwerebothsubjectedtoharassmentin2013whentheywereeachprevented,onseparateoccasions,fromboardingflightstoTurkey.Iminwasheldwithoutchargefor79days,whileHalmuratwasheldfor16hours(formoreinformationseeJanuary-December2013CaseList).PENAction:RAN03/14andupdates

TursunjanHEZIM:DateofBirth:1973Profession:formerhistoryteacherandfounderofthenowclosedpopularUyghurhistorywebsiteOrkhun(www.orkhun.com).Sentence:SevenyearsinprisonExpires:July2016Dateofarrest:July2009Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedshortlyafterthe5July2009protestsinUrumchi,whichturnedviolentafterpolicecrackeddownonpeacefulprotesters.Hezim’sfamilywasneverinformedofthechargesagainsthimandhiswhereaboutsremainunknown.Noofficialreasonhasbeengivenforhisdetentionthoughheisbelievedtobetargetedforhispeacefulculturalactivismandwritings.Detailsoftrial:ReportedinMarch2011tohavebeensentencedinJuly2010tosevenyearsinjailbytheAksudistrictcourtataclosedtrial.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,theOrkhunwebsitemainlyfeaturedscholarlyarticlesonUyghurhistoryandcultureandwasanimportantresourceforUyghurintellectualsandstudents.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

GulmireIMIN(f):Profession:UyghurpoetandwebsitemoderatorfortheUyghurlanguagewebsiteSalkin.Dateofbirth:1978Sentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:14July2009Detailsofarrest:arrestedafterprotestswhichtookplaceinUrumqion5July2009.Currentplaceofdetention:XinjiangWomen’sPrisoninUrumqi.Detailsoftrial:Shewashandeddownalifeimprisonmentsentencefor‘splittism,leakingstatesecretsandorganisinganillegaldemonstration’bytheUrumqiIntermediateCourton1April2010.Conditionsindetention:TherearereportsthatIminwastorturedandill-treatedina

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policedetentioncentre.Shewasreportedlycoercedintosigningadocumentwithoutknowingthecontent.Sheisallowedtoreceivefamilyvisitsonceeverythreemonths.PENInternationallearnedofthecaseinlate2012andisseekingforfurtherdetails.Otherinformation:In2012,theUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionruledthat‘thedeprivationoflibertyofMs.Iminis…arbitraryandincontraventionofarticles8,9,10and19oftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights.’Awards:2012Hellman/Hammettaward.

HailaiteNIYAZI(akaHairatorGheyretNiyaz):Profession:freelancejournalistandformereditorofthewebsiteUyghurOnline(www.uighurbiz.net).DateofBirth:14June1959Dateofarrest:1October2009Sentence:15yearsinprisonExpires:2024Detailsofarrest:HailaiteNiyaziwasarrestedfromhishomeinTianshanDistrict,TachengPrefecture,XinjiangUyghurAutonomousRegion(XUAR),on1October2009.ItisbelievedthathisarreststemsfromcriticalinterviewsgiventoforeignmediafollowingtheunrestwhichbrokeoutinUrumqi,thecapitalofXinjiangUyghurAutonomousRegion,on5July2009andwhichhehadtriedtowarntheauthoritiesabout.Currentplaceofdetention:ChangjiPrison,ChangjiHuiAutonomousPrefecture,XUAR,PRChina.Detailsoftrial:TheprosecutionreportedlyusedasevidenceessayswrittenbyNiyazihighlightingmountingethnictensionintheregionpriortotheriots,andinterviewshegavetoHongKongmediaaftertheviolence.NiyaziwasconvictedbytheUrumqiIntermediatePeople’sCourtonchargesof‘endangeringnationalsecurity’on23July2010.Hisappealwasrejected.Otherinformation:Aweekafterhissentencing,agroupof51Chineselawyersandintellectuals,includingWangLixiong,MaoYushi,CuiWeiping,publishedanopenletterexpressingtheirconcernaboutthe‘criminalisationoffreespeech’thatoccurredinthecase.AnEnglishtranslationofthelettermaybereadhere.Background:HailaiteNiyaziisaformerreporterandcolumnistforXinjiangEconomicDailyandXinjiangLegalNews.UntilJune2009heeditedandmanageduighurbiz.net,thewebsiteownedbytheacademic,writerandUyghurPENmemberIhamTohti,himselfarrestedinJuly2009andheldforsixweeksforallegedly‘promotingseparatism’and,mostrecently,inJanuary2014(seebelow).Honorarymember:IndependentChinesePENCentre.PENAction:RAN56/09andupdates.

IlhamTOHTI:Profession:writer,academic,memberofUyghurPENandfounderofthewebsiteUyghurOnlineDateofbirth:25October1969Sentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:15January2014.Detailsofarrest:Tohtiwasarrestedathishomeon15January2014andheldincommunicado,withoutaccesstohislawyer.HewasformallyarrestedinFebruary.Astatement,releasedbytheBureauofPublicSecurityatthetimeofTohti’sarrest,allegedthatTohtiwasunderinvestigationforthepromotionofseparatismandrecruitingfollowersthroughhiswebsite.Reportsindicatethathismothermayalsohavebeenbrieflydetained.Detailsoftrial:Formallychargedwith‘splittism’inJuly2014,hewassentencedtolifeimprisonmentandconfiscationofallhispropertyon23September2014afteratwo-daytrialwhichbeganon17September2014.Tohtideniedthecharges.TherearereportsthatduringthetrialmaterialwasshownrepresentingTohti'sviewsontheUighurminorityandChina'spolicies.Someofthematerialhadbeendownloadedfromhiswebsiteandteachingpapers.TheprosecutoralsoreportedlyaddedthatTohtihad‘internationalised’theUyghurissue,bytranslatingarticlesandessaysabouttheXinjiangregionforhiswebsite,andbyprovidinginterviewstointernationalmedia.On21November2014,theXinjiang’shighcourtrejectedTohti’sappealagainsttheconvictionandupheldthelifesentence.InOctober2015,TohtireportedlycalledonhisfamilytoengagelawyersandlodgeanappealforhimthroughtheChinesejudicialsystem.Conditionsindetention:TohtiwasallowedtoseehislawyerforthefirsttimeinJune2014.HeisreportedtohavebeenshackledanddeprivedoffoodandadequatewaterwhileinprisoninMarch2014,asapunishmentforfailingtocooperatewiththeauthorities.Duringhisinitialdaysindetention,Tohtireportedlystageda10-dayhungerstrikeinprotestagainstthefoodservedtohim,asitdidnotfollowIslamicdietarylaws.HewasreportedlydeniedfoodforafurthereightdaysafteradeadlyattackatatrainstationinKunming,whichthegovernmentblamedonseparatistUyghur

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militants.Update:InFebruary2016,theauthoritiesgavepermissionforTohtitoreceivevisitsfromrelatives.However,inthesamemonthhisbrotherwasreportedlydeniedtherighttovisithim.Otherinformation:InMay2014,theuniversityreportedlystoppedpayinghissalary.InMarch2014,itwasreportedthattheauthoritieshadfrozenTohti’sbankaccounts.Background:AneconomicsprofessoratBeijing’sCentralUniversityforNationalities,Tohtiisknownasanoutspokencriticofthegovernment’sethnicpoliciesintheXinjiangUyghurAutonomousRegion(XUAR).In2009,TohtispentoversixweeksindetentionafterhespokeoutabouttheethnicunrestwhichbrokeoutinUrumqi,capitalofXinjiang,on5July2009(seeunder‘released’inJuly-December2009caselist).AnumberofpeopleassociatedwithUyghurOnline,awebsitededicatedtothepromotionofunderstandingbetweenethnicUyghursandHanChinese,havefacedsimilarharassment.HailaiteNiyazi,alsoknownasGheyretNiyaz,isservinga15-yearprisonsentencefor‘endangeringnationalsecurity’followinghisconvictionon23July2010(see‘Imprisoned:maincase’above).TohtireportedlyfacedcontinuedharassmentonthepartoftheChineseauthoritiesoverthecourseof2013.Formoreinformation,pleaseseeJanuary–December2013CaseList.Fiveofhisstudents,PerhatHalmurat,ShohretTursun,AbdukeyumAblimit,MutellipIminandAtikemRoziwerearrestedaroundthesametimeasTohti(seeabove).HalmuratandTursunwerereportedlyformallychargedwith‘splittism’whileAblimitwaschargedwith‘revealingstatesecrets’on24February2014.TheyarethoughttobeheldinadetentioncentreinUrumqi,howevertheirexactlocation,aswellasthelocationsofIminandRoziremainunknown.Awards:2014PEN/BarbaraGoldsmithFreedomtoWriteAward;andtheIsmailGaspiraliTurkicWorldFreedomAwardfromtheBartinProvinceJournalistAssociationandInternationalJournalismassociationforTurkic-SpeakingCountries.Nominatedforthe2016MartinEnnalsawardandtheSakharovPrizeHonoraryMember:PENAmericanCentreandIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).PENAction:Pressstatement23September2014,openletter28February2014,RAN03/14andupdates,EmptyChairatPEN’s80thCongressinBishkek,Kyrgyzstan,subjectofPENresolutionadoptedatthe80thCongress,2015InternationalMotherLanguageDaycase

NurmuhemmetYASIN:Profession:freelanceUyghurwriterandpoetDateofBirth:6March1974Dateofarrest:29November2004Sentence:10yearsinprison.Expired:30November2014Detailsofarrest:YasinwasarrestedinKashgaron29November2004forthepublicationofhisshortstoryWildPigeon(YawaKepter),whichwasfirstpublishedinthebi-monthlyUyghur-languageKashgarLiteratureJournal,issueNo.5,November2004.AuthoritiesalsoconfiscatedYasin'spersonalcomputercontaininganestimated1,600poems,commentaries,stories,andoneunfinishednovel.Yasin'sstorywaswidelycirculatedandrecommendedforoneofthebiggestUyghurliterarywebsitesintheUyghurAutonomousRegionforanoutstandingliteratureaward.ItalsoattractedtheattentionoftheChineseauthorities,whoapparentlyconsiderthefabletobeatacitcriticismoftheirgovernmentintheXinjiangUyghurAutonomousRegion.Currentplaceofdetention:UrumqiNo.1Jail,SipingRoad5,UrumqiCity830013,XinjiangUyghurAutonomousRepublic,P.R.ChinaDetailsoftrial:AfteraclosedtrialinFebruary2005,atwhichhewasnotpermittedalawyer,YasinwassentencedbytheMaralbeshCountycourtto10yearsinprisonfor‘incitingUyghurseparatism’inhisbookWildPigeon(YawaKepter).TheKashgarIntermediateCourtupheldhissentenceonappealandYasinwastransferredon19May2005toUrumqiNo.1Jail.Treatmentinprison:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,unconfirmedreportsthatNurmuhemmetYasinhaddiedinprison,whichhavebeencirculatingsince2010,weredisputedbyafamilymember,whoclaimstohavevisitedhiminUrumqiNo.1prisoninJuly2012andfoundhiminreasonablygoodhealth.ShealsoreportedhavingreceivedaletterfromhiminOctober2012whichshebelievesisgenuine.Yasinhasspentmostofthetimesincehisarrestdetainedincommunicadowithoutaccesstofamilyvisits,fosteringspeculationabouthisconditionandpossibledeath.However,Yasin’swifeandtwochildrenwerereportedlygivenpermissiontovisithimattheprisonon16January2013.Inspiteofrepeatedrequestsforinformationabouthiscondition,theChinesegovernmenthasremainedsilentontheissue.Background:NurmuhemmetYasinisanaward-winningandprolificfreelanceUyghurwriter.Hehas

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publishedmanyhighlyacclaimedliteraryworksandprosepoemsinrecentyears,includingthepoetrycollectionsFirstLove,CryingfromtheHeart,andComeonChildren.Heismarriedwithtwoyoungsons.AnEnglishtranslationofhisstoryWildPigeoncanbereadintwopartshereandhere.Honorarymember:American,EnglishandIndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC).PENAction:RAN01/13–9January2013;InternationalMotherLanguageDay2014.PENPosition:AlthoughYasin’ssentenceexpiredinlate2014,therehasbeennonewsofhisrelease.PENiscallingfortheauthoritiestoclarifyYasin’sfateandtoreleasehimifstillalive.

*ZHANGHaitao:Profession:reporteratBoxun.comSentence:19years’imprisonmentDateofarrest:26June2015Detailsfoarrest:Zhangwasreportedlyarrestedonchargesofpickingquarrelsandstirringuptrouble.Currentplaceofdetention:DetentionCenterofXinjiangUygurAutonomousRegion(KashiEastRoad17-1,XinshiDistrict,Urumqi830013,UyghurAutonomousRegion,China)Detailsoftrial:Althoughinitiallychargedwithpickingquarrels,Zhangwasreportedlyconvictedof‘incitementtosubertstatepower’and‘providingintelligenceoverseas.’Hewassentencedto15yearsforincitementandafurtherfouryears’imprisonmentforprovidingintelligenceoverseas,accordingtonewsreports.Zhang’swifewasinformedoftheverdicton18January2016.Thecourtisthoughttohavehandeddownsuchaheavyprisontermowingtohis‘collusion’withoverseasorganisations.Background:Zhang–whoisHanChinese–wasaccusedof‘incitementtosubvertstatepower’afterhepostedarticlesonlinethatwerecriticalofBeijing'srecordinXinjiang,hometothemostlyMuslimUyghurethnicgroup.Zhanghadfrequentlypostedonlinehisopinionscriticalofgovernmentpoliciesandcommentsoncurrentevents,andgaveinterviewstooverseasmedia,aswellaswritingarticlesforahumanrightswebsite,accordingtoRadioFreeAsia.

INDIA

Killed:motiveunknown

*KarunMISRA:Profession:AmbedkarNagarbureauchiefofJanSandeshTimes,aHinduDailyDateofdeath:13February2016Detailsofdeath:MisrawasreportedlyshotdeadbythreegunmenonmotorcyclesinSultanpur,UttarPradesh,ashewasdrivinghome.Detailsofinvestigation:thereasonforMisra’smurderwasnotimmediatelyapparent.ShortlyafterMisra’smurder,theChiefMinisterofUttarPradeshisreportedtohaveorderedtheDirector-GeneralofthePolicetoformaspecialteamtoinvestigatethecase.TwopeoplearereportedtohavebeenarrestedinconnectionwithMisra’smurderasof30June2016.

*RajdevRANJAN:Profession:bureauchiefforSiwanoftheHindinationaldailynewspaperHindustanDateofdeath:13May2016Detailsofdeath:RanjanwasreportedlyshotdeadbyunknownassailantsinBihar.Detailsofinvestigation:AninvestigationledbytheCentralBureauofInvestigation,hasreportedlyledtothearrestoffivepeopleinMay2016inconnectionwithRanjan’smurder.Themotiveforhismurderwasnotimmediatelyclear,howevertherehasbeensomespeculationthathismurdermayhavebeenatthebehestofajailedmemberoftheRashtriyaJanataDalpoliticalparty.

Killed:impunity

TarunKumarACHARYA:Profession:reportedfortheOriya-languagenewspaperSambadandstringerforOrya-languagetelevisionchannelKanakTV.Dateofdeath:27May2014Detailsofkilling:Acharyawasreportedlyfounddeadwithhisthroatslitandinjuriestohischeston28May2014.Accordingtonewsreports,assailantshadstabbedhimthenightbeforeashemadehiswayhomefromworkinKhallikotetown,

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Odisha.Detailsofinvestigation:InitialnewsreportsreportedlyindicatethatAcharya’sprofessionhasbeenruledoutasamotive,withtheauthoritiesfavouringapossiblefamilialdispute.ByOctober2014,fourmenhadbeenarrestedinconnectionwithAcharya’smurder,includingtheallegedmastermindwhoistheownerofacashewprocessingplantinKhallikote.InFebruary2015,afifthsuspectwasreportedlyarrested.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Shortlybeforehismurder,Acharyahadpublishedareportexposingchildlabourpracticesatacashewprocessingfactory.ItisthoughtthattheowneroftheplanthiredthementokillAcharyashortlyafter,payingthemen50,000rupees(US$850).

NarendraDABHOLKAR:Profession:editoroftheweeklyMarathi-languagemagazineSadhana(SpiritualDevotion)Dateanddetailsofkilling:Hewasreportedlyshotdeadbytwounidentifiedgunmenonmotorcycleson20August2013.Dabholkar,aged71,wasreportedlyshotinhisneckandback.Hehadreportedlyspentseveralyearscampaigningforlegislationtobanfraudulentandexploitativesuperstitiouspractices.HismurdercamedaysaftertheMaharashtrastategovernmentsaiditwouldintroduceananti-superstitionbill.Detailsofinvestigation:Policeareinvestigatingthecase;thePoliceCommissionerstatedhebelieveditwasacontractkilling.On2September,thepolicestatedthatsevensurveillancecamerashadcapturedfootageofthetwoassassins,andthefootagehadbeensenttoaLondon-basedforensiclabforanalysis.On9May2014,theBombayHighCourtreportedlytransferredtheinvestigationintoDabholkar’smurdertotheCentralBureauofInvestigation(CBI)afternoheadwaywasmadebyPunepolice.On27May2015,theCentralBureauofInvestigationreportedlyreleasedasketchoftwosuspectsbasedondescriptionsbyeyewitnesses.ThesketchesarereportedtodepictthemotorcycledriverandthepillionthatshotDabholkar.Update:On10June2016,CBIreportedlyarrestedamanassociatedwiththeright-winggroup,HinduJanjagrutiSamiti.Theaccusedreportedlydisputesthechargesagainsthimandclaimsthatthewitnessthatnamedhimwascorrupt.

RaghavendraDUBE:Profession:ownerandeditorofKhushbooUjala,alocalweeklynewspaperinMumbai.Dateofdeath:17July2015Detailsofdeath:Dube’sbodywasreportedlyfoundnearapolicestationinMumbai,justhalfanhourafterheleftthestation,wherehehadbeenhelpingapoliceinvestigationintoanattackontwootherjournalists.Hewasbeatenandstabbedtodeath.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtoreports,Dubeyoftenhelpedpolicebyinformingthemaboutbarsthatwereoperatingillegally.Onthisoccasion,hewasreportedtobeinformingabouttheattacksthattookplacetheeveningbeforeonjournalistsShantoshMishraandShashiSharma,whowereattackedbyabar’semployeesforphotographingitsowner.

NemiChandJAIN:Profession:journalistfortheHindidailiesHariBhoomi,NayiDuniyaandDainikBhaskarDateanddetailsofdeath:JainwasfounddeadnearTongapal,Chhattisgarth,centralIndia,on13February2013.Jain,aged43,wasfoundwithanotewhichsaidthathewasapoliceinformer.Somecolleaguesbelievethatalocalgangcouldberesponsibleforthejournalist'smurder,asdaysbeforehisdeath,Jainexposedmineralsmuggling.Detailsofinvestigation:Theauthoritiesareinvestigatingthecase.Accordingtoa10December2013report,45daysafterhismurder,Maoistinsurgentstookresponsibilityforhisattack.ThreemenaccusedofbeingMaoistinsurgentswerearrestedinconnectionwithhiskillinginDecember2013andJuly2014.AmanallegedtohavebeeninvolvedinthekillingwasarrestedinDecember2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

DrMalleshappaMadivalappaKALBURGI:Profession:epigraphist,formerViceChancelloroftheHampiUniversityinKamataka.Dateofbirth:28November1938Dateofdeath:30August2015Detailsofdeath:Kalburgi,aged78,diedinthehospitalafterbeingshotatcloserangebytwomenonhisdoorstep.Investigation:Aninvestigationisreportedtobeunderway.Background:Kalburgihad,throughhiswritingsandspeeches,upset

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groupswithintheLingayatcommunity,amiddle-castegroup,aswellasrightwingHindutvagroups.InJune2014,Kalburgidismissedthesanctityofreligiousidols,whichbroughtprotesterstohisdoorstep,andhewasplacedunderpolicedetention.Awards:SahityaAkademiAwardPENAction:PENStatement,PENWriters’StatementofSolidarity:81stPENInternationalCongress,QuebecCity.

SandeepKOTHARI:Profession:journalistfortheHindidailynewspaperNayiDuniyaDateofdeath:19June2015Detailsofdeath:Kothari(40)wasreportedlyabductedfromhishomestateofMadyaPradesh,chokedandsetonfire.HisbodywasdiscoveredintheneighbouringdistrictofMaharashtrathefollowingevening.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtonewsreports,Kothariwastargetedbecauseofhiswritingaboutillegalminingintheareaandforrefusingtowithdrawacourtcasehefiledagainstindividualsinvolvedintheminingracket.PolicearrestedthreemenafewdaysafterKothari’sdeath;theyweresuspectedtobeinvolvedinillegalmining.Accordingtoreports,atotalofsevenpersonsallegedlyinvolvedinthecrimehavebeenarrested.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENAction:23June2015Statement

MithileshPANDEY:Profession:journalistfortheonlineHindinewspaperDainikJagranDateofdeath:24October2015Detailsofdeath:Pandey(40)wasshotbyagroupofmaskedintruderswhilehewassleepinginsidehishouseinBihar.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Accordingtoreports,Pandeyhadreceiveddeaththreatsandhehadapproachedthepoliceonseveraloccasionsregardingtheissue.

SaiREDDY:Profession:reporterforthedailyHindi-languagenewspaperDeshbandhuDateanddetailsofdeath:Reddy,aged51,wasbeatenandstabbedtodeathinBasaguda,Chhattisgarh,on6December2013.AgroupofMaoistrebelsaresuspectedofcarryingouttheattackatamarketnearReddy’shome.Hesustainedsevereheadandneckinjuries,anddiedonhiswaytohospital.Detailsofinvestigation:Noonehasbeenbroughttojusticeforthemurderasof30June2016.Background:Reddycoveredlocalissuessuchashealth,education,watersupply,fooddistributionandcorruption,oftencriticisingthegovernment,Maoistinsurgentsandthesecurityforces.Accordingtoreports,ReddyhadbeentargetedinthepastbyboththeauthoritiesandMaoistsinconnectionwithhisinvestigativereportingoftheNaxalite(Maoist)insurrection.InMarch2008,hewasarrestedforhissupposedlinkswithMaoists–hewaslaterreleasedonbail–whiletheMaoistsreportedlyaccusedhimofhavinglinkswiththesecurityforces,setfiretohishomeandthreatenedtokillhim.ReddyfledChhattisgarhandonlyreturnedafterheapologisedtotheMaoists.

RakeshSHARMA:Profession:seniorreporterfortheHindi-languagedailynewspaperDainikAajDateanddetailsofdeath:23August2013.HewasshotdeadinEtawah,inthenorthernstateofUttaPradesh,byfiveassailantsonamotorcycle.Accordingtoreports,Sharma,aged50,hadlefthishomeafterreceivingacallfromanunknownnumber.Hereportedlysustainedseveralgunshotwounds.Localjournalistssuspecttheinvolvementofalocalgamblingmafiainhismurder,inresponsetoanarticlepublishedbySharmacriticalofillegalgamblingoperations.Detailsofinvestigation:Nooneisknowntohavebeenbroughttojusticeforhiskillingasof30June2016.

JagendraSINGH:Profession:freelancejournalistDateofdeath:8June2015Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,SinghdiedfrominjuriessustainedfollowingapoliceraidonhishomeinUttarPradeshon1June2015.Conflictingaccountsoftheeventsoftheraidsuggestthatthesixpoliceofficers–includingtwoincivilianclothing–questionedhimregardingFacebookpostshehadmade.Singhsustainedburnstomorethan50percentofhisbodyanddiedofhisinjurieson8June.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtoreports,Singhgaveastatementtoamagistratebeforedyingon8June,in

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whichheclaimedthatapoliceofficerhadbeatenhim,dousedhiminpetrolandsethimalight.Singh’ssonisreportedtohavefiledapolicecomplaintagainsttwoofthosehisfathernamed.OthershavesuggestedthatSinghkilledhimselfwhenthepoliceraidedhishome,newssourcesindicate.Background:SinghwasafreelancejournalistwhoreportedcriticallyonpoliticsandcurrentaffairsinHindi-languagenewspapersandonFacebook.Accordingtothejournalist’sson,SinghhadpreviouslybeenattackedafterheaccusedastateministerofbeinginvolvedinillegalminingandlandseizuresinnorthernIndiainanarticlewrittenforalocalHindinewspaper,thedetailsofwhichhelatercirculatedonFacebook.Awards:PosthumouslyawardedthePressClubAwardforBraveryinJournalismbytheMumbaiPressClubinApril2016.PENAction:23June2015Statement

JitendraSINGH:Profession:reporterforthedailynewspaperTheHinduDateanddetailsofdeath:SinghwaskilledinKhuntidistrict,Jharkhandstate,on27April2013.TherearereportsthatthegroupsPeople’sLiberationFrontofIndia(PLFI),claimedresponsibilityforhiskilling.Singhalsoranalocalconstructionbusiness.Detailsofinvestigation:Theauthoritiesareinvestigatingthecase.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

Detained:maincase

SomaruNAG:Profession:journalistcoveringruralissuesforPatrikanewspaperDateofarrest:16July2015Detailsofarrest:Nagwasreportedlyarrestedbyplainclothespoliceofficersathisfamily’smobiletelephoneshopinDarbhatown.PolicearereportedtohaveaccusedNagofaidingvillagersidentifiedasMaoistorMaoist-sympathiserswhoareallegedtohavesetfiretoequipmentbeingusedtobuildroads.HehasreportedlybeenchargedundertheArmsAct,aswellasbanditry,arsonandcriminalconspiracy,Sections395,435and120BoftheIndianPenalCode,respectively.Placeofdetention:NagisthoughttobebeingheldinJagdalpurjailinChhattisgarh.[Stoppress:Nagwasreportedlyreleasedon21July2016aftertheJagdalpurcourtfoundno‘directorindirectevidence’againstNag.]

SantoshYADAV:Profession:freelancejournalistDateofarrest:29September2015Detailsofarrest:PolicereportedlyarrestedYadavinthestateofChhattisgarh.InOctober2015,Yadavwasplacedinpre-trialcustody,accordingtoreports.Detailsoftrial:Hewaschargedwithrioting,criminalconspiracy,andattemptedmurderundertheIndianpenalcode;with‘associatingwithaterroristorganisation’and‘supportingandaidingterroristgroups’undertheChhattisgarhSpecialPublicSecurityAct;andwithchargesundertheUnlawfulActivities(Prevention)Act,acounterterrorismlaw.Yadav’snextcourthearingwasscheduledtobeheldinearly2016;nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Conditionsindetention:Accordingtonewsreports,Yadavhasbeenfacingdeaththreatsinprison.Background:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,Yadavhascontributedreportsandphotographstolocalprivately-ownednewspapersincludingDainikNavbharat,Patrika,andDainikChhattisgarh.Hereportedonhumanrightsabusesbythepoliceagainsttribalcommunitiesintheregion,accordingtohislawyer.Yadavalsohelpedconnectmembersofhiscommunity,whosefamilymembersfacedarrest,tolegalaidgroups.HislawyersaidthatYadavhasbeenharassedbypoliceseveraltimesinrecentyears.AccordingtothePeople'sUnionforCivilLiberties(PUCL),anIndianhumanrightsorganisation,policehadharassedthejournalistsincetheysawhimataMay2013attackbyMaoiststhatleftdozensdead,includingthreeCongressPartyofficials.ThePUCLsaidthatpolicepresumedYadavwasaparticipantintheattackbecausehewasoneofthefirstreporterstoarriveatthescene.In2014,policesummonedYadavtothepolicestation,wheretheystrippedhimandheldhimforseveralhours,accordingtohislawyer.InAugust2014,policefiledacaseagainstYadav,accusinghimofharassingawoman,whichthejournalist'sfamilyandcolleaguessaidwasafalseallegation.Yadav'swife,Poonam,toldTheHinduthatpolicehadthreatenedtokillherhusbandin2014.InlateAugust2015,aboutamonthbeforeYadavwasarrested,policearrestedatleastfivemenfromBhadrimahu

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villageinChhattisgarhandaccusedthemofhelpingMaoistrebelscarryoutadeadlyambushinwhichapoliceofficialwaskilled,accordingtonewsreports.On29September2015,thefamiliesofthemenwenttothepolicestationtosecuretheirrelease,andYadavaccompaniedthemtocovertheincident.Hewasarrestedlaterthatday.PolicedeniedthatYadavwasarrestedforreportingonthecase.Otherinformation:PolicesaidthatYadavhadlinkstoMaoistsrebelsandthathehadparticipatedinviolencebetweenpoliceandMaoistsinthestateon21August2015,accordingtoTheHindu.

Ontrial

LingaramKODOPI:Profession:journalistfortheTehelkamagazine,basedinNewDelhiDateofarrest:9September2011Dateofrelease:14November2013Detailsofarrest:KodopiwasreportedlyarrestedbypolicefromaweeklymarketatPalnarvillageinDantewadadistrictofChhattisgarhDetailsofrelease:Hewasreportedlygrantedinterimbailon12November2013andreleasedtwodayslater.TheIndianSupremeCourthaveforbiddenKodopifromenteringChhattisgarhstateandorderedthathecheckinweeklywithalocalpolicestationinDelhi.ASupremeCourthearingonFebruary2014upheldthebailorderpendingtrial.Update:On14December2015,theSupremeCourtrelaxedthebailconditionsmeaningthathehastocheckinmonthlyinsteadofweeklyandthathedoesnothavetoaskthecourt’spermissiontoleavethelocality.Detailsoftrial:Hehasreportedlybeenchargedwithcriminalconspiracy,sedition,andwagingwaragainstthestate,accordingtotheNewDelhi-basedTehelkamagazine.Hisnextcourthearingwasscheduledfor3December2013.Hiscolleaguesbelievehisarrestislinkedtohisreportingonpoliceviolence,althoughotherreportsallegeheislinkedtoaninsurgentMaoistgroupinChhattisgarth.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:HeisthenephewoftribalactivistSoniSoriwhowasalsoarrestedandheldforovertwoyears,duringwhichtimeshesaysshewastorturedandpressuredtosaythatKodopiworkedforMaoists.

DevidasRamachandraTULJAPURKAR:Profession:poetandeditorofBulletin,thein-housemagazineoftheAllIndiaBankAssociationUnionDetailsoftrial:On14May2015,theSupremeCourtofIndiadismissedapleafromTuljapurkaragainstchargeshehadbrokenSection292oftheIndianPenalCode(IPC)(obscenity)followingahearingon16April.Initsruling,theSupremeCourtupheldanearlierverdictreachedbyBombayHighCourtin2010.Thecourtruledthattherighttofreedomofspeechisimportantbutnotabsoluteanddoesnotgivelibertytooffendwhereahistoricallyreveredfigureisconcerned.Thejudgeconsideredthepoemtobeoffensiveaccordingto‘contemporarycommunitystandards.’Thesamechargeswerereportedlybroughtagainsttheprinterandpublisherbutdroppedaftertheytenderedunconditionalapologies.Background:ThechargeswerebroughtbytheStateofMaharashtraregardingapoem‘GandhiMalaBhetala’(ImetGandhi)publishedintheJuly-August1994issueofBulletinmagazine,inwhichoffensivewordsareattributedtoGandhi.BreakingSection292oftheIPCcarriesamaximumtwo-yearprisontermandfineforfirsttimeoffenders;afive-yearprisontermandafineisapplicableforrepeatoffenders.Article19,Part3oftheIndianConstitutionprotectstherighttofreedomofspeechandexpressionforallcitizensbutnotifitcontradictsanylawsupholdingdecencyormorality.TheSupremeCourt’srulingnowmeansthatwordsthatwouldotherwisenotbedeemedobscene,whenplacedinthefictionalizedmouthsof‘historicallyrespectedpersonalities’maybedeemedobscene.Thecourtdidnotprovideadefinitionfor‘historicallyrespectedpersonalities’.

Briefdetention

*PushpSHARMA:Profession:ajournalistforTheMilliGazette,abiweeklyEnglish-languagepublicationaimedatIndianMuslimsDateofarrest:14May2016Dateofrelease:24May2016Detailsofarrest:Sharmawas

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reportedlyarrestedinDelhiunderSections153A(promotinghatredamongcommunities),468(forgeryforpurposeofcheating)and466(forgeryofrecordofcourtorofpublicregister)oftheIndianPenalCode(IPC)onsuspicionthathehadfalsifieddocumentsreferredtoina11MarchreportinwhichheallegedthatthegovernmenthaddiscriminatedagainstMuslimsinitsselectionofyogatrainers.SharmadeniesthechargesandstoodbyhisreportinanarticlepublishedinTheMilliGazette.Sharma’sapplicationforbailwasreportedlyrejectedon16Mayandhisdetentionextendedfortwoweeks.Detailsofrelease:Sharmawasreportedlyreleasedonbailon24May2016.Background:InMarch2016,policereportedlychargedTheMilliGazettewith‘promotinghatredamongcommunities,’underarticle153AoftheIPC,andwithforgeryleadingSharmatoseekanticipatorybail,accordingtopressreports.

*DeepakJAISWAL:Profession:journalistfortheHindidailynewspaperDainikDaindiniDateofarrest:26March2016Dateofrelease:26June2016Detailsofarrest:ChhattisgarhpolicereportedlyarrestedJaiswalinconnectionwithacaseregisteredagainsthimandfellowjournalistPrabhatSingh(seebelow)sevenmonthspreviously.Hehasnotyetbeenformallycharged.Detailsofrelease:Jaiswalwasreportedlyreleasedonbailon26June2016.Background:JaiswalandSingharereportedtohavewrittenareportinMarch2015inwhichtheyclaimedthatteachersataschoolinGeedamwereaidingtheirstudentstocheatintheirexaminations.Theystandaccusedoftrespassing,obstructingapublicservantfromdischargingtheirdutyandassaultingapublicservant.Thecomplaintfiledclaimedthatthetwomenhadenteredtheschoolwithouttheprincipal’spermission.

*PrabhatSINGH:Profession:journalistwithPatrikanewspaperDateofarrest:21March2016Dateofrelease:26June2016Detailsofarrest:Singhwasreportedlyarrestedbypolicemeninplainclotheson21March2016.Detailsofrelease:Singhwasreportedlyreleasedonbailon26June2016.Detailsoftrial:SinghwasreportedlyproducedbeforeaJagdalpurcourton21MarchandchargedunderSection297oftheIndianPenalCodeandSection67oftheInformationTechnologyActinconnectionwithcommentsmadeonsocialmedia.AnotherjournalistisalsoallegedtohavefiledacomplaintagainsthimrelatingtothesameWhatsAppchat.Background:Singhreportedlystandsaccusedof‘makingconfrontationalcomments’againstalocalgroupSamajikEktaManchinaWhatsAppmessage,andcirculatingobscenematerial.Accordingtoreports,on1March2016,SinghhadsentawrittencomplainttoDantewadapoliceagainstthemembersofSamajikEktaManch.Intheletter,SinghsaidthatmembersoftheSamajikEktaManchhadcalledhim‘anti-national’onagroupchatonthemessagingserviceWhatsApp,defaminghimamongthejournalistcommunityinBastar.Bothjournalistsandmembersofthevigilantegroupwerepartofthechat.Singh'scomplaintwasacceptedbythepoliceon6March.Singhisalsoreportedtobefacingothercasesofforgeryandcheating.HefacesacourtcasealongwithDeepakJaiswal(seebriefdetentionabove).

Attacked

*MaliniSUBRAMANIAN:(f)Profession:contributortotheindependent,onlinenewswebsitescroll.inDateofattack:7February2016Detailsofattack:SubramanianwasthevictimoftwoattacksonherhomeinJagdalpuron7February;some20peoplearereportedtohavesurroundedherhomeshoutingslogansanddeaththreats.ThemobisalsoreportedtohavetoldherneighboursthattheybelievehertobeasupporterofMaoistgroups,andencouragedthemtothrowstonesatherhome.Intheearlyhoursofthefollowingmorning,unknownassailantsthrewstonesatherhome,breakingthewindowsofhercar.SubramaniansubsequentlyfledBastarfearingforhersafetyandthatofherfamily.On11February,theSamajikEktamanchreportedlycalledforSubramaniam’sarrestinresponsetoherstatementsaboutthegroup.SubramanianreportedlyleftChhattisgarhon18February2016afterpolicepersuadedthelandlordtoserveherwithanevictionnotice.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingto

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reports,SubramaniamwasabletoidentifytwooftheassailantsasmembersoftheSamajikEktaManch–aJagdalpur-basedforumformedtocounterNaxalism(supportforMaoistgroups)inBastar–whohadvisitedherhomeinJanuary2016andhadquestionedheraboutherworkinathreateningmanner.Subramaniam’swrittencomplaintwasfiledwithpoliceon8February,althoughtheydidnotfileaFirstInformationReport(FIR),(anecessarystageinthejudicialprocessandrequiredtoberegisteredbyaconstitutionalbenchoftheSupremeCourt)until10February,afterprotestsfromwomen’sandmediaorganisations.Background:BetweenOctober2015andJanuary2016shereportedontheallegedtortureofjournalists,allegationsofsexualviolencecommittedbythesecurityforcesinBijapur,andonallegedhumantraffickinginBastar.Accordingtonewsreports,Subramaniamhasbeenthevictimofharassmentonthepartofthelocalpolicewho,sinceJanuary2016,havemadeseveralvisitstoherhometoquestionheraboutthenatureofherwork.Scroll.inwrotetothepolicetoprotestaboutatleastoneofthevisits.Subramaniam’shome,Jagdalpur,istheadministrativeheadquartersofthesouthernBastardistrictinChhattisgarhprovince.Bastar,alongwiththedistrictsofBijapur,SukmaandDantewadalieintheheartoftheMaoistrebellion.PENAction:12February2016Statement;JointstatementbyPENAll-IndiaandDelhiPEN

Threatened

*TeestaSETALVAD:(f)Profession:journalistandrightsadvocateDateofthreat:12March2016Detailsofthreats:On12March,OZY–anonlinemagazine–re-publishedaprofileofSetalvad.Followingitspublication,severalthreateningmessageswerewritteninthecommentssection,labellingher‘anti-national’andcallingforhertobekilledorraped.Background:SetalvadisthesecretaryofCitizensforJusticeandPeace(CJP),anorganisationformedtofightforjusticeforthevictimsofcommunalviolenceinthestateofGujaratin2002,currentlyseekingacriminaltrialofIndianPrimeMinisterNarendraModiforhisallegedinvolvementinincitingtheviolencethattookplace.Setalvadhasfacedharassmentforherrightsadvocacy.

Harassed

*BelaBHATIA:(f)Profession:Chhattisgarh-basedresearcherandwriterDateofharassment:26March2016Detailsofharassment:Bhatiahasreportedlyfacedintimidationattemptsatthehandsofpoliceandtheirsupporters,includingtheSamajikEktaManch.Accordingtoreports,acrowdofalmostonehundredpeoplemarchedthroughthevillageofParpa–whereBhatiaresides–shoutingslogansagainsther,circulatingpamphletslabellinghera‘Maoist’anddemandingthesheleaveBastar.Background:Bhatiahaswrittenabouthuman-rightsviolationsinIndianmediaoutlets.InFebruary,shewroteadetailedpieceinOutlookmagazineexposingallegedrapesandassaultsbypoliceandsecurityforcesonindigenouspeopleinBastar--allegationsthattheyhavedenied.Theintimidationcomesduringaperiodofincreasedharassmentofjournalistsinthestate.

PerumalMURUGAN:Profession:novelistandprofessorDateofharassment:12January2015Detailsofharassment:Tamil-languagewriterMuruganpublicallyannouncedhisretirementfromwritinginaFacebookpostfollowinga‘peacemeeting’withseveralorganisationsregardinghis2010bookMadhorubagan.AccordingtoreportsthemeetinginNamakkalintheauthor’shomestateofTamilNaduwasattendedbyseveralregionalcasteandreligiousgroupsdemandingthatMuruganissueanunconditionalapology,expurgatethebook,recallanyunsoldcopies,andrefrainfromwritingoncontroversialorsensitivesubjects.TheFacebookpostalsoaskedhispublisherstoceasesaleofanyworks,urgedthoseowningcopiestoburnthem,toldliteraryfestivalstonotcontacthim,andrequestedthatcasteandreligiousoutfitsdesistfromtheirprotests.Background:Murugan’sbookMadhoubaganfeaturesacontroversialscenewithafictitious,extramaritalsexritualwithmembersoftheGoundercommunityatalocalHindushrine.Therehavebeenreportsofacampaignagainst

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thewriterincludingabookburningandcallsforabanonthenovelandthearrestofitsauthorandpublisher.

*AlokPrakashPUTUL:Profession:journalistforBBC’sHindiServiceDateofharassment:20February2016Detailsofharassment:AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,PutulfledBastar,Chhattisgarh,afterresidentswarnedhimabouthissafety.Background:PutulwasreportingonallegedpoliceviolenceinBastar,includingtherecentharassmentofMaliniSubramaniam(see‘Attacked’above)priortoreceivingwarningsfromseveralindividualsthatpeopleweresearchingforhim.

Caseclosed

S.NageshKUMAR:Profession:editoroftheEnglish-languagenewspaperTheHinduDetailsoftrial:reportedlyfacescriminalproceedingsfollowingthe13September2013publicationofareportonameetingbetweentheDirector-GeneralofthePoliceinAndhraPradeshandtheheadofaspiritualcultbasedinHyderabad.Thecomplaintallegesintenttobringthepoliceforceintodisrepute.Kumarsucceededinsecuringbail,providinghimwithprovisionalimmunityagainstarrest.Caseclosed:CaseclosedduetolackofinformationJune2016.

INDONESIA

Killed:impunityBeniFAISAL:Profession:chiefeditorofFokusLampungweeklyDateofdeath:27January2015Detailsofdeath:Faisal,aged42,wasreportedlyshotdeadinLampung,Sumatra,bythreeassailantswhotriedtostealFaisal’smotorbike.Thejournalistconfrontedthemwithamacheteandaspearbuthewasshotinthechest,andthekillersimmediatelyfled.Detailsofinvestigation:Policedetainedthreemenon30January2015fortheirallegedinvolvementonthekillingofBeniFaisal.Reportedly,policeshotafourthmanwhoresistedarrest,alsolinkedtoFaisal’sassassination.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:FokusLampungisknownforbeingcriticalofthegovernmentandinstitutions.

Harassed

*ArdiBAYAGE:Profession:journalistforsuarapapua.comnewswebsiteDateofharassment:2May2016Detailsofharassment:BayagewasreportedlyamongseveraljournalistsarrestedasheattemptedtocoverapeacefuldemonstrationinsupportoftheUnitedLiberationMovementofWestPapua–anorganisationcampaigningfortheself-determinationofWestPapua.Bayagewasarresteddespiteshowinghispresscredentialstothepolice.Theauthoritiesarereportedtohaveaccusedhimoflying,andbreakinghismobiletelephonebeforedetaininghimforseveralhours.Background:WestPapua,aprovinceofIndonesialocatedontheIslandofNewGuinea,hasbeenexperiencingalow-levelconflictbetweentheIndonesiangovernmentandportionsoftheindigenouspopulationsincetheterritorypassedintoIndonesianterritoryinthe1960s.TheWestPapuanauthoritiesarereportedtocensorallreporterscoveringPapuanseparatistmovements,discriminationandhumanrightsviolations.

*FebrianaFIRDAUS:(f)Profession:reporterforrappler.comDateofharassment:2June2016Detailsofharassment:Firdausisreportedtohavegoneintohiding,fearingforherlife,afterreceivingthreatswhileshe

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attemptedtocovertheseconddayofagatheringinJakartaofthoseopposedtogovernment-backedeffortstoofficiallyacknowledgethecountry’s1965anti-communistmassacre.MediareportsindicatethatamobtargetedFirdausassheinterviewedmembersoftheIndonesianCatholicStudentsAssociation(PMKRI),threateningher.Shewasbannedfromthegathering.Aftertheincident,shebecamethetargetofabuseandviolentthreatsonsocialmediawhereusersreportedlylabelledherasa‘fakeIslamist’andacommunistsympathiser–akintolabellingheratraitor.FirdauswentintohidingwiththeassistanceoftheAllianceofIndependentJournalists.Background:Overthecourseoflittlemorethanfivemonths,fromlate1965toearly1966,anti-communistIndonesianskilledanestimated500,000oftheirfellowcitizens.TheofficialnarrativehaslongtreatedthosekillingsasajustifiedandheroicresponseagainstanIndonesianCommunistPartyplottooverthrowthegovernment,whichbeganwiththemurderofsixarmygeneralson30September1965.TensionsrelatedtothemassacrehaverecentlyrisenasIndonesiancivilsocietyorganisationshaveledeffortstoacknowledgethekillings.Thegatheringson1and2June2016cameinresponsetoreconciliationstalksbackedbytheindependentNationalCommissiononHumanRightsheldon18April2016.ThetalksrepresentedthefirsttimeIndonesiahadheldanopendiscussionabouttheincidentsthattookplace.LAOS

Imprisoned:maincase

BOUNTHANHKhammavong(Polishnational):Profession:activistSentence:fouryearsandninemonthsinprisonDateofarrest:June2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,BounthanhwasarrestedinJuneandchargedwith‘disseminatingpropagandaagainstthegovernmentwiththeintentionofunderminingthestate’underArticle65ofthepenalcodeafterpolicefoundevidenceconnectinghimtoaFacebookpostduringasearchofhishomeinthecapitalVientiane.Detailsoftrial:On18September2015,theVientianeSupremeCourtfoundBounthanhguiltyandsentencedhimtofouryearsandninemonthsinjail,accordingtoareportbytheMinistryofPublicSecurity,inatelevisedtrial.ThereportdidnotprovidethedetailsofthemessageBouthanhhadposted.Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoRadioFreeAsia,Bounthanhwasnotgivenaccesstoalawyerorrepresentedbyoneduringthetrial.Background:BounthanhwasreportedlyforcedintoexilefromLaosduetoitsdemocracyactivismandbecameacitizenofPoland,wherehefoundedtheOrganizationofLaoStudentsforIndependenceandDemocracy.HerelocatedtoLaosin2010afterreceivingassurancesfromLaoofficialsthathewouldnotfacearrestonhisreturn.Otherinformation:On8October2015Bounthanh’swife,wholivesinPoland,askedPoland’sjusticeministrytorequesttheLaogovernmenttotransferherhusbandtoadetentioncentreinhishomecountry.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

MALAYSIA

Ontrial

Yusufal-SiddiqueSURATMAN(aliasMilosuam):Profession:bloggerSentence:TwoyearsinprisonDetailsoftrial:On19January2015,SuratnamreceivedthemaximumprisonsentenceunderSection505(b)ofthePenalCodeforapostonhisblogfromMarch2013,duringtheLahadDatucrisisinSabah,claimingtorevealaleakedpolicememowhichmentionsthepossibilityof1,500foreignerspotentiallycausingchaosinSabah.SuratmanisthoughttobeappealingtotheHighCourt.Update:On19February2016,theHighCourtrejectedhisappealandconfirmedhisconvictionandsentence.AstayofexecutionwasgrantedpendingafurtherappealtotheCourtofAppeal.Background:Suratnamwasreportedlyafirst-timeoffenderwithnopriorrecord.Section505(b)makesitanoffencetopublishorcirculateanystatement,rumour,orreportwiththe

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intenttocause,orwhichislikelytocausefearoralarmtothepublic.TheLahadDatucrisisinvolvedaninvasionineasternMalaysiawhichbeganon12February2013andlastedonemonth.Some200troops,reportedlybelongingtoanarmedgroupfromsouthernPhilippines,landedatKampungTanduo,Sabah,setupcampandstakedtheirclaimonSabah.Therewerediscussionsbackandforth,althoughtheturningpointwasseentobeon2March2013whensixpoliceofficerswerekilledinanambush.ThreedayslateritwasreportedthatMalaysiadeployedfighterjetstoendthestandoff.

ZulkifliAnwarULHAQUE(akaZUNAR):Profession:cartoonistandwriterDateofarrest:10February2015Dateofrelease:14February2015Detailsofarrest:Zunarwasreportedlydetainedforfourdaysduringaninvestigationintoatweet.Detailsoftrial:ZunarwasreportedlychargedundertheSeditionActon3April2015.ThechargesarereportedlyrelatedtoatweetZunarpostedon10February2015implyingFederalCourtjudgeshadbowedtoregimepressureinconvictingandsentencingoppositionleader,AnwarIbrahim,tofiveyearsinprison.Hefacesatotalofninechargesandupto43yearsinprison.Background:Zunarhasbeeninvestigatedseveraltimesunderthe1948SeditionAct.In2014hewasarrestedfortwodayswithregardstoatweetheposted.In2012Zunarwasinvestigatedforseditionchargesinconnectionwithsomeofhispublishedwork.Between2009and2010theHomeMinisterforMalaysiareportedlybannedfiveofZunar’sbooks,andmanyofhisdrawingsarecensored.InApril2015,theMalaysiangovernmentarereportedtohavemadeamendmentstothelawinordertograntthegovernmentbroaderpowerswithrespecttoonlinemediaandstiffenpenalties.On29September2015,Zunarannouncedthatpolicehadbegunaninvestigationintohislatestbook,Sapuman–ManofSteal.Awards:CommitteetoProtectJournalists’2015InternationalPressFreedomAward;2016CartooningforPeaceAward.PENAction:Jointstatement20May2015[Stoppress:InOctober2016,Zunarwasarbitrarilybannedfromleavingthecountry.]

Released

EricPAULSEN:Profession:Lawyer,co-founderandexecutivedirectorofLawyersforLibertyDatesofarrest:(1)12January2015(2)22March2015Dateofrelease:(1)5February2015(2)23March2015Detailsofarrest:(1)Paulsenwasreportedlyarrestedbyagroupof20policeofficersinBrickfieldsinconnectionwithatweethepublishedtwodaysearlierwhichaccusedtheMalaysianIslamicDevelopmentDepartment(Jakim)ofpromotingextremismthroughitsFridaysermons.ThetweetwassubsequentlyremovedbyPaulsenwhoalsofiledapolicereportintheafternoonafterhereportedlyreceiveddeaththreatsinresponsetohistweet.HelaterclarifiedthathewasnotinsultingIslambutcriticisingJakimasagovernmentagency.Detailsofrelease:HewasreleasedonaRM2,000(approximatelyUS$470)bailpendingahearingon27April2015.(2)PaulsenwasreportedlyarrestedatDataranMerdekaundergroundandtakenforquestioningattheDangWangipoliceheadquartersforviolatingtheSeditionActafteraseriesoftweetsquestioningtheimplementationofhududlawinKelantan.Policereportedlyconfiscatedhisphone.Hewasreleasedfromdetentionthenextdayafteramagistratereportedlyrejectedthepolice’sapplicationtoremandthelawyerforfourdays.Detailsoftrial:On5February2015PaulsenwaschargedinaSessionsCourtwith‘publishingseditiouswords’onhisTwitteraccountunderSection4(1)(c)oftheSeditionAct1948.Update:On22March2016itwasreportedthatPaulsenhadsettledthecomplaintoutsideofcourt.Background:TheSeditionAct1948makesitanoffencetoexcitedisaffectionagainstthegovernmentandtopromotefeelingsofill-willandhostilitybetweendifferentracesorclassesofthepopulation.

DrAzmiSHAROM:Profession:academicfromtheUniversityofMalayaandcolumnistDetailsoftrial:On2September2014,DrSharomwaschargedunderSection4(1)(b)andSection4(1)(c)oftheSeditionAct,aftertheonlinepublicationofcommentsheallegedlymaderegardingthepoliticalcrisisofthePerakstatein2009.DrSharomchallengedtheconstitutionalityoftheSeditionAct,initiallybeforetheHighCourt,

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whichtransferredhischallengetotheFederalCourt,Malaysia’shighestjudiciary.On6October2015,theFederalCourtdismissedDrSharom’slegalchallengeandruledthattheBritish-enactedlawremainsaconstitutionalpieceoflegislation,leavingSharomfacingtrial.Update:On12February2016,SharomwasacquittedbytheSessionsCourtinKualaLumpur.

MALDIVES

Abduction:impunity

AhmedRILWANABDULLA(Twittername:Moyameehaa):Profession:investigativejournalistfortheindependentnewswebsiteMinivanNewsDateofabduction:8August2014Detailsofabduction:Rilwanwaslastseenbyhisfamilyon7August2014.Therearereportsthatthejournalistwasseenbeingforcedintoacaratknifepointoutsidehisflatatabout2amon8August.Previously,thejournalisthadpublishedanarticleaboutanumberofdeaththreatsagainstjournalistsintheregion,andagainsthimself,inwhichtheyweretoldnottoreportonlocalcriminalgangs.On25September2014,theallegedleaderofoneofMaldives’gangsattackedMinivanNewsbydestroyingtheCCTVcameralocatedattheentranceofthebuildingandburyingamacheteinthefrontdoor.Detailsofinvestigation:PoliceareinvestigatingRilwan’sdisappearance;however,therehavebeensuggestionsthattheauthoritiesarenotdoingenoughtofindhim.Hisfamily,friendsandsupportershavealsosetupacampaignwebsitetoraiseawarenessofhiscase.Ithasbeenreportedthatthecamera’sfootagecapturedtheidentityoftheattacker.ThreemenwerearrestedinSeptember2014butreleasedlaterwithoutcharge.AnindependentinvestigationcommissionedbytheMaldivesDemocracyNetwork(MDN)releasedinSeptember2014implicatedradicalisedgangsinthejournalist’sdisappearance.On8July2015,thepolicereportedlypreventedanewsconferencebeingheldonthestateofRilwan’sinvestigation.Update:InApril2016,thepoliceadmittedthatRilwanhadbeenabducted,citingDNAevidencethatpreviouslytheyhadsaidwasinsufficient.Dayslater,twosuspectswerearrested.InJune,theyweretransferredfromdetentiontohousearrest.Otherinformation:ReportersWithoutBordersreferredRilwan’scasetotheUN’sworkinggrouponenforceddisappearanceson28August2015.SeveralmembersofRilwan’sfamilywerereportedlypepper-sprayedbythepoliceastheyattemptedtoorganizeasilentdemonstrationmarkingtheone-yearanniversaryofRilwan’sdisappearance.Rilwan’sfamilyandfriendscontinuetoaccusethepoliceofnegligence.

MYANMAR(BURMA)

Killed:impunity

AungKyawNAING(akaParGyi):Profession:freelancejournalistDateofdeath:4October2014Detailsofdeath:Naingwasarrestedon30September2014bytheBurmesearmywhilereportingonclashesbetweenthegovernmentforcesandtheDemocraticBuddhistKarenArmyinMonstate,attheborderwithThailand.Naing’sfamilydidnotknowabouthisarrestandtheyreportedtothemediathathehaddisappeared.Itwasalmostamonthlater,on25October2014,thattheBurmesearmyconfirmedthatthejournalisthaddiedandhadbeenburiedthreeweeksearlier.Investigation:Athisfamily’srequest,Naing’sbodywasexhumedandsentforapost-mortemexamination,astheyhadconcernsforhisdeathandhisquickburial.On5November2014,theMinistryofDefenceconfirmedthatthejournalisthadbeenshotdeadon4Octoberwhiletryingtoescapefrommilitarycustody.SomeaccountssuggestthatNaingwastorturedandshotdeadwhileinmilitarydetentionandthatthearmybelievedNaingwasamemberoftheKarengroup.On2December2014,theMyanmarNationalCommissiononHumanRights–chargedwithinvestigatingthecase–decidedthecaseshouldbereferredtoandheardinacivilcourt.Astheciviliantrialwasongoing,on11May2015itwasreportedthattwosoldiers

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implicatedinthecasewereacquittedbytheMyanmarMilitaryCourt.On23June2015,theciviliancourtclosedthecaseonNaing,determiningthathediedofagunshotwoundwhileinmilitarycustody,butfailingtofindaculprit.Update:On21March2016,acourtreportedlyrecommendedthatthecaseshouldbeclosed.TheclosureofthecasecameafewdaysbeforetheNationalLeagueforDemocracytookovergovernment.PENAction:MentionedinMarch2015submissiontotheUPRreviewofMyanmar

Judicialharassment

*SithuAungMYINT,profession:columnistforMizzimaMedia*SoeMYINT,profession:editor-in-chiefandmanagingdirectorofMizzimaMedia*MyoTHANT,profession:editor-in-chargeofMizzima’sMyamareditionDetailsofharassment:Thethreearereportedlyunderinvestigationfollowingthepublicationofacolumnonlineon31December2015,whichcriticisedarivalmediaoutlet’sreporting.IfconvictedofcommittingacrimeundertheElectronicTransactionsLaw,theyfacebetweenoneandthreeyearsinprisonandfinesofbetweenfiveand10millionKyats(approx.US$4,251andUS$8,500).Background:AseniorjournalistatElevenMediaGroupreportedlyfiledacriminalcomplaintundertheElectronicTransactionsLawoverthecolumnentitled,‘MPCoranorganisationdistortedbysomemedia,’whichreferredtoaccusationsreportedbyElevenMediaagainsttheMyanmarPeaceCenter,whichwasdissolvedinMarch2016.MizzimareportedlymaintainsthatthecolumnisnotactionableasitmerelyexpressedSithuAungMyint’sopinionanddidnotidentifyanyonebyname,thegrouphavealsostatedthatthecaseshouldfirsthavegonethroughthepresscouncil.ThecaseagainstSithuAungMyintisreportedlythetenthlegalcasefiledagainsthimbyElevenMedia.

*ThaungSuNYEIN,profession:editor-in-chiefof7DayDailynewspaper*MinHeinKYAW,profession:seniorreporterfor7DayDailynewspaperDateofharassment:June2016Detailsofharassment:On23June2016,themilitaryreportedlyfiledasuitagainstNyeinandKyawunderSection131ofMyanmar’sPenalCode.ThecasewasreportedlysettledlaterthatweekfollowingtheinterventionoftheNewsMediaCouncilandthepublicationofanapologyin7DaysDailyon28June2016.Background:On24April2016,7DayDailyreportedlypublishedanarticlewhichincludedformergeneralShweMann’smessagetograduatesoftheDefenseServicesAcademyurgingthemtoworkwiththecountry’snewly-electeddemocraticgovernment.Section131providesforasentenceof10years’imprisonmentforthecrimeofabettingorseducinganyservicemantomutinyandabandonduty.

Released

CHAWSandyTun(akaChitThami)(f):Profession:oppositionactivistSentence:sixmonthsinprisonDateofarrest:12October2015Dateofrelease:30March2016Detailsofarrest:PolicereportedlyarrestedChawon12October2015andtookhertothepolicestationinneighbouringAyeyawadyRegion’sMaubindistrict.ThereasonforherarrestwasacollageandawrittentextshepublishedonFacebook.Inthetext,shereportedlycomparedthecolourofCommander-in-Chief,MinAungHlaing,andothermilitarypersonnel’suniformstoAungSanSuuKyi’stypicalclothes.Currentplaceofdetention:MaubinjailDetailsontrial:On13October2015,ChawwaschargedunderArticle34(d)ofBurma’sElectronicTransactionsLaw,achargewhichwaslaterchangedtoSection66(d)ofthe2013TelecommunicationLaw.Inthefirstcourthearingon27October2015atMaubincourt,ChawwasnotifiedofanadditionalchargebeingbroughtagainstherunderSection500ofthePenalCode,adefamationclause.On28December2015,theMaUBintownshipcourtsentencedhertosixmonthsinprison.Accordingtohermother,EiSan,Chawwillappeal.Detailsofrelease:Chawwasreportedlyreleaseduponcompletionofhersentence.Otherinformation:ChawjoinedthelocalchapteroftheNationalLeagueforDemocracytoassistwiththeparty’scampaignaheadofgeneralelectionsheldon8November2015.PENAction:2015ResolutionontheRepublicoftheUnionofMyanmar

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HTINLinOo:Profession:writerandformerinformationofficeroftheNationalLeagueforDemocracy(NLD),Myanmar’smainoppositionparty.Sentence:Twoyearsinprison.Dateofarrest:17December2014Dateofrelease:17April2016Detailsofarrest:On23October2014,hegaveaspeechataliteraryeventinChaung-UTownship,SagaingRegioninnorthernMyanmar,criticisingtheuseofBuddhismtopromotediscriminationandprejudice.Thespeech,whichlastedaroundtwohours,washeardbyaround500people.Soonaftertheevent,a10-minuteeditedvideoofthespeechappearedonsocialmedia,causingoutrageamongsomeBuddhistgroups.Detailsoftrial:On4December2014,HtinLinOowaschargedbytheChaung-UTownshipCourt,afteracomplaintwasfiledagainsthimbytownshipofficials.Hewaschargedwith‘insultingreligion’underSection295(a)ofMyanmar’sPenalCodeandwith‘woundingreligiousfeelings’underSection298,whichimposepunishmentsofuptotwoyears’andoneyearimprisonmentrespectively.HtinLinOowasdetainedathisfirstcourthearingon17Decemberafterbeingdeniedbail.Furtherrequestsforbailwererejected.On2June2015,HtinLinOowasfoundguiltybytheChaung-UTownshipcourtunderthePenalCode’sArticle295(a)whichprohibits‘deliberateandmaliciousactsintendedtowoundreligiousfeelings’andsentencedhimtotwoyears’imprisonmentandhardlabour.Hewasreportedlyacquittedofthesecond,lesser,chargeduetoinsufficientevidence.HtinLinOoreturnedtoMonywaPrisontoservethetwo-yearsentence,lessthesixmonthsalreadyspentinremand.On2July2015,theMonywaDistrictcourtrejectedhisappealreportedlystatingthattheyshouldnotinterferewiththedecisionoftheChaung-Ucourt.Thedefendant’slawyerhaspronouncedhisintentiontopursueasecondappealtothedivisionalcourt.Detailsofrelease:HtinLinOowasreportedlyreleasedfromprisonfollowingapardongrantedbythenewlyelectedPresidentHtinKyawaspartofcelebrationsofMyanmarNewYear.PENAction:includedinupdate#1toRAN12/14

PatrickKumJaaLEE:Profession:peaceactivistSentence:SixmonthsinprisonDateofarrest:15October2015Dateofrelease:1April2016Detailsofarrest:PatrickKumJaaLeewasarrestedon15OctoberinhishomeinYangonforaFacebookpostshowingsomeonesteppingonaphotoofCommander-in-ChiefGeneralMinAungHlaing.Reportsindicatethatthecaptionabovethephotographwas‘Pleasestopsharingthispost.’Update:On22January2016,LeewasreportedlysentencedtosixmonthsinprisonunderSection66(d)ofMyanmar’s213TelecommunicationsLaw(adefamationprovision).Detailsofrelease:Leewasreleasedon1April2016,havingservedsixmonthsinprison.Healthconcerns:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,hesuffersfromanumberofmedicalconditionsandtherearefearsthatheisnotreceivingtheneededmedicalattention.Otherinformation:Lee’sphoneandcomputerwereconfiscatedandthepostwasdeleted.

MaungSAUNGKHA:Profession:poetDateofarrest:5November2015Sentence:sixmonthsinprisonDateofrelease:24May2016Detailsofarrest:Afterseveraldaysontherun,Maungwasarrestedon5November2015foraversepostedonsocialmedia.Theverseinquestion—postedonFacebookandreadingroughly,‘Ihavethepresident’sportraittattooedonmypenis/Howdisgustedmywifeis’—promptedawarningfromthePresident’sOfficedirectorto‘bepreparedtotakeresponsibility’forthepost.MaungfledhishomewhenhewasinformedthatacasehadbeenfiledagainsthimunderArticle66(d)ofBurma’sTelecommunicationsLaw,spendingnearlyamonthinhiding.Detailsoftrial:HewaschargedwithdefamationunderSection66(d)oftheTelecommunicationsLawandfacesthreeyearsinprison.On17December2015,anadditionalchargeunderSection505(b)ofthecolonial-eraPenalCodewasreportedlyaddedtotheproceedings,facingtwoadditionalyearsifconvicted.On24May2016,Maungwasconvictedofdefamationandsentencedtosixmonthsinprison.Hewasreleasedfortimeserved.Conditionsindetention:On21March2016,MaungwasrushedtoInseinHospitalafterhewasattackedbyafellowprisonerfollowinghislatesthearingatShwepyitharcourtinYangon.TheattackisreportedtofollowMaungandhissupportersrecitingversesoutsidethe

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courttomarkWorldPoetryDay.PENAction:RAN10/16–13May2016;Update1toRAN10/16–25May2016YazarSOE(alsoseenasYaZarOo),SithuSOE,LuMAWNAING,PaingTHETKYAW(akaAungThura):Profession:reportersandeditorsfortheindependentYangon-basedweeklynewsjournalUnitySentence:SevenyearsinprisonwithhardlabourDateofarrest:February2014Dateofrelease:17April2016Detailsofarrest:Thejournalistswerereportedlyarrested,alongwiththechiefexecutiveofthejournalTintSan,followingthepublicationofastorythatallegedthattheBurmesemilitarywasoperatingasecretchemicalweaponsfacilityon25January2014.Thejournalreportedlypublisheddenialsbythegovernment,butceasedpublicationshortlyafterwards.Detailsoftrial:Formalhearingsreportedlybeganon17March2014.ThejournalistswerereportedlychargedunderMyanmar’s1923StateSecretsAct,whichforbidsanyonefromenteringaprohibitedplaceforanyreason‘prejudicialtothesafetyorinterestsofthestate.’Theywerefoundguiltyandsentencedto10yearsinprisonwithhardlabouron10July2014.On2October2014,theMagwayRegionHighCourtreducedthesentencefrom10years’imprisonmenttoseven.On15May2015,theSupremeCourtrejectedtheUnityreportersandchiefexecutive’sfinalappealleavingthemnootheravenuetochallengetheirconvictioninMyanmar.Detailsofrelease:TheywerereportedlyreleasedfromprisonfollowingapardongrantedbythenewlyelectedPresidentHtinKyawaspartofcelebrationsofMyanmarNewYear.PENAction:update#1toRAN12/14–22April2016

Caseclosed

ShayamBRANGSHAWNG:Profession:humanrightscampaignerSentence:Fineof50,000kyat(aroundUS$50).Detailsoftrial:BrangShawng’s14-year-olddaughter,JaSengIng,diedon13September2012inSutNgaiYangvillage,HpakantTownship,KachinState,northernMyanmar.Accordingtoeyewitnesses,MyanmarArmysoldiersshotherdead.However,theMyanmarArmyclaimsshewaskilledbyaKachinIndependenceArmy(KIA)landmine,whichexplodedaroundthesametimeasshewasshot.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,BrangShawngsentalettertothePresidenton25September2012,callingonhimtotakeactiononthecase.Thiswasfollowedon1October2012byalettertotheMyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommission(MNHRC),inwhichBrangShawngcalledonthemtoundertakeaninvestigationintohisdaughter’sdeath.Hedidnotreceivearesponsetoeitherletter.Instead,on25February2013,hewaschargedunderArticle211ofMyanmar’sPenalCodewithmakingfalseallegationsagainsttheMyanmarArmyinhislettertotheMNHRC.ThechargesfollowacomplaintlodgedbyaMyanmarArmyMajortotheHpakantTownshippolicestation.ItisunclearhowtheMyanmarArmyaccessedBrangShawng’slettertotheMNHRC.On13February2015,BrangShawngwasreportedlysentencedbyHpakantTownshipCourtinKachinState,northernMyanmar,toeithersixmonthsindetentionora50,000kyatfine(approx.US$50)underArticle211ofthePenalCodeformaking‘falsecharges’againsttheMyanmarArmy.BrangShawngchosetopaythefineandhasbeenreleasedfromdetention,butplanstoappealtheconviction.Caseclosed:Caseclosedduetolackofinformation.NEPALBriefdetention

*KanakManiDIXIT:Profession:journalistDateofarrest:22April2016Dateofrelease:2May2016Detailsofarrest:DixitwasreportedlyarrestedinfulfilmentofasummonsissuedonbehalfoftheCommissionforthe

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InvestigationofAbuseofAuthority(CIAA),whoareleadinganinvestigationintowhetherDixitabusedhisauthorityasChairmanofSajhaYatayat–thepublictransportationbussystem–andhadamassedwealthandpropertyillegally.HisarrestcameinspiteoftheSupremeCourt’srulingthattheCIAAhadnotfolloweddueprocessinissuingthesummons.TheCIAAhasclaimedDixit’sarrestwasnecessaryashehadfailedtocooperatewiththeorganisation.Placeofdetention:GaushalapolicestationHealthconcerns:Accordingtonewsreports,Dixitwasadmittedtohospitalthedayafterhisarrest,afterhecomplainedofhighbloodpressure.Detailsofrelease:DixitwasreportedlyreleasedfollowingarulingissuedbytheSupremeCourtthatstatedthathisarrestwasillegal.TheSupremeCourtadvisedthattheycontinuetheirinvestigationwithDixitonbail,ifnecessary.Background:DixitisthefounderandeditorofHimalMedia;heispublisherofHimalandNepaliTimesmagazines.DixitalsoservesasChairmanofSajhaYatayat—thepublictransportationbussysteminNepalwhichservesKathmanduValley.InDecember2015,theCIAAsummoned29individuals,includingDixit,toappearbeforethebodyonsuspicionofhavingmadeillicitandunexplainedfinancialgains.SourcesclosetoDixitclaimthathisarrestisavendettaonthepartoftheheadoftheCommissionfortheInvestigationofAbuseofAuthority(CIAA).Karki’sappointmenttotheCIAAhadbeenwidelycriticisedbycivilsociety,includingDixit,amidallegationsofcorruption.PENAction:23April2016statement

Harassed

*RobertPENNER:(Canadiannational)Profession:softwareengineerDateofharassment:2May2016Detailsofharassment:PolicereportedlyarrestedPenneron2Mayandbroughthimbeforeimmigrationauthoritiesbeforedetaininghimovernight.Hewasreleasedafter26hoursindetention,however,hisworkingvisawasrevokedandhewasgiventwodaystoleavethecountry.Background:TherevocationofPenner’svisaislinkedtoPenner’scriticismoftheNepaligovernmentonsocialmediasitesincludingTwitter.Inrecentweeks,Pennerhadbeencriticalofthearrestofjournalist,KanakDixit(see‘Briefdetention’above).Previously,hehadcriticisedNepal's2015constitution,andthegovernment'shandlingofviolentethnicprotests.

PAKISTAN

Killed:impunity

MahmoudAhmedAFRIDI:Profession:correspondentforthenewspaperIntikhabDateofdeath:1March2013Detailsofdeath:AfridiwaskilledinBaluchistan,south-westPakistan,on1March2013.TwounknownmenapproachedAfridiwhenhewasinashop,openedfireandthejournalistdiedimmediately.Afridi,aged56,wasalsothepresidentoftheKalatPressClub.TherearereportsthattheBaluchistanLiberationArmy(BLA)claimedresponsibilityforthekilling.Detailsofinvestigation:Theauthoritiesareinvestigatingthisdeath.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

NadeemHYDER:Profession:journalistforthedailyDunyaDateofdeath:3October2014Detailsofdeath:HyderwasshotbyunidentifiedmeninHafizadad,Punjabregion.ThejournalistwasreportedlyteachingataschoolintheKalikiManiareaofHafizadad,whentwomenbargedintotheschool,shotHyderandfledthescene.Detailsofinvestigation:Thepoliceareinvestigatingthecase.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

ZafarullahJATAKProfession:correspondentfortheQuetta-based,Urdulanguagedaily,IntekhabDateofdeath:28June2015Detailsofdeath:Jatakwasreportedlykilledwhenunidentifiedgunmenenteredhishome

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inJaffarabad,Balochistanprovince,asJataksleptandopenedfire.Jatakdiedinstantlyandtheassailantsfledthescene.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtoRSF,inJuly2015,policearrestedeightindividualsinconnectionwiththecasebuthadnotestablishedthemotive.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

AhmedAliJOIYA(orJoya):Profession:journalistforvariousnewspapersandmagazinesDateofdeath:24May2013Detailsofdeath:JoiyawasshotdeadbyanunknownmaninBahawalnagardistrict,Punjabprovince.Joiya,aged25,hadbeeninvestigatingacrimestoryincoordinationwiththelocalpolice.ItissaidthatJoiyahadalreadyreceiveddeaththreatsforinvestigatingthisparticularcase.Thejournalisthadpreviouslyexposedlocalcriminalactivities.Detailsofinvestigation:Policesaidtheybelievedthemanresponsibleforthedeaththreatsmayhavebeenbehindthekilling.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

IrshadMASTOIandAbdulRasoolKHATTAK:Profession:bureauchiefofthenewsagencyOnlineInternationalNewsNetworkandtraineereporter,respectively.Dateofdeath:28August2014Detailsofdeath:MastoiandKhattakwereshotdeadbytwounidentifiedmenwhobrokeintothenewsagency’soffice,basedinQuettacity,capitalofBaluchistanprovince.Theassailantsfledthescene.Detailsofinvestigation:On1September2015,policereportedlyarrestedtwosuspectsinQuettainvolvedinthemurderofMastoiandKhattak.ThetwosuspectsarethoughttobeconnectedtotheBalochLiberationArmy.Confessionsobtainedbythepairhaveindicatedtheidentityofthesupposedmastermindbehindthemurders.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Mastoi,aged34,wasthesecretarygeneraloftheBaluchistanUnionofJournalists(BUJ).Healsocontributedtootherlocalandnationalpublications,includingTheExpress.Khattakwasinhisearly20s,andwasastudentinhisfinalyearattheJournalismfacultyoftheUniversityofBaluchistan.

ZamanMEHSUD:Profession:journalistfortheUrdunewspaperDailyUmmatandSANAnewsagencyDateofdeath:3November2015Detailsofdeath:Mehsud(38)wasshotdeadinKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa’sTankdistrictwhenunidentifiedpersonsopenedfireonhismotorbike.Mehsudwasbroughttohospital,wherehesuccumbedtohisinjuries.Lateronthesameday,theTalibanreportedlyclaimedresponsibilityforthemurder,sayingthat'wekilledhimbecausehewaswritingagainstus'.Detailsofinvestigation:DespitewidespreadcondemnationofthekillingandcallsforinvestigationsbyinternationalNGOs,PENInternationalisunawareofanyinvestigationhavingbeenlaunched.Background:MehsudwasalsoreportedtobethedistrictcoordinatoroftheHumanRightsCommissionofPakistaninTank,aswellasthepresidentandsecretary-generaloftheTribalUnionofJournalists'SouthWaziristanchapter.

MalikMUMTAZ:Profession:journalistforthedailyNewsInternationalDateofdeath:27February2013Detailsofdeath:Mumtazwasshotdeadbyunidentifiedmeninacar,whiledrivingtohishomeinMiranShah,NorthWaziristan.Aged48,Mumtaz,workedforover20yearsformediaoutletsinUrduandEnglish.Beforehisdeath,MumtazhadwrittenarticlesaboutviolenceinNorthWaziristanandonthepoliovaccinationprogramme,acontroversialtopicinPakistan.Hehadrecentlybeenelectedpresidentoftheregionalpressassociation.Detailsofinvestigation:Nooneknowntohavebeenbroughttojusticeasof30June2016.

HajiAbdulRAZZAK:Profession:reporterfortheBalochi-languagedailynewspaperTawarDateofdeath:unknownDetailsofdeath:FounddeadinKarachion21August2013.Missingsince24March,Razzakwasreportedlytorturedtodeath.Accordingtoreports,hisbodywassobadlymutilatedthatonlyhisarmsandlegsweresufficientlyintacttoenableidentification.Razzakwasreportedlyfoundalongside

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thatofanother,asofyetunidentified,mutilatedbody.Thirteendaysafterhisdisappearance,Tawar’ssingle-roomofficewasburned,andthecomputerstakenaway.ThepaperfrequentlyreportedonhumanrightsabusesagainsttheBalochpopulationandseveralmoreofitsreportershavebeenkilledinpreviousyears,suchasJavedNaseerRindin2011.Detailsofinvestigation:Nooneknowntohavebeenbroughttojusticeasof30June2016.

YaqoobSHEHZADAMAR:Professional:journalistforthenewspapersExpressNewsandDailyExpressDateofdeath:5October2014Detailsofdeath:ShehzadAmarwasatanofficeinHafizbabad,Punjabprovince,whenfourunknownmenonamotorcycleapproachedhimandopenedindiscriminatefire.HewasalsothepresidentoftheHafizbabadPressClub.Detailsofinvestigation:Thepoliceopenedaninvestigationbutnoonewasknowntohavebeenbroughttojusticebytheendoftheyear.Shezad’shousehadbeenattackedsomemonthsearlier.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

AbrarTANOLI:Profession:GeneralSecretaryofMansehraPressClub,photographerforReutersandreporterforDailyMahsibandDailyShamalnewspapers.Dateofdeath:3March2014Detailsofdeath:TanoliwasreportedlyshotintheneckbyunidentifiedgunmenwhiletravellingwithhisfamilyinMamsehraon2March2014.Hediedthefollowingday.Detailsofinvestigation:Nooneknowntohavebeenbroughttojusticeasof30June2016.Background:Tanolihadreportedlyreceivedthreatsforhisreportingandhadrecentlybeenprovidedwithpoliceprotectionforatwo-monthperiod.InJanuary2013Tanoliwasreportedlyarrestedandreleasedonbailinacaseofmurderoftwostudents,whosefamilyhadpubliclythreatenedhimwithrevenge.

OnTrialMumtazMEMON,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperSindhNiazMEMON,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperSindhYousufJANI,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperKoshishDirMuradMARI,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperKoshishShankarKUMAR,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperHilalePakistanMeharrudinMARI,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperHilalePakistanShafqatPINYARO,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperSindhExpressNewsAacharAZEEM,profession:journalistforthedailynewspaperTameereSindhDetailsoftrial:PoliceinthetownofBadininPakistan’ssouthernSindhprovincehavereportedlybroughtcriminalcasesagainstthejournalistsfortheircoverageoftheactivitiesofDrZulfiqarMirza,adissidentpoliticianandformermemberofthePakistanPeople’sParty(PPP),therulingpartyinSindhprovinceinJune2015,alongwithMurtazaMemon,areporteratNeoTV,andHajiKhanLashari,amemberoftheTalkharPressClub.Detailsoftrial:MeharrudinMariandMurtazaMemon,alongwithHajiKhanLashari,werelaterchargedundertheAnti-TerrorismAct(ATA).Theothersarealsofacingunspecifiedcriminalcharges.AlljournalistsarereportedlysuspectedbypolicetobesupportingMirza,andtherearereportsthatthesejournalistshavereceivedamessagethattheirnamescouldberemovedfromthecaseiftheysubmitawrittenapologyfortheircoverageofMirzaandpromisenottoreportonhisactivitiesinthefuture.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Moreinformation:JournalistsandPressClubsintheprovincehavebeendemonstratinginprotestoftheallegationsagainsttheseeightjournalists,andhavedemandedthegovernmentformajudicialcommissiontoinvestigatetheactionsofthepolice.

Harassed

*SalmanMASOOD:Profession:correspondentfortheNewYorkTimesDateofharassment:12January2016Detailsof

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harassment:RangersreportedlysearchedMasood’shomeinIslamabadwithoutawarrant.Theindividualswerereportedlyconductingaterroristsearchoperation.

Released

NasrumMINALLAHProfession:correspondentofExpressTribuneDateofdisappearance:31March2015Dateofrelease:6April2015Detailsofdisappearance:SecurityforcesreportedlyinterceptedNasrumMinallahalongwithhisfather,correspondentforDailyDawnnewspaper,andfourotherjournalistsatKajoricheckpostinNorthWaziristanAgency(NWA)nearthePakistan-Afghanborderon31March2015wheretheywereaskedtoprovideproofofidentity.Havingascertainedtheiridentities,thesecurityforcesreportedlyletthemgo,onlytostopthem4to5kilometreslateratwhichpointtheyweretakentoanunknownlocationanddetainedforabout10hours.Minallahwasreportedlykeptinaseparateroom.Later,NasrumMinallah’sfatherandthefourotherjournalistswerereleased.Update:AccordingtotheFreedomNetworkAnnualReport2015,Minallahwasreleasedaftersixdays.Noreasonwasgivenforhisdetention.Background:HajiPazirGul,Minallah’sfather,statedthattheirgroupwasgoingtocoverastoryoninternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs)whenthisincidentoccurred.

Caseclosed

AyubKHATTAK:Profession:reporterforKarakTimesnewspaperDateofdeath:11October2013Detailsofdeath:KhattakwasshotdeadbytwomenonamotorcycleoutsidehishomeinKarakdistrict,KhyberPakhtunkhwaprovince,on11October2013.Thejournalist,aged42,hadreceivedanumberofthreatspreviouslyrelatedtohisinvestigationintoanallegedincreaseindrugdealingintheWranaMirHassankhelneighbourhood.Khattakhadrecentlypublishedastoryonthesaleofillegaldrugsanddrugdealing.Detailsofinvestigation:AccordingtoMay2015reports,twosuspects–brotherssuspectedofbeinginvolvedindrugdealing–hadbeenarrested.Update:OneofthebrotherswasreportedlyconvictedofKhattak’smurderon17March2016andsentencedtolifeimprisonmentandafine.Hissiblingwasreportedlyacquittedduetolackofevidence.CaseclosedinJune2016.

PHILIPPINES

On30June2016,RodrigoDutertewasinauguratedasPresidentofthePhilippinesfollowingalandslidevictoryinMay2016,inwhichDuterteranonaplatformpromisingacrackdownoncrime.Hiscallstoendcrime–inparticulardrug-relatedcrime–withinsixmonthsbykillingthoseinvolvedhasbeentakenupwithzeal,withanestimated1,900individualssuspectedofdrugoffenceskilledinthefirstsevenweeksofhispresidency,accordingtonewsreports.

Inacountrywhereimpunityforcrimesagainstjournalistsprevails,Duterte’srecentassertionshaveraisedconcernsforfreedomofexpressionandtheprotectionofjournalists.Shortlybeforehisinauguration,Duterteidentifiedcorruptjournalistsaslegitimatetargetsforassassinationunderhisnewregime,joiningmurderers,rapists,drugdealersanddrugaddictswhodeservethesamefate.Hehasalsostatesthat‘mostofthosekilled,tobefrank,havedonesomething.Youwon’tbekilledifyoudon’tdoanything’inreferencetothehighmortalityofjournalistsinhiscountry.ThePresidenthasalsostatedthatfreedomofexpressionprovisionsenshrinedintheconstitutionwouldnotnecessarilyprotectapersonfromviolentrepercussionsfordefamation,whichremainsacriminaloffenceinthecountry.Duterte’schoiceofspokespersonhasalsoangeredjournalistsinthe

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Philippines.SalvadorPanelo,appointedtotheposition,wasthedefenselawyerfortheAmpatuanfamilywhoareaccusedofkillingover50peoplein2009,32ofwhichwerejournalists.

Killed:motiveunknown

*AlexBALCOBA:Profession:reporterandcolumnistoftheweeklytabloidnewspaperPeople'sBrigadaandanofficialoftheManilaPoliceDistrictPressCorpsDateofdeath:27May2016Detailsofdeath:Balcoba(56)wasreportedlyshotdeadby–asyetunidentified–assailantsoutsidehisfamily-ownedwatchrepairshopinQuiapodistrict,Manila.ThegunmanisreportedtohaveshotBalcobaintheheadbeforefleeingthesceneonamotorcyclewithhisaccomplice.BalcobawaspronounceddeadonarrivalatJoseReyesMedicalCenter.Detailsofinvestigation:ataskforcehasbeencreatedtoinvestigateBalcoba'skilling,accordingtonewsreports.Theinvestigatorsarecurrentlycorroboratingdifferentaccountsfromwitnessestoidentifythegunman.Whilethepolicehaveyettodeterminethemotiveforthekilling,theysaidthatitmightbebusiness-related.However,thepolicehavenotdismissedthepossibilitythatthereporter'skillingwasbecauseofhiswork.Background:BalcobawasreportedlyanofficerofManilaPoliceDistrictPressCorps,coveringthepolicebeatinManila.Reportsindicatethathehadrecentlybeenreceivingdeaththreats.HismurdercameonedayafterthePhilippinesCongressofficiallydeclaredRodrigoDutertethenextpresident.

Killed:impunity

VergelBICO:Profession:publisherandeditorofthenewspaperKalahiDateofbirth:1972Dateofdeath:4September2013Detailsofdeath:hewasreportedlyshotdeadon4September2013inCalapanCity,Mindoro.Thejournalist,aged41,wasreportedlytravellingonamotorcyclewhenhewasshottwiceintheheadbytwounidentifiedmenalsoonamotorcycle.Detailsofinvestigation:Policearereportedtosuspectapersonalgrudgeasamotive,althoughtheyhavenotruledoutthepossibilitythatitwasrelatedtohiswork.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:BicohadreportedlypreviouslyreceivedthreatsfromthesubjectsofhiscolumnsinBanderaPilipino,thelastofwhichwaspublishedinDecember2012,whereheoftenwroteonillegalgambling.

RubylitaGARCIA(f):Profession:reporterforthetabloidnewspaperRemateinBacoorCity,CaviteprovinceDateofdeath:6April2014Detailsofdeath:Garcia,aged52,wasreportedlyshotatleastfourtimesbytwoindividualswhoenteredherhomewithnoattemptatconcealment.Herassailantsfledthesceneonamotorcycle.Garciawasreportedlytakentohospital,whereshediedofherinjuriesafewhourslater.ShortlybeforeshediedsheisreportedtohavetoldhersonthatshebelievedthatapolicechiefinthenearbytownofTanza–withwhomshehadhadanaltercationthreedaysearlier–wasbehindtheshooting.Detailsofinvestigation:Accordingtonewsreports,anationalpolicespokesmanannouncedthatthepolicechiefhadbeensuspendedfromdutysothathewouldnotbeabletoinfluencetheinvestigation.Asof30June2016,policehaveyettoidentifythetwosuspectswhofledthesceneafterkillingGarcia.Otherinformation:InJanuary2015,herfamilywerereportedtobereceivingpoliceprotection.

NerlitaLEDESMA(f):Profession:correspondentwiththenationaltabloidnewspaperAbate,radionewsanchorandthepresidentoftheTagnaiHomeownersAssociationDateofdeath:9January2015Detailsofdeath:Ledesma(48)wasshotbyanunknownassailantwhilewaitingforalifttoworknearherhomeincentralBataanprovince’sBalangaCityonthemorningof9January2015.Theassailantsfledthesceneonamotorcycle.Detailsofinvestigation:Bataanpolicehaveformeda‘TaskGroupLedesma’andareinvestigatingthecase.Thepolicereportedlyreleasedoneoftwosuspectsarrestedforthemurderon13January2015,citinginsufficientevidence.Accordingtolocalreports,thepolicefound

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bulletcasingsfroma.45calibrehandgunatthecrimesceneandhaveproducedasketchofoneofLedesma’sgunmen.Althoughthemotiveforthekillingremainsunclear,asecondsuspectapprehendedforLedesma’smurderisalsoreportedtobeasuspectinthemurderofLedesma’spredecessortotheroleofpresidentoftheTagnaiHomeownersAccociation.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Ledesmawasreportedlystillonbailaftershewasarrestedoveralibelcasefiledagainstherbyalocalmediamanlast2011.TheBalangaCityPoliceChiefSuperintendenttoldreportersthatherhousehadbeenfireduponoveroneyearagobyunknownassailants,andthatshehadreceivedanonymousdeaththreatspriortohermurder.

BonifacioLORETOJr.,profession:publisherofthetabloidAksyonNgayonRichardKHO,profession:reporterforthetabloidAksyonNgayonDateofDeath:30July2013Detailsofdeath:TheywerereportedlyshotdeadinQuezonCity,Manila.Detailsofinvestigation:ThepolicefiledtwocountsofmurderchargesagainstClementeBersozaandRoelManaogon13August2013,accordingtonewsreports.Thesuspectswerereportedlyidentifiedbywitnesseswholookedatphotographsofpeoplewithcriminalrecords.Familymembersbelievethatthekillingsarerelatedtotheirworkasjournalists.On4September2014,therewerereportsthatfourpeoplehadbeenarrestedonsuspicionofthekillingofthejournalists.Thesuspectsaresaidtobepartofagun-for-hiregang,whomightberesponsiblefortherecentkillingofapoliceinspector.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

GregorioYBANEZ:Profession:publisheroftheweeklynewspaperKabuhayanNewsServices,presidentoftheDavaoDelNortePressandRadio-TVClubandboarddirectoroftheDavaoDelNorteElectricCooperativepowerdistributorDateofdeath:19August2015Detailsofdeath:On18August,anunidentifiedassailantshotYbanezthreetimesinthechestandonceinthearminfrontofthejournalist'shomeinsouthernDavaoDelNorteprovince'sTagumCity.Ybanezdiedthenextmorningfromhisinjuries,newsreportssaid.Detailsofinvestigation:Policesaidtheywereinvestigatingmotivesrelatedtobothhisrolesasjournalistanddirectorofthepowerdistributor.AvicepresidentoftheDavaoDelNortemediaclubwasquotedinnewsreportsassayingthathebelievedYbanez'smurderwasmorelikelylinkedtohispositionatthepowercooperativethanhisnewspublishing.CornejossaidthatYbanez'snewspublicationwas‘nothard-hitting,’butthathehadreceiveddeaththreatsattheheightofamanagementconflicthewasinvolvedwithatthecooperativein2012.

Judicialharassment

BerteniCAUSING,profession:lawyer-bloggerNatashyaGUTIERREZ(f),profession:reporterfortheonlinenewssiteRappler.comDetailsofharassment:On6August2013,JanetLimNapoles,abusinesswomanconnectedtoacurrentmultibillionpesocorruptionscandal(seecasebelow),reportedlyfiledchargesofcriminallibelagainstbothGutierrezandCausinginconnectionwiththeircoverageofthe‘lavishlifestyle’ofthebusinesswoman’sdaughter.Ifbroughttotrialandconvicted,thepairfaceamaximumsix-yearjailsentenceand/orfine.NapolesisreportedlyseekingdamagesofP10million(approx.US$275,000)andattorney’sfeesfromeachofthem.Accordingtolocalnewsreportsdated17June2015,NapoleswasimprisonedfortaxevasionandGutierrezhasaskedtheTaguigCityprosecutortodismissthelibelchargeagainsther.Update:InJanuary2016,itwasreportedthatthecomplaintagainstGutierrezhadbeenthrownoutbytheTaguigCityprosecutoronthegroundsthatherbloghadbeenneitherdefamatorynormalicious.

*EditoMAPAYO,profession:publisheroftheweeklynewspaperPinoyBalita*JunRAMIREZ,profession:editor-in-chiefofPinoyBalita*PaulBONCAROS,profession:editorofPinoyBalitaDateofharassment:22March2016Detailsofharassment:AbusinesswomanisreportedtohavefiledalibelcomplaintagainstthejournalistsbeforetheSurigaoCityProsecutor'sOfficeon22March

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2016.Thelibelchargewasreportedlybasedonanewsreportinthenewspaper's8to14Februaryissueregardingthebusinesswoman’sallegedfailuretopaylandownersfortheuseoftheirlandwheresheoperatedasmall-scaleminingfirm.Background:LibelremainsacriminaloffenceinthePhilippines.

PaulPANGALANGAN,profession:publisherofPhilippineDailyInquirerJoseMa.NOLASCO,profession:executiveeditorofPhilippineDailyInquirerAberlardoULANDAY,profession:associateeditorforonlineatthePhilippineDailyInquirerArtemioENGRACIAJr,profession:newseditoratthePhilippineDailyInquirerNancyCARVAJAL,profession:reporterforthePhilippineDailyInquirerChristineeAVENDAÑO,profession:reporterforthePhilippineDailyInquirerDetailsofharassment:MelodelPrado,anchormanofdzBBRadio,suedthePhilippineDailyInquirerforlibelin2014,inrelationtoarticlesclaiminghehadreceivedpayoffsfromaP10-billionPorkscam.DelPrado’slawyerclaimsthatthepayments,totalingP245,535,wereforalegitimateadvertisingplanoftheDepartmentofAgriculture.On18May2016,thestaffofPhilippineDailyInquirerpleadednotguiltybeforeJudgeAuroraHernandez-CalledoattheQuezonCityRegionalTrialCourt.Background:PangalanganandNolascowereinvolvedinalibelcasein2013withJanetLimNapoles(seeabove)

JerryYAP:Profession:publisherandcolumnistforHatawandformerNationalPressClubPresidentDateofarrest:5April2015Dateofrelease:6April2015Detailsofarrest:ManillaPoliceDistrictofficersreportedlyarrestedYapattheNinoyAquinoInternationalAirportTerminal3inPasayCityaftercomingbackfromaweekinJapan.HewasarrestedonthestrengthofawarrantissuedbytheManilaRegionalTrialCourton30March2015inconnectionwithalibelcasefiledbytheMPD-DistrictPoliceIntelligenceOperationUnitChiefSeniorInspector.Detailsofrelease:Yapwasreleasedon6April2015afterpostingbailofPHP20,000(approximatelyUS$430).Update:AftercomplainingtotheOmbudsmanfortheMilitaryandotherLawEnforcementOfficers,hewaspermittedtolodgeacomplaintagainstthepoliceinconnectionwithhisarrest.ThelibelcasewasreportedlythrownoutinSeptember2015.Background:ThelibelcaseinquestionisbasedonYap’scolumnBulabugin(Rout)inwhichhewroteaboutanallegeddrugpusherwhoalwaysmanagestobereleasedfromManilapolicecustodyeverytimeheisarrested.Yapsaidthemanwasfirstcaughtforillegaldrugsandgunpossessionatacheckpointbutwasreleasedlaterwithoutcharges.

Caseclosed

RaulPANGALANGAN,profession:publisheroftheManilabroadsheetPhilippineDailyInquirerLettyJIMENEZ-MAGSANOC(f),profession:editorofthePhilippineDailyInquirerJoseMa.D.NOLASCO,profession:editorofthePhilippineDailyInquirerGilC.CABACUNGAN,profession:reporterforthePhilippineDailyInquirerDetailsofharassment:JanetLimNapolesfiledacomplaintofcriminallibelagainstthemon7August2013.InJuly2013,theInquirerpublishedaseriesofreportsonarecentcorruptionscandalrelatingtothemisuseofporkbarrelfunds.ThereportsallegethatfakeNGOsmisusedatleastP10billion(approx.US$200million)ofpublicfunds.WhistleblowersreportedlyidentifiedNapolesastheheadofseveralofthefakeNGOsandasamajorbeneficiaryofthescam.NapolesisreportedlyseekingP10million(approx.US$275,000)andattorney’sfees.Ifconvictedthejournalistscouldfaceamaximumsix-yearprisonsentence.Background:ThechargesfiledagainstthejournalistscameadayafterNapolesfiledsimilarchargesagainstNatashyaGutierresandBerteniCausing(seeabove).AwarrantforNapoles’arrestwasreportedlyissuedon14August2013inrelationtotheillegaldetentionofoneofthewhistleblowers,herformerassistant.Caseclosed:CaseclosedduetolackofinformationinJune2016.

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SINGAPOREHarassed

RoyNGERNG,profession:socialworkerandbloggerTeoSohLUNG,profession:humanrightslawyerDateofharassment:May2016Detailsofharassment:InMay2016,LungandNgerngwereinvestigatedforallegedlybreachingtheParliamentaryElectionsActforpostsmadeontheirprivateFacebookpagesthatdiscussedgovernmenttransparencyandaccountability.TheActprohibitselectioncampaigninginthefinal24hourspriortoelections,yetexplicitlyexemptstheonlineexpressionofaprivateindividual’spoliticalviews.Thismarksthefirsttimeindividualshavebeeninvestigatedundersuchprovisions.Background:inDecember2015,aSingaporeHighCourtjudgeorderedNgerngtopaythePrimeMinisterLeeHsienLoongmorethanS$150,000(US$106,172)indamagesfordefamationafterthebloggerraisedquestionsaboutthefateofbillionsofdollars’worthofworkers’savings(formoreinformationseepreviousCaseLists).

Sentenced*AiTAKAGI:(f)(Australiannational)Profession:co-editorofthenow-defunctTheRealSingaporenewswebsite.Dateofarrest:22April2016Sentence:10monthsinprisonDetailsofarrest:TakagiwasreportedlyfirstarrestedwhilevacationinginSingaporein2015.Detailsoftrial:Takagiisreportedtohavepledguiltytofourcountsofseditionon8March.TheDistrictJudgeisreportedtohavefoundthatthearticleswere‘intendedfromtheoutsettoprovokeunwarrantedhatredagainstforeignersinSingapore.’Thewebsitehaditslicenserevokedbyastatemediaregulatoryboard.Takagiwasreleasedonamonth’sbailtoallowhertosettleherpersonalaffairsbeforereportingtoprison.Atthecourt,sheisreportedtohavereadanapologyinwhichshestatedthatshewasnotfullyawareofthesensitivityofracialandreligiousissuesinSingaporeandadmittedthatcertainstorieswerefabricated.Background:TakagiisalawstudentwhohelpededitthewebsitefromhernativeAustralia.Thewebsiteisreportedtohavepublishedmainlycrowd-sourcedarticleswithlimitededitorialcontrol.Takagiwasconvictedinconnectionwithfourseparatearticlespublishedonthewebsite.OneofthearticleswrongfullyidentifiedaFilipinofamilyashavingstokedviolenceduringaHindureligiousceremony.Takagiwasreportedtobeeightmonthspregnantatthetimeofsentencing.Takagi’shusband,YangKaiheng,wasduetogoontrialinMarch2016(seebelow).

*YangKAIHENG:Profession:co-editorofthenow-defunctTheRealSingaporenewswebsiteSentence:eightmonthsinprisonDetailsoftrial:Yangwaschargedwithseditioninconnectionwitharticlespublishedonthenewssite.On28June2016,acourtreportedlysentencedYangtoeightmonthsinprison.Background:Yang’swife,AiTakagi,(seealso‘sentenced’above)wassentencedto10monthsinprisonhavingpledguiltytofourcountsofsedition,whichthedistrictjudgedeemedtohave‘intendedfromtheoutsettoprovokeunwarrantedhatredagainstforeignersinSingapore.’Thewebsiteisreportedtohavepublishedmainlycrowd-sourcedarticleswithlimitededitorialcontrol.

SRILANKAEnforceddisappearance

PregeethEKANALIYAGODA(alsoknownasPrageethEknaligoda):Profession:politicalanalyst,journalistandvisualdesignerfortheLankaeNewsDateofdisappearance:Ekanaliyagodawasreportedmissingon24January2010,andhiswhereaboutsremainunknown.Detailsofdisappearance:Hewaslastseenleavinghisofficethatevening,andhis

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familybelievethathewasabductedbypro-governmentforcesandsubsequentlykilled.Governmentsourceshavedeniedtheallegationandhavesuggestedhefledabroad,buthavebeenunabletoprovideanyevidenceofthis.Ekanaliyagodaisaleadingcolumnist,andreportedlypublishedarticlesinfavourofthedefeatedoppositioncandidateGeneralSarathFonsekaaheadoftheSriLankanpresidentialelectionsthattookplaceon26January.TheLankaeNewswebsitewasreportedlyblockedduringtheelections,anditsofficesweresearchedbyunidentifiedindividualson28January2010.Detailsofinvestigation:InMarch2015,theSriLankanauthoritiesreportedhavingrevitalisedtheirsearchforEkanaliyagoda.Accordingtolocalreports,on16August2015thesearchforEkanaliyagodawastemporarilyhaltedattherequestoftheSriLankanArmybecausetheinvestigationswouldhavereportedlycompromisedseveralseniormembersoftheArmyIntelligenceUnitalongwiththeiroperations.Followingthecontinuationoftheinvestigations,severalarmypersonnel,includingaMajorGeneral,havereportedlybeenarrestedforquestioningbytheCriminalInvestigationsDepartmentandoneofthemhasallegedlyconfessedtointerrogatingEkanaliyagodaforthreedaysinamilitarycampafterhisdisappearanceinJanuary2010.AccordingtotheGuardian,Ekanaliyagoda’swifewasallegedlyaccostedandthreatenedbyaprominentmonkwhenheappearedincourtinDecember2015inconnectionwiththecase.Background:Previously,on27August2009,Ekanaliyagodahadbeenabductedandheldblindfoldedovernight,andwasreleasedafterbeingtoldthathewasnotthecorrecttarget.FamilyandcolleagueshaveexpressedincreasingconcernthattheauthoritieshavedoneverylittletoinvestigatePregeethEkanaliyagoda’sdisappearance.PENAction:RAN09/10-26February2010;2012Impunitycampaigncase;2014InternationalDaytoEndImpunitycase

Attacked

*FreddyGAMAGE:Profession:editoroftheregionalnewspaperandwebsiteMeepuraandChairmanoftheProfessionalWebJournalistsAssociationDateofattack:2June2016Detailsofattack:GamagereportedlycameunderattackashereturnedfromtheNegamboMunicipalCouncilaftercoveringitsGeneralMeeting.Twoassailantswearinghelmetscoveringtheirfacesreportedlybeathimwithalargewoodenpole.GamagelodgedacomplaintattheNegamboPolicestation.Detailsofinvestigation:On4June,policearereportedtohavearrestedtwosuspectsintheattack.Bothmenclaimthattheydidnotaimtocausephysicalharmtothehumanrightsdefenderbutwantedtothreatenhim.ThemotiveoftheirattackwassupposedlyanarticleaboutthemwhichGamagehadallegedlypublished10monthspriortotheattack.Gamagedeniestheexistenceofthearticle.Background:Accordingtoreports,GamagehadactivelybeeninvestigatingreportsofcorruptionintheNegamboMunicipalCouncil,inparticulartheDeputyMayor.Twoweeksearlier,thedeputymayorreportedlythreatenedGamage,promisingtopunishhimifhecontinuedwritingnegativelyabouthimandhisfamily.Gamageisreportedtobelievethatthedeputymayorisbehindtheattack.THAILANDSincetheintroductionofaconstitutionalmonarchyin1932,Thailandhasbeenahotbedofpoliticalinstability,experiencingalternatingperiodsofdemocracyandmilitaryrule.AfternearlysevenmonthsofescalatingpoliticalviolenceinThailand,amilitarycoupd’étatledbyGeneralPrayuthChan-ochawasdeclaredon22May2014.Thecoupimposedmartiallawandacurfew,dissolvedtheSenate–theonlyremainingnationalgovernmentbodywithelectedmembers–andgrantedwide-rangingexecutiveandlegislativepowerstoitsmilitaryleaders.Inthewakeofthecoup,tightcontrolofthemediawasimposed;manytelevisionandradiostationswereshutdownandjournalistsandacademicsarrested.MartiallawwasfinallyrevokedinMarch2015.On12April2016,GeneralPrayuthChan-ochasaidinamediainterviewthathehadorderedtheThaiauthoritiestotakelegalactionagainstanyoneinvolvedineffortstomockhimonsocialmedia.TheJunta’slegalofficeandthepolicealsostatedthattheyconsideritan

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offencetoshareorpress‘Like’onFacebookpagesorotheronlinemediaiftheoriginalpostsareconsideredtobe‘negative’or‘untrue’.Thailand’slèsemajestélawsareamongtheworld’sstrictestlawsagainstinsultandhaveremainedunchangedsince1908.AccordingtoArticle112oftheThaicriminalcode,anypersonwho‘defames,insultsorthreatenstheking,thequeen,theheir-apparentortheregent’willbepunishedwithupto15yearsinprison.SincethemilitaryseizedpowerinMay2014throughacoup,thenumberoftrialsanddetentionsrelatedtolèsemajestéoffenceshassignificantlyincreasedinordertosilencedissent.Killed:impunity

KamolDUANGPHASUK:(penname:MainuengK.Kunthee)Profession:poetDateofdeath:23April2014Detailsofdeath:KuntheewasreportedlyshotseveraltimesbyunknownassailantswhohadapproachedhiscaratarestaurantparkinglotinnorthernBangkokon23April2014.Thegunmanescapedonamotorcycle.Kunthee,aged45,diedinhospital.ThemotiveforMainuengK.Kunthee’smurderisnotknown,althoughitisthoughtthathemayhavebeentargetedforhispoliticalactivismamidsttheescalatingpoliticalviolenceinthecountryatthetime.Detailsofinvestigation:On24July2014,policeissuedarrestwarrantsfortwoindividualssuspectedofhiskilling.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Hewaswidelyknownforhispoetrysincethelate1980sandwaspopularforhisdirectpoeticstyleandforvoicingstrongpoliticalmessages.Hispoemscallforsocialjustice,therightsoftheruralpoorandforchallengingtheforcesofoppression.HispoemswerepublishedinanumberofmagazinesincludingtheMatichonWeeklyinthe1990s.Mainuengstronglyopposedthe2006militarycoupandthesubsequentcrackdownoncriticsofthemonarchy.HetookpartinmanyralliesoftheUnitedFrontforDemocracyagainstDictatorship(UDD),knownasthe‘RedShirts,’andbecameknownasa‘RedShirtspoet.’HewasalsoveryactiveinthecampaignagainstArticle112ofthePenalCode,orlèsemajestélaw,whichhasbeenwidelyusedtocriminalisefreeexpressionandimprisonwriters,journalistsandpublishers.Hismurderisoneofastringofviolentattacksonactivistsandacademicsknowntobecriticalofthemonarchyandthelèsemajestélaw.PENAction:RAN10/14

Imprisoned:maincase

*PiyaJULKITTIPAN:Profession:formerstockbrokerSentence:sixyearsinprisonDateofarrest:December2014Detailsoftrial:Julkittipanwasreportedlysentencedtoasix-yearprisontermon20January2016afterhewasfoundguiltyofbreakingboththelèsemajestélaw(Article112ofthePenalCode)andtheComputerCrimesActbypostingpicturesoftheKingwith‘insultingcaptions’onFacebook.Theexactcontentofthecaptionsisunclear.Detailsofsentence:Julkittipanwasreportedlysentencedtonineyearsinprison,reducedbyathirdbecausehehadprovided‘useful’testimonyduringthetrial.AccordingtoiLaw,itisthehighestsentencethataciviliancourthaseverhandeddownforonecountoflèsemajesté.Militarycourtshavebeenknowntohanddown30-to40-yearterms.

PornthipMUNKONG(f)andPatiwatSARAIYAEM:Profession:studentsandpoliticalactivistsSentence:TwoandahalfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:Saraiyaemwasarrestedon14August2014andMunkongon15August2014.Detailsofarrest:MunkongandSaraiyaemwerearrestedandchargedwithlèsemajestéunderArticle112ofthecriminalcodefortheirroleinthetheatreplayTheWolf’sBride.Conditionsofdetention:Duringtheirdetention,theybothweredeniedbailseveraltimesandon29December2014bothpleadedguiltyinordertoreducetheirsentence.Currentplaceofdetention:CentralWomen’sPrison(Munkong)andBangkokRemandPrison(Saraiyaem).Detailsoftrial:TheBangkok’sCriminalCourtreducedaninitialsentenceoffiveyearsinjailduetotheconfessionofthestudentssentencingMunkongandSaraiyaemtotwoyearsandahalfinjailon23February2015.Background:Munkong

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andSaraiyaemplayedthemainprotagonistsintheplayTheWolf’sBride,whichwasperformedatThammasatUniversityon13October2013.Itcommemoratedthe40thanniversaryofthe14OctoberPopularUprisinganddramatisedthestoryofafictionalkinganditsadvisor.Theplaywasrecordedandsharedonsocialmedia.Thailand’slèsemajestéareamongtheworld’sstrictestandhaveremainedunchangedsince1908.Thelawprotectsthemonarchyfromperceivedinsultordefamationandcancarryapenaltyofupto15yearsinprison.PENAction:2015Seasons’Greetingscampaign;DayoftheImprisonedWriter2015;RAN05/15

SomyotPRUKSAKASEMUSK:Profession:independentjournalist,editorofthemagazineVoiceofTaksin,andprominentlabouractivist.Dateofarrest:30April2011Sentence:11yearsinprisonDetailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedbytheDepartmentofSpecialInvestigation(DSI)on30April2011andchargedwithtwocountsoflèse-majestéunderArticle112oftheCriminalCodewhichprohibitsactsofinsulting,defamingorthreateningThailand’sking,heirapparentorRegentforpublishingtwoarticleswrittenbyananonymousauthorinhismagazine.Pruksakasemusk,aged50,wasreportedlychargedafterrefusingtorevealtheidentityofthewriterofthearticles,whicharedeemedtobedefamatorytotheKing.Pruksakasemuskmayhavebeentargetedforhiscampaigncallingfortherepealofthelèse-majestélaw.Detailsoftrial:Histrialstartedon21November2011.On23January2013,theBangkokCriminalCourtfoundPrueksakasemsukguiltyonbothcounts.Hewassentencedtofiveyearsforeachcount.Hereceivedanadditionalyear’simprisonmentforaprevioussuspendedsentencepassedinaseparatedefamationcasein2009.Hehasbeendetainedsincehisarrestandhasbeenrepeatedlydeniedbail,mostrecentlyinJuly2013.On18September2014,Thailand'sCourtofAppealsupheldhisconvictionandsentence.NeitherPrueksakasemsuknorhislawyerwereinformedofthehearinginadvance.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Currentplaceofdetention:BangkokRemandPrison,Section1,33Ngamwongwanroad,Ladyao,Jatujak,Bangkok10900,Thailand.Treatmentinprison:Reportedlyill-treatedindetention.Healthconcerns:Somyotsuffersfromhypertensionandgoutandthereareconcernsforhishealth,whichissaidtohavedeterioratedduringhisdetention.Otherinformation:Duringits64thsessionfrom27-31August2012theUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention(WGAD)examinedhiscaseandconcludedthathisdetentionisarbitraryandinviolationofArticle19oftheUNDeclarationonHumanRightsandArticle19(2)oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,towhichThailandisaparty.WGADcalledforhisrelease.On25May2014,threedaysafterthemilitarycoup,theThaimilitaryreportedlycarriedoutasearchinSomyotPrueksakasemsuk'shouseandarrestedhiswifeandson.Theywereheldincommunicadowithoutaccesstoalawyerandtheauthoritiesdidnotprovidethemwithanyreasonsfortheirarrest.Theywerereleasedwithoutchargesonthefollowingday,butwerewarnednottogiveinterviews,makepoliticalcomments,ortakepartinanypoliticalactivities.PENAction:RAN04/13–24January2013;Jointstatement-29April2016;Update#1toRAN04/13–28April2016

NutRUNGWONG(penname:SomsakPakdeedech)Profession:websiteeditorfortheThaiE-NewsSentence:Four-and-a-halfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:24November2014Detailsofarrest:TheeditorwasarrestedduetoanarticlepostedonThaiE-Newsin2009,writtenbyanacademicwhichwasallegedlydefamatorytotheThaimonarchy.Detailsoftrial:HewaschargedunderArticle112oftheCriminalCode(knownasthelèsemajestélaw),whichprohibitsactsofinsulting,defamingorthreateningThailand’sking,heirapparentorregent.Accordingtopressreports,themilitarycourtcutthenine-yearprisonsentenceinhalfashehadpleadedguilty.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Currentplaceofdetention:UnknownBackground:ThearticleonwhichthetrialwasbasedwaswrittenbyGilesJiUngpakorn,whowasapoliticalscienceprofessoratChulalongkornUniversity,Bangkok.TheprofessorwasforcedtoleaveThailandinFebruary2009,afterthepublicationofhisbookentitledACoupfortheRich,inwhichhearguesthatthe2006militarycoupinThailandwasillegitimateandhadthesupportoftheThaimonarchy.

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Detained:maincase

*HaritMAHATON:Profession:novelistDateofarrest:27April2016Detailsofarrest:Mahatonwasamong8peoplearrestedinaseriesofcoordinatedraidsconductedinBangkokandKohnKaenprovinceon27April2016.Theywerereportedlytakenfromthe11thMilitaryCircletotheCrimeSuppressionDivision.Detailsoftrial:MahatonfaceschargesofseditionunderArticle116ofthePenalCode,violatingthe2007ComputerCrimeAct,andlèsemajestéunderArticle112ofthePenalCodeinconnectionwithsocialmediaactivity.Mahatondeniesthechargesandhasemphasisedhissupportforthemonarchyincourt.Despitebeingacivilian,heisbeingtriedbeforeamilitarycourt.Inaciviliancourt,seditioncarriesasentenceofsevenyearsinprison,whilelèsemajestécarriesamaximum15-yearpenalty.However,militarycourtshavebeenknowntopasssentencesuptotwiceasharshasthoseofaciviliancourt.MahatonandcolleaguesweredeniedbailbytheBangkokmilitarycourt,whicharguedthattheircasescarryheavypenaltiesforseriouscriminalchargesagainstnationalsecurity.On19May2016,Mahatonwasdeniedbailforthesecondtime.Background:HaritMahatonistheauthorofatleast10fantasynovelsdirectedtowardsyoungadults.MahatonisoneofeightpeopleaccusedofbeinginvolvedinthemakinganddisseminationofcommentaryontheparodyFacebookpage‘WeLoveGeneralPrayuth’.TheThai-languageFacebookpagecategoriseditselfasa‘comedian’site.TheThaimilitaryjuntaclaimedthatitwascreatedwithfundingfromthesonofdeposedPrimeMinisterThaksinShinawatrainordertodiscreditthegovernment.TheFacebookpageisnolongeraccessible.ThelèsemajestéchargesarethoughttostemfromprivatecommunicationsonFacebookmessengerbetweenMahatonandWorathaiyawich(see‘Detained:maincase’below),accessedfollowinghisarreston27April2016.[Stoppress:Mahatonwasreleasedonbailon8July2016]

*SIRAPHOP:(Penname:Rungsila)Profession:poetDateofarrest:24June2014Detailsofarrest:On1June2014,theNationalCouncilforPeaceandOrder(NCPO)listedSiraphop’srealnameamongthosewhoshouldpresentthemselvestomilitarycampsfor‘attitudeadjustment’underorderNo.44/2557.Siraphoprefusedandattemptedtofleethecountryandclaimasylum.Anarrestwarrantwasissuedon8June2014.Hewasarrestedon24June2014afterhiscarwasinterceptedbyarmedmeninplainclothes.Hewastakentoamilitarycampimmediately.Placeofdetention:BangkokRemandPrisonDetailsoftrial:Followinghisdetention,SiraphopwaschargedwithviolatingtheNCPO’sorderon1July2014.Thefollowingdayhewasgrantedbail,however,hewasimmediatelyrearrestedbytheTechnologyCrimeSuspensionDivisionofficeforinterrogationforviolatingArticle112oftheCriminalCode(lèsemajesté)andSection14oftheComputer-relatedCrimeAct.Siraphoppleadednotguilty,althoughheadmittedtousing‘Rungsila’ashispennameandtobeingassociatedwiththeFacebookaccountandwebsite.Ifconvicted,hefacesupto45yearsinprison.On13November2014,thecourtruledthatthecasewouldbetriedinaclosedcourt.Siraphopandhislawyerssoughtinlate2015tohavethetrialtransferredtoaciviliancourt,aclaimthatwassupportedbytheCriminalCourt’srulingthatithadjurisdictionoverthecaseinSeptember2015.However,on20January2016,theMilitaryCourtofBangkokdeterminedthatthecasewouldbeheardbytheMilitaryCourtastheonlinecontentinquestionwasstillaccessiblewhenthemilitaryjuntaissuedAnnouncementsNo.37/2014and38/2014on25May2014,whichtransferredjurisdictionoverlèsemajestéandnationalsecuritycasestotheMilitaryCourt.Trialinaciviliancourtallowsforthepossibilityofappeal;amilitarycourt’sverdictisfinal.Background:ThearrestonchargesofviolatingArticle112oftheCriminalCode(lèsemajesté)andtheComputer-relatedCrimeActrelatetoareportfiledtothepoliceon30June2014allegingthatthreewritingsSiraphophadpostedonFacebookandapoempublishedonPrachathainewspaper’swebpagewereconsideredoffensive.Siraphopisreportedtohaveregularlywrittenarticlescriticalofthegovernmentsince2010.Hecontinuestowritepoetryinprison.

*NatthikaWORATHAIYAWICH:Profession:socialmediauserDateofarrest:27April2016Detailsofarrest:Worathaiyawichwas

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amongeightpeoplearrestedinaseriesofcoordinatedraidsconductedinBangkokandKohnKaenprovinceon27April2016.Theywerereportedlytakenfromthe11thMilitaryCircletotheCrimeSuppressionDivision.Detailsoftrial:WorathaiyawichfaceschargesofseditionunderArticle116ofthePenalCode,violatingthe2007ComputerCrimeAct,andLèsemajestéunderArticle112ofthePenalCodeinconnectionwithhissocialmediaactivity.On19May,Worathaiyawichwasdeniedbailforasecondtime.Background:WorathaiyawichisoneofeightpeopleaccusedofbeinginvolvedinthemakinganddisseminationofcommentaryontheparodyFacebookpage‘WeLoveGeneralPrayuth’.TheThai-languageFacebookpagecategoriseditselfasa‘comedian’site.TheThaimilitaryjuntaclaimedthatitwascreatedwithfundingfromthesonofdeposedPrimeMinisterThaksinShinawatrainordertodiscreditthegovernment.TheFacebookpageisnolongeraccessible.ThelèsemajestéchargesarethoughttostemfromprivatecommunicationsonFacebookmessengerbetweenWorathaiyawichandMahaton(see‘Detained:maincase’above),accessedfollowinghisarreston27April2016.[Stoppress:Worathaiyawichwasreleasedonbailon8July2016]

Detained:investigation

*BURINIntin:Profession:welderandsocialmediauserDateofarrest:27April2016Detailsofarrest:Burinwasreportedlyarrestedwhileattendingasolidarityrallyinsupportofagroupknownasthe‘Facebook8’.HewasreportedlytakenfromthepolicebysoldiersanddetainedatamilitarybasebeforetheMilitaryCourtgrantedthefirstcustodyrequest.On28April,themilitaryreportedlysearchedBurin’shomeandconfiscatedcomputerequipment,amongotheritems.Detailsoftrial:Burinhasreportedlybeenchargedunderarticle112ofthePenalCode(lèseMajesté)andArticle14(3)oftheComputerCrimeActfollowingcommentsmadeonFacebook,includinginaprivatemessagetoPatnareeChankij(see‘Ontrial’below).Placeofdetention:BangkokRemandPrisonBackground:Burinisaknownsupporterofthe‘Facebook8’.HaritMahaton,NatthikaWorathaiyawich(see‘Detained:maincase’above),andsixothersarecollectivelyknownasthe‘Facebook8’,aftertheywerearrestedandchargedwithseditioninrelationtocommentarypostedontheparodyFacebookpage‘WeLoveGeneralPrayuth’.MahatonandWorathaiyawichwerebothalsochargedwithlèsemajesté.AccordingtoPrachataiEnglish,amilitaryspokesmanclaimedthatthemilitaryhadlongbeenmonitoringBurin’sFacebookaccountasheoftenposted‘anti-junta’messagesonit.[Stoppress:Burinwasreportedlyformallyindictedon22July2016,almostthreemonthsafterbeingdetained.]

Ontrial

AndyHALL:(UKnational)Profession:Labouractivistandresearcherwhoblogsathttp://andyjhall.wordpress.com/Detailsoftrial:Heisontrialforbothcriminalandcivildefamation,aswellasoffencesundertheComputerCrimesActafterpublishingareportonallegedabusescommittedbytheNaturalFruitCompanyLimited,afruitprocessingcompanyinThailand.Hall’sinvestigativereportentitledCheaphasahighprice:ResponsibilityproblemsrelatingtointernationalprivatelabelproductsandfoodproductioninThailand,waspublishedinlate2012,bytheFinnishNGOFinnWatch.ThereportfocusesonproductionpracticesofjuicesandfruitsoldinFinland,andwasreportedlybasedoninterviewswithemployees,manyofthemundocumentedmigrantsfromMyanmar,whosufferedlabourrightsabuses,frompoorworkingconditionstochildlabour.AndyHallwastheleadresearcherofthereport,whileworkingasAssociateResearcheratMahidolUniversityinThailand.Iffoundguilty,HallfacesuptotwoyearsinprisonandcivildamagesofUS$10million.Thechargeswerefiledon14February2013,andhistrialbeforetheSouthBangkokCriminalCourtbeganon2September2014.On18September2015,theAppealcourtupheldtheirdecisionfromlastyeartodismissthedefamationchargesagainstAndyHalloverapressinterviewconductedinMyanmar,sayingneitherNaturalFruitCompanyLimitednorthestateprosecutorshadgroundstosuefordefamationin

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Thailand.ThisisjustoneoffourcasesofdefamationNaturalFruithasfiledagainstAndyHall.Hearingsontheothercasesareduetocontinue.Update:Atabailhearingheldon13January2016,aBangkokcourtimposedatravelbanuponHallandconfiscatedhispassport.On18January2016,aBangkokcourtreportedlyindictedHallonchargesofdefamationandcomputercrimes.Histrialbeganon19May2016.Furtherhearingsareexpectedbetween12-15Julyand26-27July.PENAction:RAN01/16;Update1toRAN01/16–16May2016

*Noppakao,KONGSUAN,*WorawitSAKSAMUTNAN,*YothinMANGKHANGSANGA,*ThanawatBURANASIRI,*SupachaiSAIBUT,*KannasitTANGBOONTHINA:Profession:socialmediausersDateofarrest:TheyareamongeightpeoplearrestedinaseriesofcoordinatedraidsconductedinBangkokandKohnKaenprovinceon27April2016.Theywerereportedlytakenfromthe11thMilitaryCircletotheCrimeSuppressionDivision.Dateofrelease:10May2016Detailsoftrial:TheyfacechargesofseditionunderArticle116ofthePenalCode,violatingthe2007ComputerCrimeActinconnectionwiththeiractivityonFacebook.Thesixwerereleasedonbailon10May2016.Background:TheyareamongeightpeopleaccusedofbeinginvolvedinthemakinganddisseminationofcommentaryontheparodyFacebookpage‘WeLoveGeneralPrayuth’(seealsoHaritMahatonandNatthikaWorathaiyawichin‘Detained:maincase’above).TheThai-languageFacebookpagecategoriseditselfasa‘comedian’site.TheThaimilitaryjuntaclaimedthatitwascreatedwithfundingfromthesonofdeposedPrimeMinisterThaksinShinawatrainordertodiscreditthegovernment.TheFacebookpageisnolongeraccessible.

*PATNAREEChankij:(f)Profession:socialmediauserDateofarrest:6May2016Dateofrelease:8May2016Detailsofarrest:Patnareereportedlyturnedherselfintopoliceafteranarrestwarrantwasissued.Detailsoftrial:PatnareehasreportedlybeenchargedwithlèsemajestéinconnectionwithapostonFacebookinwhichshewrote‘ja’(equivalentto‘yeah’or‘Isee’)inresponsetoaprivatemessageshereceived,whichthepoliceclaimisdefamatoryofthemonarchy.Thepolicesaythatthefactthatshedidn’tinstantlycriticisethemessagesshereceivedmakesheranaccomplicetopostingmessagesofadefamatory,insultingorthreateningnaturetotheKing.ThesenderofthemessagewasreportedlyarrestedinApril2016.Ifconvictedshecouldfaceupto15-yearsinprison,iftriedinaciviliancourt.Shewasreportedlydeniedbailbecausetheseverityofherpotentialsentencemadeheraflightrisk.AccordingtoPrachataiEnglish,shewaseventuallygrantedbailon8May.Background:Patnareeisthemotherofaprominentstudentactivistcriticalofmilitaryrule.Hersoniscurrentlyoutonbailhavingbeendetainedforparticipatinginanunsanctionedprotest.Politicaltensionisbuildingaheadofthecountry’s7Augustreferendumonamilitary-backedconstitution;itmarksthefirstvoteunderthejuntaandatestofPrimeMinisterPrayuthChan-ocha'spopularity.Thegovernmenthavebannedallcampaigningagainsttheconstitution.[Stoppress:Accordingtoreports,on15July2016thepolicedecidednottopresschargesagainstPatnaree.However,thecasewasstillbeforemilitaryprosecutorswhocouldstillindicther.]

*THANAKORNSiripaiboon: Profession:factoryworkerDateofarrest:8December2015Dateofrelease:8March2016Detailsofarrest:ThanakornwasreportedlyarrestedbytwoplainclothespoliceofficersathisworkplacewhotookhimtoBangPooPoliceStation.HewaslatertransferredtoapolicestationinSamutPrakanProvince.Hewaslatertransferredtoanarmycamp.Detailsoftrial:ThanakornwasbroughtbeforeaBangkokmilitarycourton15January2016,wherehispre-trialdetentionorderwasissuedandbailwasdenied.ThanakornwasreportedlychargedunderArticle14(2)oftheComputerRelatedCrimeAct,Articles112(lèsemajesté)and116(sedition)oftheCriminalCodeon4March2016.Hewas

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releasedonbailfollowingapetitionfiledbyhislawyer.Hehadbeenheldindetentionfor86days.Background:ThanakornreportedlypostedanimageoftheconstructionoftheRatchapakdiParkwithacaptionthatallegedthatthoseinthephotographwereengagedincorruption.Thepostwasdeemedtobefalseinformationwhichcouldprovokedisorder.ThechargesforlèsemajestéreportedlystemfromwhenThanakornpostedamessageonFacebooksatirisingtheking’sdogandforclicking‘like’onapicture.Hewasdetainedincommunicadoforsevendays.Update:On12May2016,itwasreportedthatThanakorn’shousewasraidedandhiscomputerconfiscated.Itisunclearwhetherhewasalsodetainedatthistime.

Harassed

PravitROJANAPHRUK:Profession:journalistDateofharassment:March2016Detailsofharassment:RojanaphrukwasreportedlybannedfromtravellingtoFinlandtocelebrateWorldPressFreedomDay.Background:RojanaphrukwritesfortheonlinenewsoutletKhaosodEnglish.Heiswell-knownforhiscriticismofthemilitaryjuntaandforhisdefenceoffreedomofexpression.Between13and15September2015,Rojanaphrukwasdetainedincommunicadobythemilitaryjuntaforwhatitcalls‘attitudeadjustment’afterallegedlyspreadingfalseinformationaboutthejuntaonsocialmedia(seepreviousCaseList).PENAction:FinnishPENstatement–1May2016

Released

AlanMORISON(Australiannational)andChutimaSIDASATHIAN(f):Profession:respectivelyeditorandreporterforthenewswebsitePhuketwan.comDetailsoftrial:Theywerechargedwithcriminaldefamation,aswellasoffencesundertheComputerCrimesAct,on18December2013.ThechargeswerereportedlybroughtagainstthejournalistsbyaThainavalofficer,onbehalfoftheRoyalThaiNavy,followingthe17July2013publicationofareport,whichdetailedthetreatmentofRohingyamigrantsfleeingMyanmar.ThearticlereportedlyquotedextensivelyfromaReutersreportwhichimplicatedtheThaiNavyinhumantrafficking.Criminaldefamationcarriesatwo-yearprisonterm,whiletheComputerCrimesActprovidesforuptofiveyearsinprison.On17April2014,aThaicourtformallychargedMorisonandSidasathianwithcriminaldefamationandtheirtrialstartedon14July2015.Release:On1September2015,bothMorisonandSidadathianwerefoundnotguiltyofcriminallydefamingtheThainavyandofallComputerCrimesActcharges.MorisonhadsincequittedhispostaseditorforPhuketwanandwasplanningtomovebacktoAustralia.However,on1December2015theThailegalprosecutorwasgranteda30-dayextensiontolodgeanappealagainsttheverdict,until31December2015,makingMorison’sandSidasathian’slegalsituationuncertain.Update:AccordingtoreportsinearlyJanuary2016,thedeadlinebywhichtheprosecutioncouldfileanappealagainsttheiracquittalpassed,despitetheirappealstoextendit.Background:PhuketwanhasreportedontheRohingyapeople’sexodusfromMyanmarsince2008.

TIMORLESTE

Harassed

*LourencoVicenteMARTINS,profession:formereditorofTimorPost*RaimundoOKI,profession:reporterwiththeTimorPostDetailsofharassment:Accordingtoreports,OkiandMartinsfacepossiblechargesofdefamationinconnectionwithanarticle–writtenbyOki–publishedon10November2015containingafactualerrorregardingagovernmenttenderingprocess.DefamationispunishablebyuptothreeyearsinprisonunderArticle285(1)oftheTimorLestePenalCode(‘Slanderousdenunciation’).OkiandMartinswerereportedlysummonedtoappearbeforetheofficeoftheGeneralProsecutoron11

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April2016.Appearingwiththeirlawyerseachfacedseparate30-minuteinterviews.Bothmenreliedontheirrighttosilence,andeachwasgivena'letter'statingthatneithercouldchangehisaddressnortraveloverseaswithoutgivingtheprosecutor15days'notice.Theprosecutormustnowdecidewhethertofileanindictmentordropthecharges.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:PrimeMinisterRuiMariadeAraujoreportedlyfiledacomplaintofdefamationagainstOki,MartinsandtheTimorPostwiththeProsecutorGeneralon22January2016inresponsetoOki’sarticle,whichallegedthatthePrimeMinisterhad–inapreviouscapacityasAdvisortotheMinisterofFinance–recommendedthewinningbidforaprojecttosupplyandinstallcomputerequipmenttothenewMinistryofFinancebuildingin2014.TheTimorPostreportedlypublishedacorrectiontoOki’soriginalarticleinits18November2015editionandthePrimeMinister’sreplytothearticleonitsfrontpageon17November2015.In2013,Okireportedlyfacedanunrelateddefamationchargeonanothercorruptioncase,butwasabsolvedbythecourt.TimorLestereportedlydecriminaliseddefamationwiththeintroductionofthe2009PenalCode,however,accordingtotheInternationalFederationofJournalists,contradictionsinTimorLestelawhaveallowedacriminaldefamationcomplainttobefiled.

VIETNAM

Imprisoned:maincases

BUIThiMinhHang(f)andNGUYENThiThuyQuynh:Profession:bloggersSentence:threeyearsandtwoyearsinprison,respectivelyExpiry:Bui’ssentenceexpiresinFebruary2017,Nguyen’sinFebruary2016.Dateofarrest:11February2014Detailsofarrest:ThebloggerswerereportedlyarrestedastheyweretravellingtothehomeofNguyenBacTruyen,alawyerwhohadbeenarrestedarbitrarily,alongwithanumberoffriendsandactivists,includingnetizenLuuTrongKiet,inDongThap.TheywerereportedlytakentoLapVopolicestationwheretheywerebeatenandhadtheirelectronicdevicesconfiscated.Whilemanyofthosewithherwerereleasedthenextday,BuiThiMinhHangandNguyenThiThuyQuynhremaineddetained.BuiandNguyen,alongwithactivistNguyenVanMinh,facedchargesof‘disturbingpublicorder’and‘obstructingtraffic.’Fiveactivistsreportedlyrefusedtosigntestimoniestheygavetothepoliceoverthechargesthebloggersface,claimingthattheirstatementswerefabricated.Detailsoftrial:On26August2014,thePeople’sCourtofDongThap,southernprovince,sentencedthebloggersinasummarytrial,underparagraphs(a)and(b)ofArticle245ofthePenalCodefor‘causingpublicdisorder’.Therearereportsthatthetrialdidnotcomplywithinternationalstandardsoffairtrial,includingthefactthatfourdefencewitnesseswerenotallowedtoattendthetrial.On12December2014,theDongThapCourlofAppealconfirmedthesentenceagainstthebloggers.Placeofdetention:On29January2015,BuiThiMinhHangwastransferredtoCampGiaTrung,Ajunvillage,MangYangdistrict,GiaLaiprovince,VietNam.ThereareunconfirmedreportsthatNguyenThiThuyQuynhisbeingheldatthePublicsecuritycampinSaigon(HoChiMinhcity).Healthconcerns:Buihadembarkeduponahungerstrikeimmediatelyfollowingherarrest,butafter24daysherhealthwasdeteriorating,shestoppedasadvisedbyherlawyer.On2February,AmnestyInternationalclaimedthatBuihasbeendeniedmedicaltreatmentdespiteveryserioushealthproblemsincludingastomachulcer.Otherinformation:severalUNSpecialRapporteurssentanurgentcommunicationtoVietnamabouttheircaseon26March2014;VietNamrespondedon30May.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.PENposition:PENbelievestheirarrestonpublicorderoffenceswasareprisalfortheircriticalblogging,astheyandNguyenVanMinhweretheonlyonesbroughttotrialofthe21arrested.Allthreeareknownfortheirpeacefulhumanrightsactivities,callinginparticularforreligiousfreedom,thereleaseofpoliticalprisoners,andforsupporttovictimsoflandconfiscation.

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DINHNguyenKha:Profession:blogger,humanrightsactivist,studentoftheLongAnUniversityofEconomicsandIndustry,andmemberofthebannedhumanrightsdefenders’groupTuoiTreYeuNuoc(YoungPatriots).DateofBirth:1988Sentence:Eightyearsinprison,reducedtofouronappeal.Expires:2016Dateofarrest:11October2012Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedafterdropping2000anti-governmentleafletsatAnSuong,HoChiMinhCitywhichtheprosecutionclaimeddistorted‘thepartyandthestate’spoliciesrelatedtoreligionandland,andexhibit[ing]atwistedviewpointregardingtheSpratlyandParacelislands[whosesovereigntyisdisputed]andtheborderlandbetweenVietNamandChina’.Currentplaceofdetention:CampK3XuyenMoc,BaRia-VungTauprovince,VietNam.Detailsoftrial:Dinhwasconvictedon16May2013for‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’,prohibitedunderArticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCode.On16August2013,Dinh’ssentencewasreportedlyhalved,whilethatofhisco-accusedwasover-turned.Healthconcerns:Alongwithhiscellmates,DangXuanDieuandTrauVuAnhBinh(seebelow),Dinhreportedlywentonahungerstrikestarting19March2015inprotestofthepoorprisonconditions.Theirhungerstrikereportedlyendedon4April2015.AfterwardsDinhandhisfellowhungerstrikerswerereportedasveryill,allhavingbeenbannedfrompurchasinganyitemsfromthecanteentorestoretheirhealthafterthehungerstrike,andtheirfamiliesnotbeingallowedtosendlimitedquantitiesofdriedfoodeachmonth.InMarch2016,Dinhwentonhungerstrikeagaintoprotestconditionsintheprison.Itendedafter13days,whentheprisonagreedtolistentotheirdemands.Otherinformation:Accordingtoacopyoftheindictment,on29September2012thePeople’sCourtofTanAncityconvictedandsentencedDinhNguyenKhatotwoyearsinprisonfor‘intentionallycausinginjuriestoothers’.Dinhwastriedwithpoet,activistandbloggerNguyenPhuongUyen(seebelow).Dinh’sbrother,DinhNhatUy,wasgivenasuspended15-monthprisonterminOctober2013afterconvictionof‘havingabuseddemocraticfreedomsagainsttheinterestsofthestate’forpostingmessagesonFacebookthatwerecriticalofthetreatmentofDinhNguyenKha.

*DINHTatThang:Profession:anti-corruptioncampaignerSentence:sevenmonthsand11daysinprisonDateofarrest:16August2015Detailsofarrest:UnknownDetailsoftrial:AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch,Dinhwassentencedtosevenmonthsand11daysinprisonforviolatingarticle258oftheCriminalCodeon24March2016.Theindictmentreportedbystatemediasaidthathe‘continuouslysentletterstodenounce,slander,insultandoffendtheindividualhonor,dignityandprestigeofanumberofleadersfromthecentrallevel,fromThanhHoaprovinceandfromthePartycell,thePeople’sCommitteeandthePoliceofThoXuandistrict.’Background:On5August2015,DinhTatThangreportedlywrotealettertotheVietNamFatherlandFront,aparty-controlledumbrellagroupofpro-governmentmassmovementsinVietnam,denouncingthepracticeoffakingpaperworktoreceivestatebenefitsforwoundedveteransinThanhHoaprovince.In2008,hewassentencedtoninemonthsinprison,alsofordenouncingcorruptleaders,bothlocalandnational.

HAHuyHoang:Profession:formerjournalistforthepublicationWorldandforanewspaperpublishedbytheMinistryofForeignaffairsSentence:sixyearsinprisonDateofarrest:October2014Detailsofarrest:HawasreportedlyarrestedinOctober2014forprovidingstatesecretstoChinaDetailsoftrial:On30September2015,theHanoiprosecutorofficechargedHawithespionageunderArticle80ofVietNamcriminalcode,accordingtoRadioFreeAsia.Duringthetrial,Hatestifiedthathewastoldtosaywhattheinvestigatorswantedhimtosayandthattheinvestigationreportdidnotreflectwhatheactuallysaid.ProsecutorsdidnotprovethatHareallyintendedtohelpChina.Otherinformation:Statenewspapersremovedarticlesaboutthetrialfromtheirwebsitesthesameday.

NGOHao:Profession:internetwriterandhumanrightsactivistDateofBirth:1948Sentence:15yearsinprison

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andfiveyearsinprobationarydetentionExpiry:February2028Dateofarrest:8February2013Currentplaceofdetention:LabourCampAnDiêm,DaiLôcdistrict,QuangNamprovince,VietNam.Detailsoftrial:Accusedof‘carryingoutactivities’aimedat‘overthrowingthepeople’sadministration’underarticle79oftheCriminalCode.Sentencedto15yearsinprisonandfiveyearsinprobationarydetentionon11September2013,upheldonappealon23December2013.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Hereportedlycriticisedsocialinjusticeandhumanrightsviolationscommittedbytheadministrationofhiscountryinonlinearticles,inparticularofficialcorruptionandreligiouspersecution.Hesentanappealtoforeigngovernmentsandinternationalhumanrightsorganisationsseekingsupportforvictimsofrepressionagainstfreedomofexpressionandopinionandfreedomofreligion.

NGUYENDinhNgoc(penname:NguyenNgocGia):Profesion:bloggerSentenced:fouryearsinprisonandthreeyears’probationarydetentionDateofarrest:27December2014Detailsofarrest:ArrestedathishomeinHoChiMinhCity.Currentplaceofdetention:Publicsecuritydetentioncamp,4PhanDangLuuStreet,Phuong14,BinhThanhdistrict,HoChiMinhcity,VietNam.Detailsoftrial:Nguyenwasreportedlysentencedon30March2016tofouryearsinprisonandthreeyears’probationarydetentionunderarticle88oftheCriminalcodeforspreadingpropagandaagainstthestate.Prosecutorsreportedlyclaimedthat22ofNguyen’sarticles,14ofwhichwerepublishedonline,weredefamatoryoftheCommunistPartyleadersandthestate.Hewasheldinpre-trialdetentionfor15months.Itwasnotimmediatelyclearifthetimeservedwouldcountagainsthissentence.Background:Someoftheblogger’spostsaresaidtobecriticaltothegovernment,particularlyitsreactiontodissidentwritersandbloggers.HeisreportedlyacontributortotheblogsDanLamBaoandDanLuan(Thepeople’sJournalandThePeople’sOpinion,respectively)andRadioFreeAsia’sVietnameseservice.PENAction:Mentionedin2015resolutiononVietNam

NGUYENHuuVinh(penname:AnhBaSam)andNGUYENThiMinhThuy(f):Profession:bloggersandfoundersofwww.Basam.info;contributortobannedwebsiteswww.diendanxahoidansu.wordpress.comandwww.chepsuviet.com(HuuVinh)Sentence:fiveandthreeyearsinprison,respectivelyDateofarrest:5May2014Detailsofarrest:TheywerereportedlyarrestedattheirrespectivehomesinHanoion5May2014.Update:On16February2016,thebloggers’lawyerfiledapetitionseekingtheirimmediatereleaseastheirpre-trialdetentionhadexceededthetimelimitstipulatedbylaw.Currentplaceofdetention:CampB14PublicSecurityDepartment,ThanhLiêtvillage,ThanhTridistrict,HaNoi,VietNam.Detailsoftrial:On30October2014bothbloggerswerechargedunderArticle258oftheCriminalCode,forallegedly‘abusingdemocraticfreedomstoinfringeupontheinterestsofthestate,thelegitimaterightsandinterestsoforganisationsand/orcitizens’after‘publishingonlinearticleswithbadcontentsandmisleadinginformationtodamageauthorities’imageandreputation,lowertheprestigeandcreatepublicdistrustofgovernmentoffices,socialorganisations,andcitizens’.Thechargesreportedlyallegedthat24oftheirblogpostscontainedfalseinformationliableto‘tarnishthestateapparatus’prestige’.On23March2016,theHanoiPeople’scourtsentencedthebloggerstofiveandthreeyearsinprison,respectively,underarticle258oftheCriminalCode.Background:NguyenHuuVinhisthefounderofthepoliticalblogBasam,whichhasbecomeaplatformforactiviststoshareblogpostsandothercontentcriticalofthegovernment.AccordingtothemanagingeditorforBasam,hehasnotbeeninvolvedinthesite’soperationforanumberofyears.

NGUYENKimNhan:Profession:humanrightsdefender.KnownfordissidentwritingsconcerningillegallandexpropriationandabusesofauthorityinBacGiangprovince,andcontributingtotheundergroundreviewTôQuôc(Fatherland).DateofBirth:1949Sentence:Five-and-a-halfyearsinprisonandfouryearsofprobationarydetention.Expiry:December2016Dateofarrest:7June2011Detailsofarrest:NguyenKimNhanwasarrestedafterpublicsecuritypolicemensearchedhisresidenceand

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confiscatedanumberofpersonaleffectsincludingacomputerandseveraldocuments.Currentplaceofdetention:Traigiamsô6,HuyênThanhChuongdistrict,NghêAn,ViêtNam.Detailsoftrial:On16July2012Nguyenwasconvictedafteraone-daytrialinBacGiangprovinceunderArticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCodefor‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’.Hewastriedforpublishingcriticalarticlesandlettersonline,allegedlycontainingdefamatorycommentsdamagingthereputationoftheCommunistpartyanditsleaders,reportinghumanrightsviolations,illegallandexpropriationandgivinginterviewstooverseasVietnamese-languagemedia.NguyenwastriedtogetherwithDoVanHoaandDinhVanNhuong(see‘Maincases’above).Conditionsindetention:Sincehisarrest,hehashadnodirectaccesstohisfamily.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:NguyenKimNhanhaspreviouslyservedtwoprisonsentencesforhisdissidentactivitiesandwritings,from24September2008to22January2009andfrom8May2009to20December2010,alsoafterconvictionsunderarticle88oftheCriminalCode.

NGUYENThanhLong:(religiousnameNguyenCongChinh)Profession:pastor,onlinewriter,headoftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchofVietNam,memberofthebannedhumanrightsdefendersnetworkBloc8406andtheVietnamesePoliticalandReligiousPrisonersFriendshipAssociation.DateofBirth:10October1969.Sentence:11yearsinprison.Expires:2022DateofArrest:28April2011.Detailsofarrest:Arrestedathishousewheresecuritypoliceseizedadozenofhiswritingsanddocuments.Currentplaceofdetention:CampAnPhuoc,PhuGiaodistrict,BinhDuongprovince,ViêtNam.Detailsoftrial:On26March2012NguyenwassentencedbythePeople’sCourtoftheGiaLaiprovincefor‘underminingtheunitypolicy’underarticle87oftheCriminalCode.Hewasaccusedofwritingandspreadingonlinetexts(about19titles)that‘slanderedCommunistauthorities’and‘distortedthesituationoffreedomofopinionandreligion’inVietNam.HewasalsoaccusedofsendingtoNGOs,foreignmediaandinternationalinstitutionshisonlinecriticalwritingsandcomplaintsabouthumanrightsviolationsandthepersecutionofethnicminorities,andforgivinginterviewstoforeignradioandnewspapers.Nodefencelawyers,evencourt-appointedones,werepresentatNguyenThanhLong’strial.Conditionsindetention:Reportedlyattackedandill-treatedinprison.Hisfamilyisseriouslyconcernedforhiswell-being.Otherinformation:NguyenThanhLonghaslongbeensubjecttoharassment,interrogationsandarbitrarydetentionbypublicsecuritypolice,andhasalsobeenattackedandbeaten.Hisfamilyhasalsofacedharassment,intimidationandthreat.Hishouseispermanentlykeptundersurveillancebythepublicsecuritypolice.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

PHANNgocTuan:Profession:dissidentpoet,writerandhumanrightsdefender.DateofBirth:1959Sentence:Fiveyearsinprisonandthreeyearsinprobationarydetention.Expires:August2016Dateofarrest:10August2011Detailsofarrest:ArrestedbythepublicsecuritypolicewhenhetookrefugewithoneofhisacquaintancesinHoChiMinhcity.Hewasthenescortedbacktohisplaceofresidenceforinterrogation.Currentplaceofdetention:CampT345XuyênMôcdistrict,BaRia–VungTauprovince,ViêtNam.Detailsoftrial:On6June2012,PhanNgocTuanwassentencedbytheNinhThuanprovince’speoplecourttofiveyearsinprisonandthreeyearsinprobationarydetentionafterconvictionof‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’underarticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCode.TheindictmentallegedthatPhanNgocTuan’swritings‘slandered’thegovernmentanditsleaders.Nodefencelawyers,evencourt-appointedones,werepresentatPhanNgocTuan’shalf-daytrial.PhanNgocTuandeniedthecharges.Otherinformation:Hisfamilyhasreportedlyfacedharassment,intimidationandthreats.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016.Background:Phanistheauthorofseveralsatiricaltexts,lampoons,pamphletsanddocumentscriticisingthecommunistauthoritiesfortheirhumanrightsviolationsanddenouncingcorruption,socialinjusticeandideologicaldiscriminationintheregime’slegalsystem.

TRANHuynhDuyThuc(penname:TranDongChan):Profession:businessman,poetandprolificinternetwriter.Tranissaidtobethedirectorgeneralof

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thecompanyOneConnectionInternetInc.,andFounderoftheStudiesGroupforImprovingandPromotingVietNam.Hehasvariousonlineblogs,themostprominentbeing‘Changeweneed’,wherehepublisheshisarticlesonthesocialandpoliticalsituationinVietNam,aswellashispoems.Heissaidtobetheco-authoroftheclandestinebookTheWayforVietNam.DateofBirth:1966Sentence:Sixteenyearsinprisonandthreeyearsofprobationarydetention.Expires:23May2025Dateofarrest:24May2009Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedathishomebytheSecurityAgencyandwasoriginallychargedwith‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’underarticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCode.TherearereportsthatinAugust2009,Tranwascompelledtomakeapublic‘confession’.Currentplaceofdetention:On7May2016,TranwasreportedlymovedfromXuyênMôcLabourcamptoanotherdetentionfacilityabout1,500kilometresaway,knownasCampNo.6incentralNgheAnprovince.Noexplanationwasprovidedforthemove.Detailsoftrial:Triedandconvictedon17January2010for‘carryingoutactivitiesaimedatoverthrowingthepeople’sadministration’underarticle79oftheCriminalCode.Thetriallastedoneday,andneitherTran’srelativesnorthepresswereallowedintothecourtroom.Saidtobeconvictedforhisdissidentactivitiesandwritings.Update:InMarch2016,Tran,alongwithotherinmatesatXuyênMocprison,reportedlysubmittedwrittencomplaintsandwentona13-dayhungerstriketoprotestmisconductbyprisonguards,includingarbitraryrestrictionsontheirrightstoreceivedocumentsfromandsenddocumentstotheirfamilymembers,aswellasthefrequentuseofsolitaryconfinement.Awards:Tranistherecipientofthe2013VietNamHumanRightsNetworkPrize.

TRANVuAnhBinh:Profession:songwriterandblogger.Tranhaswrittensongswhichdealwithsocialmatters,advocatingtherespectofhumanrights,denouncingsocialinjusticeandabuseofpower.Hisbest-knownsongsincludeFather,YouGaveMe(YourChild)theFuture,andTheLullabyisNotFullySungYet.HeisalsocreditedwithwritingthemusicforCourageintheDarkPrison,asongthatreportedlyexpressessupportforimprisonedbloggerNguyenVanHai.DateofBirth:1974Sentence:Sixyearsinprisonandtwoyears’housearrestExpiry:2017Dateofarrest:19September2011Detailsofarrest:Arrestedbyagroupofabout10plain-clothedpolice,whoconfiscatedhiscomputersandaudio-visualequipment.Currentplaceofdetention:DetentionCampZ30A,DistrictXuanLoc,ProvinceDongNai,VietNam.Detailsoftrial:On30October2012,Tranwasconvictedafterafive-hourtrialatHiChiMinhPeople’sCourtof‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’underarticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCode.HewastriedwithsongwriterandperformerVoMinhTri(see‘Maincase’below).Conditionsofdetention:Tranhasreportedlybeendeniedtherighttopracticehisreligioninprison.Healthconcerns:On19March2015Binhwentonhungerstrikefor16daysalongwithhiscellmateDinhNguyenKha(seeabove)andDangXuanDieu(seebelow)inprotestagainstpoorconditions.Accordingtoreports,Binhwashandcuffedandmovedtoanothercellduringthishungerstrike.PENAction:RAN70/12–31October2012

GROUPOFACTIVISTS,BLOGGERSandCITIZENJOURNALISTS

BetweenAugustandDecember2011,thefollowingactivists,bloggersandcitizenjournalists,mostofthemmembersoftheCatholicorganisation,CongregationfortheHolyRedeemer,werearrestedbytheVietnameseauthorities,afterattendingatrainingcourseinBangkokheldbythebannedVietTanpoliticalparty;which,accordingtoHumanRightsWatch,currentlyworksforpeacefulpoliticalreform,democracyandhumanrightsinVietNam.Thegroupof13wereinitiallychargedandlaterprosecutedinoneofthebiggesttrialsinVietNamunderArticle79oftheCriminalCodefor‘carryingoutactivitiesaimedatoverthrowingthepeople’sadministration’.ThecriminalactivitiesthegrouparesaidtohaveengagedinincludewritingcommentariesthatarecriticaloftheGovernmentanddistributingthemontheinternet,aswellasparticipatinginandencouragingpeacefulprotest.On9January2013,thePeople’sCourtofNgheAnprovincesentencedtheactiviststotermsofupto13yearsinprison.On23May2013,onappeal,someoftheirconvictionswerereducedandoneofthebloggerswasgivenasuspendedsentence.Therearereportsthattheseactivistshavebeenfacing

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difficultprisonconditions,andthatsomeofthemhavereceivedlimitedwaterandfood.Thenamesandprisonsentencesarethefollowing:

DANGXuanDieu:Profession:humanrightsactivistandbloggercontributingtoVietNamRedemptoristNews.DateofBirth:1979Sentence:13yearsinprisonandfiveyearsinprobationarydetention.Expiry:July2024Dateofarrest:30July2011Currentplaceofdetention:LabourCamp#5,YenDinhdistrict,ThanhHoaprovince,ViêtNam.Detailsoftrial:Dangwasunabletoappeal,ashesubmittedarequestforanewtrial,whichwasrejectedafterthedeadlineforappealhadpassed.Background:Dangisalsoanengineer,andwasactiveinmobilisingaccesstoeducationforstudentsfromdisadvantagedbackgrounds.Conditionsofdetention:Dangisreportedlyforbiddentopracticehisfaithinprison.Healthconcerns:Alongwithhiscellmates,TranVuAnhBinhandDinhNguyenKha(seeabove),DangreportedlywentonhungerstrikeinMarch2016.Thiswasjustthelatestinaseriesofhungerstrikestotalling15monthsoverthepastfouryears.Hewaslastreportedasweighingonly88lbs(40kg)andhavingbeenfrequentlyexperiencingsignificantdigestiveissuesaswellasarthriticandskinissues.HishealthisreportedtobeincriticalconditionasofJune2015.

HODucHoa:Profession:humanrightsactivist,bloggerandcontributortoVietNamRedemptionistNews.DateofBirth:1974Sentence:13yearsinprisonandfiveyearsinprobationarydetention(aformofhousearrest);convictionupheldonappeal.Expiry:July2024Dateofarrest:30July2011Currentplaceofdetention:CampNamHà–BaSao,KimBangdistrict,HàNamprovince,ViêtNam.Conditionsofdetention:Howasreportedlydeniedtherighttopractisehisreligioninprison.

NGUYENDangMinhMan(f):Profession:humanrightsactivistDateofBirth:1985Sentence:NineyearsinprisonandfiveyearsinprobationarydetentionExpiry:August2020Dateofarrest:2August2011Currentplaceofdetention:CampNamHà–BaSao,KimBangdistrict,HàNamprovince,ViêtNam.Otherinformation:Sheissaidtohavedrafteddocumentsallegedlycontainingdissidentopinion.Healthconcerns:Herhealthisreportedtobedeterioratingfollowingill-treatmentandtwohungerstrikes;oneinDecember2014andthesecondinMarch2015,eachonelasting15days.

NGUYENDinhCuong:Profession:humanrightsactivistandbusinessmanDateofBirth:1981Sentence:Fouryearsinprisonandthreeyearsinprobationarydetention,upheldonappeal.Expiry:2015Dateofarrest:24December2011Currentplaceofdetention:CampNamHà–BaSao,KimBangdistrict,HàNamprovince,ViêtNam.NoOtherinformation:NguyenissaidtohaveworkedfortheJohnPaulIIGroupforPro-Life,andparticipatedinpeacefulprotestsagainstlocalauthorities’arbitraryconfiscationofchurchlands.Healthconcerns:Nguyen’shealthisreportedtohavedeterioratedfollowingill-treatmentandrepeatedhungerstrikesprotestinghisunfairtrial.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

Detained:maincase

DANGPhucTue(religiousname:ThichQuangDo):Profession:Buddhistmonk,writer,scholar.SecretaryGeneraloftheoutlawedInstituteforthePropagationoftheDharma,UnitedBuddhistChurchofVietNam(UBCV).DateofBirth:1928Dateofarrest:9October2003Detailsofarrest:PartofadelegationofnineUBCVleaderswhowereallarrestedon9October2003.ThedelegationhadleftBinhDinhat5.00a.m.on8October2003enroutetoHoChiMinhCitywhensecurityservicesblockedtheirdeparture.Afteraprotestinwhichovertwohundredmonksformedahumanshieldaroundtheirvehicle,thedelegationwasallowedtocontinueitsjourney,onlytomeetanotherpolicebarricadeonthefollowingday,whenallnineUBCVleaderswerearrestedandtakenawayforinterrogation.ThichQuangDowasplacedunderhouse

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arrest.Currentplaceofdetention:ThanhMinhZenMonasteryinHoChiMinhCity.Background:On27June2003,hewasreleasedfroma27-monthdetentionorder.Hehasspentmostofthelast20yearsindetentionorunderresidentialsurveillancebecauseofhiscampaignforreligiousfreedomandfreeexpression.InAugust2008,ThichQuangDowasappointedasthenewPatriarchoftheUBCV.Otherinformation:TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentiondeclaredhisimprisonmentas‘arbitrary’inMay2005.Awards:Laureateofthe2001Hellman/HammetAwardandthe2002CzechHumanRightsHomoHominiAwardforhis‘outstandingmeritsinpromotinghumanrights,democracy,andthenon-violentresolutionofpoliticalconflicts’.Alsoawardedthe2006NorwegianThorolfRaftoHumanRightsPrize.Honorarymemberof:FrenchPEN,GermanPENandPENSweden.

*LEThanhTung:(pen-nameLeAiQuoc)Profession:independentreporterandmemberofthebannedhumanrightsdefendersnetworkBloc8406.DateofBirth:1968Dateofarrest:December2015Detailsofarrest:LewasvariouslyreportedashavingbeenarrestedforviolatingArticle79(carryingoutactivitiesaimedatoverthrowingthepeople’sadministration)orArticle88oftheCriminalCode.Theauthoritiesarereportedtohaveconductedaraidonhishomeon24December2015,confiscatingseveralitemsincludinghiswife’smobiletelephone.Background:Underthepen-nameLeAiQuoc,hewroteseveralonlinearticlesdenouncingviolationsofhumanrights,freedomsofopinionandreligion,anddefendingfarmerswhoselandhadbeenconfiscatedbylocalauthorities.In2008,hewasbrieflyarrestedanddenouncedasa‘traitor’ataso-called‘people’stribunal’forwritingandpublishingonlineseveralarticlesonthesituationofhumanrightsanddemocracy,andanaccountofhislife,entitledMemoirofaFormerVolunteerFighterintheVietnamesePeople’sArmy’.Lewasarrestedon1December2011.In2012,Lewastriedandconvictedof‘ConductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’afteranhour-longhearing(seepreviousCaseListformoreinformation).On29June2015,Lewasreleasedfivemonthsbeforetheendofhisfour-yearprisonterm.

NGUYENVanDai:Profession:citizen-journalist,cyber-activistandhumanrightslawyerDateofarrest:16December2015Detailsofarrest:NguyenVanDaiwastakenintopolicecustodyandhishouseinthecapitalHanoiwassearched,theMinistryofPublicSecuritysaidinabriefstatement.Accordingtoreports,hewasdetainedforspreadingpropagandaagainstthestate,astherulingCommunistPartypreparedforitsfive-yearcongressinJanuary2016.HeisthoughttobebeingheldunderArticle81oftheCriminalProcedureCode,whichallowsforthearrestofpersonsinurgentcases.Currentplaceofdetention:CampNo.14,ThanhChiDistrictdistrictinHanoiBackground:NguyenVanDaiisaleaderofVietNam’spro-democracymovementandasignatoryoftheBloc8406appeal.HeoftenpostsarticlesadvocatingdemocracyonwebsitesbasedoutsideVietNam.Hehadalreadybeenarrestedin2007andsentencedtofiveyearsinprisononchargesofspreadinganti-statepropaganda.Anappealscourtlaterreducedthejailtermtofour-years.On6December2015,hewasreportedlyseverelybeatenbyplainclothespolicemeninthenorthernprovinceofNgheAnafterparticipatinginadiscussionabouthumanrightsinVietNamandthe2013constitution.AfterheleftthemeetingtoreturntoHanoiinataxiwithfellowhumanrightsactivistsLyQuangSon,VuVanMinhandLeManhThang,theywereforcedtostopbymaskedmeninavanandmenonmotorcycles,identifiedbyNguyenVanDaiasplainclothespolicemen.Theydraggedhimtoavehicle,gavehimaseverebeating,tookhismobilephone,walletcontainingabout500dollarsandotherpersonalitems.Afewhourslater,anattemptwasmadetoarresthimashetriedtoreturnhomebybus.Intheend,ittookhimtwodaystoreturntohishomeinHanoi.

TRANAnhKim:Profession:internetwriteranddissident.Formerarmyofficer.Authorofmorethan60articlesandessaysfocusingonhumanrightsandsocialinjustice,secretaryofthebannedVietnameseDemocraticPartyandmemberofbanneddemocracymovementknownasBloc8406.DateofBirth:1949Dateofarrest:21September2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtoreports,Tranwasarrestedon21

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September2015.AuthoritiesarethoughttohavechargedhimunderArticle79oftheCriminalCode(carryingoutactivitiesaimedatoverthrowingthepeople’sadministration).Reportsstatethathislaptop,mobilephone,andsomefilesweretakenfromhisresidence.LocalnewsreportTranisbeingheldinpolicecellsinThaiBinhprovince.Placeofdetention:B14DetentionCamp,ThanhLietvillage,ThanhTridistrict,HanoiBackground:On7January2015,TranAnhKimwasreleasedfromjailunderaprobationarydetentionofthreeyearsaftercompletingafive-and-a-half-yearterm.Hehadbeenarrestedon7July2009togetherwithfourotheractivistsandchargedwith‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’underarticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCodeandof‘carryingoutactivitiesaimedatoverthrowingthepeople’sadministration’underarticle79oftheCriminalCodeforhispro-democracyactivitieson29April2010.TranAnhKimwasknownfordraftingandcirculatingpetitionsprotestinginjusticeandcorruptionintheVietnameseCommunistParty.In1991,hewasbrieflydetainedandaccusedof‘abuseofpowertostealpublicwealth.’Hewasarrestedagainin1994andsentencedtotwoyearsinprison.Hewasreleasedafteroneyear.HewasamemberoftheeditorialboardoftheundergroundjournalFatherland.Awards:Recipientofthe2009Hellman/HammettAward.PENActionRAN49/09-15September2009Ontrial

KimQuocHOA:Profession:formereditor-in-chiefofthestate-controlledmagazineTheElderlyDetailsoftrial:On13May2015,Hoawaschargedwith‘revealingconfidentialinformationrelatedtonationalsecurity’and‘abusingfreedomsanddemocraticrightsinpublishingarticlesthatdisseminatedfalseinformation’,acriminaloffenceunderArticle258ofVietNam’sCriminalCode.Heisnotincustody,andreportsdidnotsaywhenhistrialisduetobegin.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:TheElderlyhadinrecentmonthspublishedseveralreportsonofficialcorruption.InMarch2015,theMinistryofInformationandCommunicationsorderedHoatoberemovedfromhispositionafteraninvestigationrevealedhehadpublished11articlesbetween2013and2014thatallegedhe‘distortedfactsandslanderedindividualsandorganisations,’accordingtonewsreports.AuthoritiesalsoshutdownTheElderly’swebsite.

LEHongTho:Profession:bloggerDateofarrest:20November2014Dateofrelease:11February2015Detailsofarrest:HongwasreportedlyarrestedathishomeinHoChiMinhCity,duetothecontentofablogpost,underArticle258oftheCriminalCodefor‘abusingfreedomanddemocracytoinfringeupontheinterestofthestate’.Aged65atthetimeofhisarrest,HongblogsforNguoiLotGach(abricklayer),whereheissaidtohavepostedcommentsregardingtheChineseclaimsoverVietnameseterritory.Ifchargedandfoundguilty,Hongcouldfaceuptosevenyearsinprison.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Detailsofrelease:On11February2015,Lewasreleasedintohousearrestformedicalreasons.Heremainsunderinvestigationforthepreviouscharges.

NGUYENQuangLap(aka:BoLap):Profession:blogger,journalistandwriterDateofarrest:6December2014Dateofrelease:10February2015Detailsofarrest:ArrestedathishomeinHoChiMinhCity,reportedlyfor‘abusingfreedomanddemocracytoinfringeupontheinterestofthestate’Detailsofrelease:On10February2015Nguyenwasreleasedintohousearrestformedicalreasonsashehasaparalysedarmandalegasaresultofastroke.Detailsoftrial:HeisstillunderinvestigationunderArticle258oftheCriminalCodeBackground:NguyenissaidtohavebeenintheArmyinthe1980s,foraboutfiveyears.HethenstartedhiscareerasajournalistandbecamethedeputyeditorofthemagazineCuaViet,whichwasclosedbytheauthoritiesallegedlyforthemagazine’spro-democracyline.Helaterwrotesomeplays,filmscripts,acollectionofstoriesandanovel.Heisanaward-winningwriterandamemberoftheVietnameseWriters’Association.In2007hestartedblogginginQueChoa(Dad’sHomeland),

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whichissaidtobeoneofthemostpopularblogsinsideandoutsideVietNam.Inrecentyears,thebloghassufferedcyber-attacks,butitcontinuestobeactiveandpopular.

Harassed

*NGUYENAnhTuan:Profession:bloggerDateofharassment:31January2016Detailsofharassment:NguyenAnhTuanwasreportedlydetainedbypoliceafterdisembarkingfromhisflightatDaNangairport.Hewasreleasedintheearlyhoursofthefollowingmorning.Background:NguyenAnhTuanhadspentthreeyearsabroadstudying,doinghumanrightsworkandworkingasaninternforanAustralianlawmaker.NguyenAnhTranblogsforRadioFreeAsia.

*TRANMinhNhat:Profession:Humanrightsactivist,contributortotheVietNamRedemptoristNews.StudentoftheHoChiMinhCityUniversityofForeignLanguagesandInformationTechnology.DateofBirth:1988DateofHarassment:from27August2015Detailsofharassment:TheharassmentofTranandhisfamily,whichbeganimmediatelyfollowinghisreleasefromprison(see‘Conditionalrelease’below),appearstohaveescalatedin2016;maskedassailantsthrewstonesathisfamily’shomeonfiveseparateoccasionsinFebruaryalone.Inaddition,Tranreportedthatthefamily’scropsweresprayedwithpesticidescausingcropstodieandirrigationequipmentwasdamaged.Furthermore,twoofTran’sbrothersfacedthreatsandharassment;on13February,LamHapoliceofficersreportedlythreatenedtoburndownhiselderbrother’shome.Tran’sfamilyareparticularlyconcernedatsuchthreatsinlightofafirenexttoTran’sfamilyhomeintheearlyhoursof10February2016whenapileofdriedcoffeeplantscaughtfire.Thefirewassolargethatittookeightpeoplethreehourstocontainit.AlthoughthereasonsforthefirearenotknowntoPEN,Tran’sfamilybelievedthatthepilemayhavebeensetalightintentionally.On22February2016,TranMinhNhatsufferedaheadinjuryafteranassailantinplainclothes–whoTranbelievestobelongtothelocalLamHapolice–threwstonesathim.Reportsindicatethathewaspreventedfromseekingfurthermedicalassistanceatahospitalafterhewasconfrontedontheroadbythesamegroupofassailants.Theharassmentisreportedtohaveendedfollowinginternationalattention.Background:Tranhasbeenunderhousearrestsince27August2015,followinghisreleasefromprisonafterservingafour-yearsentence.SinceTran’sreleasefromprison,heandhisfamilyhavefacedfrequentandvaryingactsofharassmentandintimidationatthehandsoftheauthoritiesinLamHadistrict,LamDongProvinceandotherunidentifiedassailants.InNovember2015,Tranwasreportedlyphysicallyattackedbylocalpolicewhiledetainedinapolicestation,afterhereturnedhomefrommedicalchecksinHoChiMinhCity.Tranwasaccusedofviolatinghisprobation;however,hearguesthathehadreportedthathewouldbetravellingtothecityformedicaltreatmenttotheauthorities.PENAction:RAN06/16–8March2016

Conditionalrelease

DINHVanNhuong:Profession:humanrightsactivistanddissidentwriterDateofBirth:1958.Dateofarrest:7June2011Dateofrelease:releasedfromprisonon6June2015intoprobationarydetention(housearrest)Sentence:FouryearsinprisonandthreeyearsofprobationarydetentionDetailsoftrial:On16July2012,Dinhwasconvictedafteraone-daytrialinBacGiangprovinceunderarticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCodefor‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’.Hewastriedforpublishingcriticalarticlesonline,allegedlycontainingdefamatorycommentstothereputationoftheCommunistpartyanditsleaders,illegallandexpropriationandgivinginterviewstooverseasVietnamese-languagemedia.TriedtogetherwithDoVanHoaandNguyenKimNhan.Detailsofrelease:On6June2015,DinhVanNhuongwasreleasedoncompletionofhisfour-yearprisonsentence.Followinghisrelease,heisrequiredtoservethreeyearsofprobationarydetention.

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DOVanHoa:Profession:humanrightsactivistanddissidentwriterDateofBirth:1966Dateofarrest:7June2011Dateofrelease:6June2015Sentence:Fouryearsinprisonandthreeyearsofprobationarydetention.Detailsoftrial:On16July2012,Dowasconvictedafteraone-daytrialinBacGiangprovinceunderarticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCodefor‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’.HewastriedforpublishingcriticalarticlesonlineallegedlycontainingdefamatorycommentstothereputationoftheCommunistpartyanditsleaders,illegallandexpropriationandgivinginterviewstooverseasVietnamese-languagemedia.Detailsofrelease:On6June2015,DoVanHoawasreleasedoncompletionofhisfour-yearprisonsentence.Followinghisrelease,heisrequiredtoservethreeyearsofprobationarydetention.

HOThiBichKhuong(f):Profession:internetwriterandhumanrightsactivistDateofBirth:1967Dateofarrest:15November2011Dateofrelease:15January2016Sentence:Fiveyearsinprisonandthreeyears’probationarydetention.Expiry:2016Detailsofarrest:Howasarrestedbythepublicsecuritypoliceafterasearchofherhouse,whereagentsconfiscatedmanyitems,includingbooksandcomputers.Detailsoftrial:Howastriedon29December2011,atNgheAnPeople’sCourt,for‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’underArticle88-1(c)oftheCriminalCode.Detailsofrelease:Howasreportedlyreleasedfromprisonon15January2016.Atthetimeofherrelease,itwasunclearwhereHowouldgoastheVietnamesegovernmenthasconfiscatedherhouseandland.Shehasthreeyearsofprobationarydetentiontoserve.Background:HoThiBichKhuongservedtwopreviousprisonsentences,in2005and2007,afterconvictionofoffencesunderarticle245oftheCriminalCode(Causingpublicdisorder),andarticle258(AbusingdemocraticfreedomstoinfringeupontheinterestoftheState),respectively.Shehasalsobeenattacked,threatenedandsubjecttobriefdetentions.Otherinformation:Ho’swritingsurgedthereleaseofprisonersofconscienceandpoliticaldetainees,andpromotingfreedomofexpression,religionandassociation.Shewroteamemoirofhertimeinprisonwhichwaspublishedin2009byNguoiVietOnline,aVietnamese-AmericannewspaperintheUnitedStates.ShehasalsowrittensomesatiricalpoemsandwasamemberoftheprodemocracymovementBloc8406.Awards:Hoistherecipientofthe2011Hellman/Hammett2011award.

LEVanSonPaulus:Profession:blogger,writerandChristianactivist.DateofBirth:1985Sentence:13yearsinprisonandfiveyearsinprobationarydetention,reducedonappealtofouryearsinprisonandfouryearsofprobationarydetention.Dateofarrest:3August2011Dateofrelease:Releasedfromprisonon3August2015intoprobationarydetention(aformofhousearrest)Detailsofarrest:On3August2015,LeVanSonPauluswasreleasedoncompletionofhisfour-yearprisonsentence.Followinghisrelease,heisrequiredtoservefouryearsinprobationarydetentionOtherinformation:LeVanSonwritesforhisblogpaulusleson.worldpress.com/andcontributestothecollectiveblogBaokhongleandVietNamRedemptoristNews.Previously,hesignedapetitionforthereleaseofthedissidentwriterCuHuyHaVu,(seeabove),andcoveredhistrialinApril2011.HeisalsoacommunityorganiseronmattersthatincludeHIVandpubliceducation.

NGUYENVanDuyet:Profession:humanrightsactivistandcitizenjournalistwritingforthemedianetworkandcontributingtoVietNamRedemptoristNews.DateofBirth:1980Sentence:Sixyearsinprisonandfouryearsinprobationarydetention(aformofhousearrest);prisontermreducedonappealtothree-and-a-halfyears.Dateofarrest:7August2011Dateofrelease:30January2015Detailsofrelease:Oneweekbeforecompletionofhissentence,Nguyenwasreleasedfromprisonduetothelossofhisfather.Otherinformation:NguyenisPresidentoftheAssociationofCatholicWorkersofVinhcityinHanoi.HeissaidtohavecoveredthetrialofdissidentwriterCuHuyHaVu(seeabove).

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NGUYENVanLy:Profession:priest,scholar,essayistandco-editoroftheundergroundonlinemagazineTuDoNgonluan(FreeSpeech).DateofBirth:1946Sentence:Eightyearsinprisonandfiveyearsofprobationarydetention(aformofhousearrest).Dateofarrest:19February2007Dateofrelease:20May2016Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedon19February2007duringan‘administrativecheck’atthearchdiocesanbuildingwherehelivesinthecityofHue.TwoothereditorsofTuDoNgonluan,FatherChanTinandFatherPhanVanLoi,werereportedlyalsoplacedunderhousearrest.Detailsofrelease:NguyenVanLywasreleasedfromthelabourcampon20May2016,onemonthearly.Henowfacesfiveyearsofprobationarydetention,partoftheoriginalsentence.NguyenVanLy’shealthisreportedtohaveseverelydeterioratedinprison.Detailsoftrial:On30March2007,aPeople’sCourtinHue(CentralVietNam)sentencedFatherNguyenVanLyunderArticle88oftheCriminalCodefor‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’.Videofootageofhissentencingisavailablehere.Healthconcerns:NguyenVanLyreportedlysufferedastrokeinprisonon14November2009.Healsosuffersfromanumberofotherhealthcomplaints.On15March2010NguyenVanLywasreleasedprovisionallyonmedicalgrounds.ThedecisionwastakenbytheSupremeJudgeofthePeople’sCourtinHaNamprovince,whoorderedtotemporarilydeferNguyenVanLy’simprisonmentforoneyearashewasinurgentneedofmedicaltreatmentwhichisunavailableinprison.On25July2011,Lywasreturnedtothelabourcamptocontinueservinghissentence.Otherinformation:InSeptember2010,theUnitedNationsWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentioncalledfortheimmediateandunconditionalreleaseofNguyenVanLy,whoitsaidhadbeenarbitrarilyandillegallydetainedanddeniedaccesstolegalcounselbytheVietnameseauthorities.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Lyisaleadingmemberofthepro-democracymovement‘Bloc8406’.Hewaspreviouslydetainedfrom1977-1978,andagainfrom1983-1992forhisactivisminsupportoffreedomofexpressionandreligion.HewassentencedagaininOctober2001to15yearsinprisonforhisonlinepublicationofanessayonhumanrightsviolationsinVietNam,andwasamaincaseofPENInternational.ThesentencewascommutedseveraltimesandhewasreleasedunderamnestyinFebruary2005.Awards:InJuly2008NguyenVanLyreceivedtheHellman/Hammettawardinrecognitionofhisworkinthefaceofpersecution.HewasnominatedfortheSakharovPrizeforFreedomofThought2009and2010.Honorarymember:SydneyPEN.PENActions:RAN12/07-28February2007;update#1-7March2007;updates#2–3April2007;RAN06/14;Update#2toRAN06/14–26May2016

NGUYENVanOai:Profession:humanrightsactivist,citizenjournalistcontributortoVietNamRedemptoristNews.DateofBirth:1981Sentence:Fouryearsinprisonandfouryearsinprobationarydetention.Dateofarrest:30July2011Dateofrelease:2August2015Detailsofrelease:On2August2015,NguyenVanOaiwasreleasedoncompletionofhisfour-yearprisonsentence.Followinghisrelease,heisrequiredtoservefouryearsinprobationarydetention.

THAIVanDung:Profession:humanrightsactivistandblogger.DateofBirth:1988Sentence:Fouryearsinprisonandthreeyearsinprobationarydetention,confirmedonappeal.Dateofarrest:19August2011Dateofrelease:19August2015Detailsofrelease:On19August2015,ThaiVanDungwasreleaseduponcompletionofhisprisonsentence.Heisrequiredtoservethreeyearsinprobationarydetention.

TRANMinhNhat:Profession:Humanrightsactivist,contributortotheVietNamRedemptoristNews.StudentoftheHoChiMinhCityUniversityofForeignLanguagesandInformationTechnology.DateofBirth:1988Sentence:FouryearsinprisonandthreeyearsinprobationarydetentionDateofarrest:27August2011Dateofrelease:27August2015Detailsofrelease:On27August2015,TranMinhNhatwasreleaseduponcompletionofhisprisonsentenceintoprobationarydetention–aformofhousearrest.Update:SinceTran’sreleasefromprison,heandhisfamilyhavefacedfrequentandvaryingactsofharassmentandintimidationatthehandsoftheauthoritiesinLamHadistrict,LamDong

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Provinceandotherunidentifiedassailants.Forfurtherdetails,seeentryunderharassmentabove.PENAction:RAN06/16–8March2016

VOMinhTri(akaMinhTriandViêtKhang):Profession:songwriterandperformerDateofBirth:19January1978Sentence:Fouryearsinprisonandtwo-yearprobationaryperiod.Dateofarrest:23December2011Dateofrelease:Releasedfromprisonon10December2015intoprobationarydetention(housearrest)Detailsofarrest:Arrestedon16September2011andheldforaweek.Re-arrestedinDecember2011athishomebypublicsecuritypolice.Hiscomputerandrecordingequipmentwereseizedbythepolice.Detailsofrelease:VoMinhTriwasreleasedon10December2015afterservinghisfullfour-yearsentence.Policeescortedhimtohisfamily’shomenearHoChiMinhCity.Heisnowrequiredtoserveouttwoyearsinprobationarydetention.Detailsofthetrial:On30October2012,Vowassentencedafterafive-hourtrialatHoChiMinhPeople’sCourtfor‘conductingpropagandaagainsttheSocialistRepublicofVietNam’underArticle88oftheCriminalCode.VowastriedwithsongwriterandbloggerTranVuAnhBinh(seeabove).Otherinformation:InApril2011,Voandotheryoungprofessionals,studentsandactivistsfoundedtheorganisationTuoiTreYeuNuoc(YoungPatriots),ahumanrightsdefenders’group.Vo’slyricsandwritingshavebeenpublishedinthegroup’swebsiteswww.tuoitreyeunuoc.comandwww.tuoitreyeunuoc.net.Thegroupadvocatesforrespectforissuesincludinghumanrightsanddemocraticreforms.Withthatspirit,Vo’ssongsWhoareyou?,WhereismyVietNam?andTheMotherintheMekongDelta,amongothers,quicklyspreadoninternetsites.PENActionRAN70/12–31October2012

EUROPEandCENTRALASIA

AZERBAIJANPresidentAliyev’sgovernmenthasengagedinadeliberatestrategytolimitdissent.Thesituationhasworsenedconsiderablyinrecentyears,andthepresidentialelectionsofOctober2013triggeredanewwaveofrepressionwhichcontinuestoday.TheAzerbaijaniauthoritieshavejailed(oftenontrumpedupchargesrelatingtodrugsorfirearmsoffences),blackmailedorotherwiseharassedscoresofindependentjournalists,politicalactivistsandemployeesofnon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs).Theyhavealsoviolentlybrokenuppeacefulpoliticalralliesandimposedlegislationrestrictingtherightstofreeexpressionandfreeassembly.AtPENInternational’sWorldCongressinBishkek,Kyrgyzstan,2014,aresolutiononAzerbaijanreflectingconcernattheworseningfreedomofexpressionsituationwaspassedbytheAssemblyofDelegates.InApril2015,theOSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediaDunjaMijatovićhighlightedthecontinueddetentionofPENcasesKhadijaIsmayilova,SeymurKhaziyev,OmarMamedov,AbdulAbilov,ParvizHashimli,NijatAliyevandRashadRamazanov(seebelow)asbeingsymptomaticofAzerbaijan’scontinuingassaultonfreespeech.Thereareworryingsignsthatapatternmaybeemergingwherecriticaljournalistsdieinsuspiciouscircumstancesandwherenooneisbroughttojusticefortheirdeaths.In2015,theECHRdealtwith153applicationsconcerningAzerbaijan,ofwhich123weredeclaredinadmissibleorstruckout.Itdelivered19judgments(concerning30applications),whichfoundatleastoneviolationoftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights,comparedto11applicationsdecidedin2014and13decidedin2013.2016hasseensomewelcomereleases,includingunderaPresidentialdecreeinMarch,butotherjournalistsandwritershavebeenarrestedsince.

Killed:Impunity

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RasimALIYEV:Profession:sportsjournalistandChairoftheInstituteforReporters’FreedomandSafety(IFRS),theleadingmediamonitoringgroupinAzerbaijanDateofdeath:9August2015Detailsofdeath:On8August2015,AliyevwasbeatenbysixmeninabusyBakusquare.Someonewhoclaimedtobethecousinofafootballerwhoseconductonthepitchhecriticizedcalledhimandverballyabusedhimtwice,beforecallingagaintosuggestthattheymeetsohecouldapologisetoAliyev.WhenAliyevwenttomeettheman,hewasbeatenfrombehindasheexitedhiscar.Thejournalistdiedthefollowingdayinthehospital.Detailsofinvestigation:InAugust2015policearrestedtheinternationalfootballerwhosesupportersandfamily,accordingtoAliyev,beathimandprovokedhisdeath.Fiveothersuspectswerealsoarrested.Update:Itwasreportedon1April2016thatfivemenhadbeenfoundguiltyofgrievousbodilyharmcausingdeathandweresentencedtoupto13yearsinjail.Thefootballplayerwaschargedwithnotreportingacrimeunderarticles307.1and307.2oftheCriminalCode,andwassentencedtofouryearsinprisonon31May2016.Background:AliyevcriticisedanAzerbaijaniinternationalfootballerinaFacebookposton17August2015.Hesubsequentlyreceivedphonecalls,seeminglyfromtheplayer’sfamilyandagreedtomeetinabusysquareinBaku.Aliyevhadpreviouslyreportedreceivingthreatsafterpostingphotographsshowingpolicebrutality.Otherinformation:MentionedinEuropeanParliamentResolutiononAzerbaijanSeptember2015.InAugust2016,theInstituteforReportersFreedomandSafetyissuedareportentitled:TheUnsolvedMurderofRasimAliyev,raisingquestionsaboutthemedicalcarehereceivedandtheprocessoftheinvestigation.

RafiqTAGI:Profession:journalistDateofbirth:5August1950Dateofdeath:23November2011Detailsofdeath:Diedinhospitalafterhehadbeenattackedwhilereturninghomefromworkon19November2011.Althoughthemotivefortheattackremainsunknown,itisreportedthatitmayhavebeenrelatedtoanarticleTagipublishedon10November2011,entitled‘IranandtheInevitabilityofGlobalisation,’inwhichhecriticisedtheIraniangovernmentanddescribedthreatsmadeagainstAzerbaijanbyIranas‘ridiculous’.Detailsofinvestigation:acriminalinvestigationintothecrimewaslaunchedbytheKhataiDistrictProsecutor’sOfficeinNovember2011.InFebruary2012,mediareportsstatedthattheauthoritiesruledoutmedicalnegligenceasacontributoryfactor,whichwascriticisedbyTagi’sfamilymembers.Theinvestigationwasreportedlysuspendedon8January2014,owingtothe‘non-establishmentofthepersonsubjecttoprosecution.’On8January2015,Tagi’slawyerannouncedonFacebookthattheProsecutor-General'sOfficehadinformedhiminwritingthattheprobeintoTagi'sdeathhadended.Nofurtherinformationwasgiven.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016Background:Tagi,aformerPENmaincase,waspreviouslyarrestedinNovember2006foranarticleentitled‘EuropeandUs,’publishedinSanatnewspaper,andforwhichhewasaccusedofinsultingtheProphetMohammad.FollowingthepublicationofthearticletheGrandAyatollahFazilLankaraniofIranissuedafatwacallingforTagi’sdeath.HewassentencedtothreeyearsinprisonforthearticleunderArticle283oftheAzerbaijaniCriminalCodefor‘incitingnational,racialandreligiousenmity’.Followingsignificantinternationalpressure,Tagiwasgrantedamnestyon28December2007.

Imprisoned:MainCase

Arshad(orErshad)IBRAHIMOV:Profession:freelancejournalistandformerjournalistforAzadliqSentence:11yearsinprisonDateofarrest:18June2014Detailsofarrest:reportedlyplacedunderpre-trialdetentionbytheGanjaCityNizamidistrictCourtofGraveCrimeson18June2014.ReportedlyarrestedattherequestoftheformerheadoftheeducationdepartmentinKalbajarregion,againstwhomacriminalcasewaslaunchedinApril2014bytheCorruptionDepartmentoftheGeneralProsecutor’sOffice.Ibrahimov’s

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articlesreportedlyallegethatcorruptiontookplaceintheeducationdepartmentwhileBagirovheadedit.ThesearticlesreportedlyprovokedthecurrentcaseagainstBagirov.Sentencedto11yearsinjailonchargesofextortioninAugust2014.Detailsoftrial:chargedunderarticle182oftheCriminalCode(extortionbythreats).TheProsecutorGeneral’sOfficesaidthatIbrahimovdemandedAZN30,000fromBagirovin2012-2013andthatwhenBagirovdidnotpayhim,on13April2013IbrahimovpostedaYoutubevideoentitled‘FormerheadofKalbajarRegionDepartmentofEducationMamedBaghirovrapeda17-year-oldgirl’.PENAction:MentionedinaJanuary2016jointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.Onthebasisoftheavailableevidence,thereisaclearpatternoftheAzerbaijaniauthoritiesusingdrugs,firearms,‘hooliganism’ortaxevasionchargestoarrestandimprisonwritersandjournalistswhocriticisetheauthorities.On12November2015,theEuropeanCourtofHumanRightsruledthatjournalist,satiristandpoetSakitZakhidovhadnotreceivedafairtrial.Hewasconvictedofpossessionofdrugsbuthadclaimedtheyhadbeenplantedonhimbypolicefollowinghisarrest.Thefollowingcasesallfollowthispattern,anduntilPENreceivesinformationtothecontrary,wewillregardthemasMainCases.

AbdulABILOV:Profession:asocialmediaactivistandblogger,administratorofthecriticalFacebookpages‘Yaltaqlaradurdeyək!’(‘Stopthoseflatteringtheregime!’)and‘Seçkisaxtakarlığı’(‘ElectionFraud’)Sentence:FiveandahalfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:22November2013Detailsofarrest:AbdulAbilovwasarrestedinBaku.PoliceclaimedthatdrugswerefoundbothinAbilov’spocketandathishome.BothFacebookpageswereshutdownshortlyafterpoliceseizedhiscomputerduringasearchofhishome.Currentplaceofdetention:PenalColony13,QaradagregionDetailsoftrial:chargedwithpossessionofdrugs.Abilovreportedlysaysthatthedrugswereplantedandthatduringhisinterrogationpoliceaskedhimquestionsonlyabouthiscriticalposts,politicalactivism,andrelationshiptotheoppositionPopularFrontParty.Heallegesthathewasdeniedaccesstoalawyerofhisownchoosingduringinitialpoliceinterrogationandathispre-trialdetentionhearing.On27May2014,theGraveCrimesCourtsentencedAbilovtofiveandahalfyearsinprison.HisappealwasrejectedinNovember2014.Update:AccordingtotheAzerbaijanFreeExpressionPlatform,heappealedtotheSupremeCourtbuthisappealwasrejectedinFebruary2015.HewasnotreleasedaspartoftheMarch2016PresidentialdecreeandlodgedacaseattheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightson16April2016.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.ConditionsofDetention:InFebruary2015,accordingtoreports,hewasplacedinsolitaryconfinementforonedayasapunishmentforhavinglunchwithanotherpoliticalprisoner.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatovićOSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediahasreferredtohiscaseinseveralstatements,includinginMay2015whenshecalledforthereleaseofallimprisonedjournalistsinAzerbaijan.MijatovićmentionedhiminMarch,callingforthereleaseofallremainingmembersofthemediaandbloggersstillheldaftertheMarch2016presidentialdecree.InSeptember2014,theEuropeanParliamentpassedaresolutiononthehumanrightssituationinAzerbaijanreferringtohiscase.

NijatALIYEV:Profession:editor-in-chiefofazadxeber.netDateofarrest:20May2012Sentence:10yearsinprisonCurrentplaceofdetention:PrisonNo.2Detailsofarrest:ArrestednearMemarAjamimetrostationindowntownBakuwhilehewasdistributingCDsabouthousedemolitionsintherun-uptotheEurovisionSongContest,thentakentoTasamaldistrictpoliceofficeandgiventwomonth’spre-trialdetention.Thiswasextendedbyamonthatahearingon16October2012.Ata29October2012hearing,Aliyev’sappealagainsthiscontinuedpre-trialdetentionwasrejected.Hispre-trialdetentiontermwasextendedfortwomonthsbyNasimiDistrictCourton15February2013.Aliyev’slawyerhassaidthatofficersbeatAliyevwhilstincustody,andthattheyhadalsotriedtocoercehimintomakinga‘confession’.ThepoliceallegedlytoldAliyevthatifhedidnotadmittothedrug-

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relatedcharges,theywouldsentencehimtomorethanfiveyearsinprison,undermoreseriouscharges.Detailsoftrial:initiallychargedwithpossessionofillegaldrugs(Article234.1oftheCriminalCodeofAzerbaijan),threeotherchargeswerebroughtagainsthimsomeninemonthslater:‘distributingorsellingreligiousliterature,goodsoranyotherreligiousinformationalcontentasapersonoraspartofagroupwithoutspecialdispensation(article167.2.2.1oftheCriminalCode);andpubliclycallingfortheoverthrowofthegovernment,theconstitutionandtheterritorialintegrityoftheRepublicofAzerbaijanbyforce(Article281.2).Hewasalsochargedwithincitementtoethnichatredbyusingmassmediaaspartofanorganisedgroup(Article283.2.3).Aliyevdeniedthechargesandclaimedthedrugshadbeenplantedinhishouse.Ahearingtookplaceon30May2013attheBakuGraveCrimesCourt.Duetotheallegedbeatingofthejournalistwhilstindetention,hislawyerfiledapetitionrequestingthecourttoarrangeaforensicmedicalexaminationforthejournalist;itwasgranted.However,atanotherhearingofthecaseattheBakuGraveCrimesCourton27June2013,Aliyev’slawyerstatedthattheexaminationofhisclienthadtakenplacewithoutthepresenceoflegalrepresentation,andthatbecauseofthis,hisclienthadrefusedtocomplyfully.Thelawyerallegedthatirregularitiessuchastheseweredelaytacticstoallowthesignsoftorturetofade.Hewassentencedto10yearsinprisonon9December2013.HisappealagainsthisconvictionwasdismissedbyaBakucourton27June2014.Update:HewasnotincludedintheMarch2016presidentialdecree.On7April2016,theSupremeCourtrejectedhisappeal;hislawyerwasunabletogetacopyoftheverdictby6July2016whichthelawyerbelievedwasinordertopreventhimfrombringingacasetotheEuropeanCourtonHumanRights.Background:SomeinternationalandlocalhumanrightsgroupsbelievethatNijatAliyevwasarrestedforcriticisingAzerbaijan’shostingoftheEurovisionSongContest,includingthehighexpenditureinvolved.HealsoallegedlywrotearticlescriticisingaproposedgayprideparadeinAzerbaijan.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatovićOSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediahasreferredtohiscaseinseveralstatements,mostrecentlyinMay2015whenshecalledforthereleaseofallimprisonedjournalistsinAzerbaijan.PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

ArazGULIYEV:Profession:editorinchiefoftheIslamicnewswebsite,xeber44.comSentence:eightyearsinprisonDateofarrest:8September2012Detailsofarrest:ThejournalistwasarrestedwhilereportingonaprotestinthecityofMassally,whereresidentswereallegedlyangryatthedresscodeoffestivaldancers.Currentplaceofdetention:PrisonNo.14,outsideBaku,Detailsoftrial:Originallyarrestedonhooliganismcharges.Guliyevwasconvictedandsentencedon5April2013bytheLankaranCourtofGraveCrimes.Hewasconvictedofillegalpossessionoffirearms(Article228.1oftheCriminalCode),organisingandparticipatinginapublicorderdisturbance(Article233),incitingnational,racialorreligioushatred(Article283.1),resistingtheauthoritiesinamannerdangeroustolifeorhealth(Article315.2)andinsultingtherepublic’sflagandinsignia(Article324).Guliyev’slawyerclaimedthatthepoliceplantedagrenadeonthejournalistwhenhewasarrestedandthathewasbeatenanddeniedaccesstolegaladvice.GuliyevisthebrotherofNazimGuliyev(seebelow).Guliyevrejectedallofthecharges,claimingthathewasarrestedforhisjournalisticandreligiousactivities.On30May2013theShirvanCityAppellateCourtheldapreliminaryappealhearing.Thehearingwasheldinabsentia.Thejournalist’slawyerFarizNamazlifiledapetitionforpartialreconsideration,indicatingthatArazGuliyevhadnotseenthepersonsallegedtobevictimsofhisallegedactionsduringhistrial;Guliyevsaidhedidnotknowthepersonsinvolved.On5July2014,theSupremeCourtrejectedhisappealagainsthisconvictionandsentence.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatovic,OSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMedia,mentionedGuliyevinastatementcallingforAzerbaijantoreleaseallmembersofthemediaandbloggersstillimprisonedaftertheMarchpresidentialdecree.PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

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FarajKARIMOV:Profession:bloggerSentence:Threeyearsinprison(reducedfromsixandahalfyearsonappeal)Dateofarrest:23July2014Detailsofarrest:Onthemorningofthedayofhisarrest,Karimovcalledhisfatherandstatedthatpeoplewearingcivilianclotheswerefollowinghim.Shortlyafter,Karimovwasnolongercontactablebyphone.HisfatheralertedMinistryofInternalAffairs’officials,buttheyfailedtoprovideinformationaboutthewhereaboutsofhisson.LaterthatdayitwasannouncedthatKarimovhadbeendetainedondrugschargesanditemergedhewasheldattheOrganizedCrimeUnitoftheMinistryofInternalAffairs.Currentplaceofdetention:transferredtotheBakuDetentionFacilityon30July2014Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,Karimovwasvisitedbyhislawyeron2Augustafterbeingheldincommunicadofor10days.Karimovtoldhislawyerthathehadbeenbeatenbypolicetomakehimadmittodrug-relatedcharges.Hewasthreatenedthatunlesshesigneda‘confession’,policewould‘causeproblemstohisparents’byplantingweaponsattheirhouse.Althoughheldondrug-relatedcharges,Karimovwasquestionedabouthispoliticalandsocialactivities.PoliceaskedhimabouttheFacebookgroupsandpageshemanages,whicharewell-knownfortheircriticismoftheAzerbaijanigovernment.HewasalsoaskedforinformationabouthisfellowactivistsattheoppositionpoliticalpartyMusavat.Detailsoftrial:Karimovwaschargedwithillegalmanufacture,production,acquisitionandpossessionofdrugs(Article234.4.3oftheCriminalCode).HistrialbeforetheBakuGraveCrimesCourtbeganon18March2015andon6May2015hewassentencedtosixandahalfyearsinprison.Update:HewasnotreleasedaspartoftheMarch2016presidentialdecree.On24May2016,theSupremeCourtamendedthechargetoanoffenceunderarticle234.1(illegalpurchaseorpossessionofdrugsforpersonalconsumption),andreducedhissentencetothreeyearsofimprisonment.HislawyersaidhewouldlodgeanappealtotheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightsforhisfullacquittal.Background:Karimovisawell-knownbloggerandadministerofthehighlypopular‘Basta!’(‘Enough!’)and‘Istefa’(‘Resign’)Facebookpages.TheFacebookpages,withthousandsoffollowers,servedasplatformsforcriticismagainsthumanrightsviolations,socialproblems,andcorruption.HeisalsoamemberoftheoppositionpoliticalpartyMusavatandmanagerofMusavatParty’sofficialwebsite.Karimov’sbrother,SirajKarimov,whowasarrestedsixdaysearlierclaimedthathewaspressuredtosigna‘confession’todrug-relatedchargesandwasaskedquestionsbypoliceabouthisbrother’sactivities.Hisfamilybelievesthathewastargetedforhisbrother’sactivism.SirajKarimovwasacquittedintheSupremeCourtrulingofMay2016.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatović,OSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediahasreferredtohiscaseinseveralstatements,mostrecentlyinMay2015whenshecalledforthereleaseofallimprisonedjournalistsinAzerbaijan.InSeptember2014,theEuropeanParliamentpassedaresolutiononthehumanrightssituationinAzerbaijanreferringtohiscase.SeymurKHAZIYEV(alsoknownasSeymurHeziorHazi):Profession:reporterwiththeoppositiondailyAzadliq,presenteroftheprogramme‘AzerbaycanSaati’broadcastviatheInternetandbysatelliteSentence:FiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:29August2014Detailsofarrest:HewasarrestednearhishomeinthevillageofJeyranbatan,ontheoutskirtsofBaku,afteranaltercationwithathen-unidentifiedman.Khaziyevwasassaultedbytheotherman,anddefendedhimselfusingabottlehewasholding.Hisattacker,MaherramHasanov,wasinturnarrestedon3Septemberandchargedwithhooliganism.Khaziyev'slawyerandcolleaguesarguedthathehadbeenprovokedandHasanovwasarrestedmerelytogivetheimpressionthattheinvestigationwasfair.Hewasplacedinpre-trialdetentionfortwomonthson30August2014.Detailsoftrial:Hewaschargedunderarticle221.3ofthecriminalcodewith‘aggravatedhooliganism’.On29January2015hewasconvictedandsentencedtofiveyearsinprison.Update:On15April2016,theSupremeCourtupheldhisconvictionandsentence.Khaziyev’slawyerannouncedthatheintendedtoappealtotheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights(ECtHR).Background:InMarch2011,Khaziyevwasabductedandtorturedforseveralhoursbyunidentifiedmenwhoadvisedhimtobeas‘intelligentandquietastheothers.’SubjectofRAN14/11atthetime

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andmentionedinPEN’sjointsubmissiononAzerbaijantotheUNUniversalPeriodicReviewissuedinOctober2012.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatovićOSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediahasreferredtohiscaseinseveralstatements,mostrecentlyinMay2015whenshecalledforthereleaseofallimprisonedjournalistsinAzerbaijan.AmnestyInternationalrecognisedhimasaprisonerofconscience.Awards:InMay2016KhaziyevwasawardedtheGerdBuceriusPrize‘FreePressofEasternEurope2016’,ashe,accordingtotheorganisers,‘exposedthefactsofcorruptionandabuseofpowerinhiscountry,andasaresult,hewassubjectedtothreatsandphysicalviolence.’PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

RashadRAMAZANOV(RashadHagigatAgaaddin):Profession:bloggerSentence:nineyearsinprisonDateofarrest:9May2013Detailsofarrest:RashadRamazanovwasarrestednearthe‘20January’metrostationandtakentotheDepartmentforCombatingOrganisedCrime.Thepolicereportedlyfoundninegramsofheroinonhisperson.Detailsoftrial:Hewaschargedwith‘illegalpossessionandsaleofalargescaleofdrugs(Article234.4.3oftheCriminalCode).On7August2013,hiscasewasreferredtotheBakuCourtofGraveCrimesandhewasconvictedandsentencedtonineyearsinprisonon13November2013.Ramazanovrejectsthechargesandhasclaimedthathewastorturedduringinterrogation.On14May2014,Ramazanov’sappealagainsthisconvictionwasdismissed.Nonewinformationasof30June2016.Background:Ramazanoviswell-knownforhisanti-governmentpostings.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatovićOSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediahasreferredtohiscaseinseveralstatements,mostrecentlyinMay2015whenshecalledforthereleaseofallimprisonedjournalistsinAzerbaijan.Imprisoned–investigationNazimGULIYEV:Profession:founderandeditor-in-chiefofthenewspaperIdeal,currentlyshutdownSentence:1)sixmonthsinprison2)Hewasfurthersentencedto13yearsandthreemonthsinprisonandconfiscationofhispropertyDateofarrest:April2009Detailsofarrest:Guliyevwasissuedwithapre-trialdetentionorderafterahearingintheNasimiDistrictCourton30October2008;however,bythenhehadgoneintohiding.HewasarrestedinlateApril2009.Detailsoftrial:1)GuliyevwasarrestedinlateApril2009andsentencedtosixmonthsinprison.HewasconvictedinacriminalcasefiledinSeptember2008byaNagorno-Karabakhwarveteran,whoallegedthattwoarticlespublishedinIdealinAugust2008harmedherdignity.On26May2009hewassentencedtosixmonthsinprisonondefamationcharges(seeCaseListofJanuarytoJune2009).2)Theanti-corruptiondepartmentoftheChiefProsecutor'sOfficelaterbroughtacaseagainsthimintheGraveCrimesCourtinwhichhewaschargedwithextortion(Article182oftheCriminalCode);hooliganism(Article221);andtheillegalmanufacturing,purchase,storage,transportation,transferorsellingofdrugs/psychotropicsubstances(underArticle234).Hewasconvictedandsentencedto13yearsandthreemonthsinprisonon15January2010.Guliyevisservinghissentenceinaspecialpenitentiary.PENisseekingclarificationofthecurrentcriminalchargessoastoascertainwhetherheisinfactdetainedforhiswritings.Nonewinformationasof30June2016.Sentenced

*ElchinHASANOVProfession:journalist,deputyeditorofYukselishNamine(Inthenameofascension),memberofthesuprememaijlis,deputyheadoftheNGOLegalEducationforSumgaitYouth.Sentence:Oneyearofcorrectivelabourwhichinvolvespayingpartofone’ssalarytothestateDateofarrest:3March2016Detailsofarrest:ThearrestandcriminalcaseagainstElchinHasanovstemsfromanincidentfrom2015,whenhewasreportedlyattackedbytheformerheadofthenewsagencyAsia,Jafar

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Jafarov,whoclaimedthatHasanovhithimwithaheavyobject.Detailsoftrial:Hasanovcomplainedtothepoliceandwasinitiallyplacedunder‘victim’status,butonthe3March2016hewaschargedwithhooliganism(Article221.1oftheCriminalCode),andhewasinformedthathewouldbeunderpolicesurveillance.Afterhealertedthepressabouthiscase,thechargesagainsthimwerechangedtothemoreseverechargeofhooliganismwithbladedweapons(Article221.3),althoughtheinvestigationdidnotestablishtheobjectusedbyhim.Hislawyeralsoclaimsthattherearenowitnesses.Athistrialon1June2016,thecourtchangedthechargebacktohooliganismandsentencedhimtooneyear’scorrectivelabour,forwhichhemustpay20percentofhissalarytothestateforayear.Heappealedagainsttheconvictionandsentence.On21June,theprosecutorfiledanappealagainsttheinitialverdict,seekingathree-and-a-half-yearprisonsentenceforHasanov.[StopPress:On27July2016,theCourtofAppealrejectedtheappealsofbothdefenceandprosecutionandupheldtheinitialverdict.]Background:Hasanovclaimsthatheisbeingpersecutedforhisjournalisticandoppositionactivities,andhesaysthatmovingfromavictimtobeingchargedcanbeexplainedbyhisrecentpublicationonFacebookexposingthesaleofcannedmeatprohibitedforsale,meantfortheArmy.Otherinformation:JafarJafaroviscurrentlyontrialforchargesofextortionbutnotinrelationtotheattackonHasanov.WhenHasanovreportedthecasetopolice,Jafarovwasafteratimeheldbutnotinrelationtothiscomplaint,butinsteadontheextortioncharges.

Harassed

*AkramAYLISLIProfession:author,poet,playrightDateofbirth:1December1937Dateofharassment:30March2016Detailsofharassment:AylisliwasreportedlydetainedatHeydarAliyevairportinBakuinthemorningof30March,afterattemptingtotraveltoIncrocidiCiviltaliteraryfestivalinVenice,wherehewasduetospeak.Aylisliwasdetainedbyborderguardsat4amthatmorning,andwasheldforfivehoursafterbeingtoldthathecouldnottravel,althoughnoreasonwasgivenatthetime.Hisbagsweretakenofftheplaneandsearchedseveraltimesoverthecourseoftheday,andat9:30amhewastakenintocustodybytheairportpoliceafteraccusationsthathewascreatingapublicdisturbance,hinderingtheworkofborderofficialsanddisturbingotherpassengers.Hewasthenheldforover10hoursandinterrogated.LaterintheeveningAylisliwasaccusedbyaborderofficialofpunchinghiminthechesthardenoughtobruise,inaroomwithoutsecuritycamerasandwhilehissonhadsteppedoutside.Hissonreportedlydeniedtheallegationsagainsthim,andstatedthatafterbeingtoldhewasbannedfromleavingthecountry,heattemptedtofindoutwhy,withnoanswerbeinggivenbytheborderofficials.LocalmediareportthattheInteriorMinistryaccusedthe78year-oldofcomingintoconflictwithborderofficials,withAylislihittingaborderguard.Thenextday,itwasreportedthatalawsuithadbeenfiledagainstthewriter,underArticle221.1(hooliganism)oftheCriminalCodeofAzerbaijan;hewasaccusedofattackingaborderofficial,andhispassportwasreturnedthenextday.Aylislireleasedastatementsayingthattheallegedpunchwasusedasjustificationtorefusehisrighttoleavethecountry,despiteallegedlyhappeningafterhisplanehadleft.Hewasformallychargedwithhooliganismon6April2016;on22April2016,itwasreportedthatthechargesfacingAylislihadnowexpandedtoincludethatofresistingtheauthoritieswithviolence,underarticle315.1oftheCriminalCode.ThiscameafterAylislihadwrittenalettertotheAzerbaijaniPresident,suggestingthatitwasabsurdthata78-year-oldman(Aylisli)couldassaultayoungbordercontrolguard,andaskinghimtoremovethechargesagainsthim.Thenewchargesarepunishablebyuptothreeyearsinprison.Inthisletterhealsowroteaboutthecontinuingpubliccampaignagainsthim.Heremainedfreeasof30June2016.Background:AylisliwasapopularwriterinAzerbaijanupuntilthepublicationofhisnovelStoneDreams,whichtackledtheissueofAzerbaijani-ArmenianrelationsandincludeddepictionsofpogromsallegedlycarriedoutbyAzerbaijanisagainstArmenians.HehadpreviouslybeenawardedthetitleofPeople’sWriter,aswellastwoofthehigheststateawardsinAzerbaijan,theShokratandIstiglalmedals.Afterthe2013publication,hewasstrippedofhistitlesandmedals,andthe

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Presidentsignedadecreestrippinghimofhispresidentialpension;hisbookswerealsoburnt,anditwasreportedthatapoliticianfromapro-governmentpartyoffereda$13,000rewardtoanyonewhocutoffoneofhisears.Furthermore,hiswifeandsonwerebothfiredfromtheirjobs,hewasbrandedanapostate,hewasdroppedfromtheUnionofAzerbaijaniWriters,peopleorganisedralliesagainsthim,andhisbookswerewithdrawnfromschoolcurriculum,alongwithhisplaysbeingbannedbytheatres.MembersoftheAzerbaijaniparliamentdiscussedwhetherheshouldbeexpelledfromAzerbaijanandhiscitizenshiprepealed,aswellaswhetherheshouldundergoaDNAtesttoseeifheisethnicallyArmenian.GenimetZAKHIDOV(orGanimatZAHID):Profession:editoroftheoppositionnewspaperAzadlyqDetailsofharassment:GenimetZakhidovfledtoFranceinexilein2011.However,Azerbaijaniauthoritiesareharassingthemembersofhisfamilywhostillliveinthecountry.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,hismotherhasbeenplacedunderclosesurveillanceforalongtime.HisnephewTuralZakhidovwasarrestedon18July2015forallegedlyrefusingtocomplywithinstructionsfromthepoliceandwasquicklygivenan‘administrative’sentenceof30daysindetention.HiscousinRovshanZakhidovandanothernephew,RufatZakhidov,werearrestedseparatelyon20July2015,withRovshanplacedunder‘administrative’detentionfor25dayswhileRufatisfacing5to12yearsinprisononachargeofdrugpossession.Update:ItwasreportedthatbothRovshanandRufathadbeenjailedonchargesofdrugpossessionon28June2016.Theyhadspentalmostayearinpre-trialdetention.Neitheroftheserelativeshavebeeninvolvedinanyjournalisticorpoliticalactivity.Background:Zakhidovwasarrestedontrumped-upchargesinNovember2007andsentencedtofouryearsinprison.HewasreleasedinMarch2010underapresidentialpardonafterservingoverhalfthesentence.Hefledthecountrywithhiswifeandchildrenin2011,aftertheywerethetargetsofseriousthreats,andhascontinuedtorunAzadliqfromexileinFrance,althoughitisbeingsubjectedtogovernment-orchestratedeconomicasphyxiation.CriminaldefamationchargeswerereportedlyfiledagainsthimbytwopublicofficialsinconnectionwithanarticlepublishedinMarch2013,whichallegedthattheministerssupportedtwoopposingfactionswithintheadministrationandwerethereforeinconflictwitheachother.Azadlyqitselfhasfacedproblems.On14Juneitwasreportedthattheyhadbeengivenuntil27Junetorepayallegeddebtsof17,000AZN(about$12,000)orthenewspaperwouldbeclosed.Itwaslaterreportedthatthedatehadbeenextendedfortwoweeksafterapartialrepaymentofdebts.ConditionalReleaseKhadijaISMAYILOVA(f):Profession:investigativejournalistandradiohostforRadioFreeEuropeSentence:SevenandahalfyearsinjailDateofarrest:5December2014Dateofrelease:25May2016Detailsofarrest:servedwithatwo-monthpre-trialdetentionorderbytheSabailDistrictCourtofBakuon5December2014,whichwasrepeatedlyextendeduntilhereventualtrialandconviction.Detailsofrelease:Freedonprobationon25May2015followinganappealunderconditionsthatwouldconfinehertoBaku.Ismayilovaannouncedthatshewouldcontinuetotrytoclearhername.Detailsoftrial:ShewasinitiallychargedunderArticle125ofthePenalCodewithhavingallegedlyprovokedtheattemptedsuicideofTuralMustafayev,theformercontributortoRadioAzadlygandanotheroppositionmediaplatform,MeydanTV(hehadallegedlytriedtokillhimselftwomonthspreviously).Later,chargesoftaxevasion,illegalbusinessactivity,andabuseofpowerwerebroughtagainsther.Ismayilovawassentencedtosevenandahalfyearsinprisonon1September2015afterconvictionoftaxevasion,illegalbusinessactivity,andabuseofpower.Atherappealon25May2015,hersentencewascommutedtoathreeandahalfyearsuspendedsentenceandshewasreleased.Background:Ismayilovahasfacedrepeatedjudicialandotherharassment.1)Shewascalledinforquestioningbythestateprosecutor’sofficeon18,19and20February2014inrelationtoaFacebookpostthatincludedaphotoofascanned

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documentreportedlyissuedbytheAzerbaijanisecurityservice,theMinistryofNationalSecurity(MNB).ThedocumentallegestherecruitmentofanAzerbaijanioppositionactivistasanMNBinformant.Ismayilova,whoredactedthenameofthepurportedrecruitbeforepublishingthedocument,saidonFacebookthatshehadbeengiventhedocumentbyaformerMNBemployee.2)Sheiscurrentlybeingsuedforlibel,aspartofalegalproceedingthatbeganon9October2014,byElmanGassanov,aformermemberofthePopularFrontparty.Heaccusesherofhavingdefamedhiminanarticleinwhichshepointedtohisworkinsubvertingoppositionorganizationsonbehalfofintelligenceservices.3)InMarch2012,IsmayilovawassubjectedtoacampaignintendedtointimidateherintostoppingaverypublicinvestigationintoPresidentAliyev'sfamily'sallegedinterestsinlucrativeconstructionprojectsinBakuaheadoftheEurovisionSongContest.Shereceivedanonymousthreatswarninghertostopherworkorfaceconsequences.Whenshedidnot,avideoofapersonalnature,purportedlydepictingher,waspostedonline,andthepro-governmentmediapublishedarticlescallingher‘immoral’and‘corrupt’.4)AnotherwaveofharassmentstartedinApril2013andcontinuedthroughtheyear,withvideossecretlyrecordedinthejournalist'sapartmentbeingpostedonline.Otherinformation:NumerousstatesandhumanrightsmechanismshavecalledforIsmayilova’srelease.Awards:2012GerdBuceriusFreePressofEasternEuropeAward;2012CourageofJournalismAward;2013;GlobalShiningLightAwardforareportwithotherjournalistsexposing‘questionablebusinessdealings’involvingthefamilyofAzerbaijaniPresidentIlhamAliyev;2015PENAmerica/BarbaraGoldsmithFreedomtoWriteAward.PENaction:On12August2013PENsignedajointlettertoPresidentAliyevprotestingtheharassmentofIsmayilovaandcallingforathoroughinvestigationintothethreatsmadeagainsther.PENwasasignatorytoajointstatementinOctober2014protestingatravelbanimposedonherandcallingforalllegalproceedingsagainsthertobelifted.2015InternationalWomen’sDayAction;RAN02/15andupdate;Statementto59thsessionoftheCommissionontheStatusofWomen;newsrelease1September2015.InterventioninJanuary2016beforetheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights;secondinterventioninApril2016.HonoraryMember:PENCanada.ArifYUNUS:Profession:historian,writerandactivist,andheadoftheDepartmentofConflictandMigrationoftheInstituteofPeaceandDemocracyDateofbirth:12January1955Sentence:sevenyearsinprisonDateofarrest:August2014Dateofrelease:12November2015Detailsofarrest:ArifYunusandhiswifeLeylaYunus,anoutspokenpoliticalactivist,werearrestedinAugustandJuly2014,respectively.TheyweredetainedfollowingLeyla'spubliccallsforaboycottoftheinauguralEuropeanGames,whichwereheldinBakuinJune2015.Detailsofrelease:TheBakuCourtofAppealsgrantedYunus'sreleaseon12Novemberattherequestofhislawyersafterhishealthdeteriorated.Update:Afterinitiallynotbeingallowedtoleavethecountry,bothArifandhiswifeLeylaweregrantedpermissionandlefton19April2016togototheirdaughterintheNetherlands.Theyarereportedlystillfacingtreasoncharges,stemmingfromallegationsofspyingforArmenia.Placeofdetention:ArifwasheldattheMinistryofNationalSecurity'sinvestigativeprison.Detailsoftrial:On13August2015ArifYunuswassentencedtosevenyearsinprisonbytheBakuCourtofGraveCrimes.LeylaYunuswassentencedthesamedaytoeightandahalfyearsinprison.Bothwereconvictedonpoliticallymotivatedcharges,includingillegalentrepreneurship,taxevasion,andfraud.Healthconcerns:BothArifandLeylasufferfromserioushealthproblemsandtheirhealthdeterioratedsharplyindetention.Thiscauseddelaysduringtrialproceedings,includingonthedayoftheverdict,whenAriffaintedandwasattendedtobyadoctor.Hesuffersfromveryhighbloodpressure.Otherinformation:InAugust2015,MichelForst,SpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsdefenders;MainaKiai,SpecialRapporteurontherightstofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociation;DavidKaye,SpecialRapporteuronfreedomofopinionandexpression;MónicaPinto,SpecialRapporteurontheindependenceofjudgesandlawyers;DainiusPûras,SpecialRapporteurontherighttohealth;andSeong-PhilHong,Chair-RapporteuroftheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionissuedajointstatementexpressingconcernatthesentencingofYunusandhiswifeLeyla.

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MentionedinEuropeanParliamentResolutionofSeptember2015Background:ArifYunushaspublishedover30booksand190articlesrelatedtoAzerbaijanihistoryandArmenian-Azerbaijanirelations.PENAction:ResolutionontheRepublicofAzerbaijan,80thPENWorldCongress,October2014.Released

ParvizHASHIMLI:Profession:journalistSentence:eight-yearprisonsentenceDateofArrest:17September2013Dateofrelease:17March2016Detailsofarrest:arrestedbyMinistryofNationalSecurityofficials.NewsreportssaidthatagentsalsoraidedHashimli'shomeinBaku,wheretheyclaimedtohavefoundapistolandseveralhandgrenades.TheagentsconductedthesearchwithoutpresentingHashimli'swifewithacourtorderandintheabsenceofthejournalist'slawyer.Despitepossessingasearchwarrant,itwasreportedthattheofficersfirsttriedtoenterthroughthewindows.Hewasissuedwithatwo-monthpre-trialdetentionorderon18September2013bytheSabailDistrictCourt.Hisdetentiontermwasextendedforanotherthreemonthson7November2013.On26September2013,theBakuAppellateCourtdeniedhisappealagainsthispre-trialdetention.On23December2013,theBakuAppellateCourtdeniedHashimli’sappealagainstthedenialofhisrequestfortransferfromtheMinistryofNationalSecurityremandcentretoapre-trialdetentionfacility.Detailsofrelease:On17March2016itwasreportedthatHashimliwasreleasedafterbeingincludedinapresidentialdecreecelebratingtheNovruzholiday,alongwith148otherprisoners.Placeofdetention:HeldinNo1PrisonasofAugust2014Detailsoftrial:Hashimliwasbroughttothecourthousewithabagoverhishead.ChargedundertwoarticlesoftheAzerbaijaniCriminalCode:Article206.3.2(‘pre-arrangedsmugglingoffirearmsbyanorganisedgroup’)and228.2.1(‘pre-arrangedillegalprocurement,storage,andtransportoffirearmsandtheirsparepartsbyanorganisedgroup’)andofrepeatedlycommittingthesameacts(Article228.2.2).Hewasentencedtoeightyearsinprisonon15May2014.Hisappealagainsthisconvictionandsentencewasrejectedon24December2014.Conditionsofdetention:Hashimliwasallegedlysubjectedtotortureandotherill-treatmentduringhisdetentionattheMinistryofNationalSecurityremandcentre.Hislawyerreportsthatthejournalistwasplacedina‘punishmentcell’.Hashimlihasreportedlyallegedthathewasstrippednakedandthatherefusedthefoodservedtohimbyguards;hesaidthathewasdeniedcontactwithhisfamilyandlawyer.Theministryisreportedtohaverefutedtheclaim,andtheprosecutor’sofficedidnotinvestigatehisallegations.Background:Theagentsalsoraidedthenewsroomsofhisplacesofwork,theModeratorandBizimYol,andconfiscatedtheirequipment,accordingtoreports.BothoutletsareknownfortheircoverageofcorruptionandhumanrightsabusesaswellasfortheircriticalreportingonthegovernmentofAzerbaijan'sauthoritarianpresidentIlhamAliyev.Otherinformation:HashimliisalsotheChairmanoftheCentreforProtectionofPoliticalandCivilRights.PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

HilalMAMEDOV:Profession:editor-in-chiefofindependentnewspaperTalyshiSado(VoiceoftheTalysh)andhumanrightsactivistDateofbirth:1959Sentence:fiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:21June2012.Dateofrelease:17March2016Detailsofrelease:Mammadovwasincludedonthe17March2016Presidentialdecree,whichpardoned148prisoners,anumberofwhichwerePENcases.Placeofdetention:PenalcolonyNo.17Detailsoftrial:Inapressrelease,Azerbaijan’sInteriorMinistrystatedthatMamedovhadunderminedthecountry’ssecurityinhisarticleforTalyshiSado,inhisinterviewswiththeIranianbroadcasterSahar-2,andalsoinunnamedbookshehadallegedlytranslatedanddistributed.ThestatementalsodenounceddomesticandinternationalprotestsagainstMamdedov’simprisonmentandsaidthejournalisthadusedhisofficetospyforIran.Mamedovwasconvictedon28September2013ofillegalsellingofdrugs(Article234.4.3oftheCriminalCode),treason(Article274oftheCriminalCode),andincitementtonational,racial,social

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andreligioushatredandhostility(Article283oftheCriminalCode)bytheBakuCourtofGraveCrimes.Accordingtoreports,apreliminaryhearingtookplaceinBakuduringthefirstweekinJanuary2013.Mamedov’sfamilyclaimthatthedrugsthatpoliceclaimedtofindinhisapartmentwereplanted,andhavestatedtheirbeliefthatthearrestwaspoliticallymotivated.Anotherhearingofhiscasetookplaceon29May2013attheBakuGraveCrimesCourt.Thetrialstartedwiththepresentationofawritten‘objectiontothecompositionofthejury’bythedefence,whichwasnotacceptedbythejudge.DuringthehearingMamedovsaidthattheprosecutionwasareprisalforhissocialactivismandcriticalopinions.Furtherhearingstookplaceon5Juneand10July2013.LawyersforMamedovpetitionedthecourttobeallowedtoquestiontheinvestigatorswhosearchedMamedov’shouseduringhisarrest.Thecourtrejectedthepetition.HumanrightsobserversinsideandoutsideAzerbaijanbelievethatthatheisbeingpunishedforhisjournalismandactivismfornationalminorities’rights.Thereareconcernsoverthefairnessofhistrial,includingreportsofcoercionofwitnessesandlackofsubstantiveevidenceagainsthim.Mamedov’sconvictionwasupheldbyahighercourton25December2013andbyAzerbaijan’sSupremeCourton26June2014.MamedovcomplainedthattheInteriorMinistryandtheProsecutorGeneral'sofficehadviolatedhisrighttothepresumptionofinnocenceinajointstatementonJuly42013bypresentinghimasaguiltyperson,althoughhisguilthadnotbeenprovedbythecourt.HiscomplaintwasthrownoutbytheBakuCourtofAppealon21January2014,butwasreportedlyupheldon12June2014bytheBoardforAdministrativeandEconomicAffairsoftheSupremeCourtwhichorderedaretrialintheBakuCourtofAppeal.HislawyerssubmittedanappealtotheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightswhich,inNovember2014,begancommunicationswiththeAzerbaijaniauthoritiesinthecaseoverMamedov’scomplaintregardingviolationsoftheprohibitionontortureandtherighttoliberty.Update:On4February2016,theECtHRfoundthatMamedov’srightsunderArticle3(prohibitionoftorture)oftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRightshadbeenviolatedtwice–oncebecausehewastorturedandoncebecausehiscomplaintsoftorturewerenotinvestigatedHealthconcerns:Mamedovwasreportedlyattackedandinjuredbyhiscellmateon29November2012.Hewassavedfromseriousinjurybytheinterventionofprisonguards.Background:Mamedov’snewspaperisprintedintheTalyshlanguage,whichisrelatedtoPersian.TheTalyshminority’sleaderinAzerbaijan,NovruzaliMamedov,whoeditedthenewspaperbeforeMamedov,diedinprisonin2009afterhewasfoundguiltyofspyingforIranandwassentencedto10yearsinprison.Otherinformation:InMay2015,theCouncilofEuropeCommissionerforHumanRights,NilsMuižnieks,saidthatMamedovhadbeenunjustlyimprisonedandshouldbereleased.MentionedinEuropeanParliamentResolutionofSeptember2015.PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

OmarMAMEDOV:Profession:bloggerSentence:fiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:24January2014.Dateofrelease:18March2016Detailsofarrest:MamedovwasarrestedshortlyafterreturningtoAzerbaijanfromNorthernCyrpus,whereheisastudentatCyprusInternationalUniversity.UponMamedov’sreturntoAzerbaijanhewasinvitedalongwithhisfathertohavea‘talk’withthepolice,duringwhichtheyconfiscatedhislaptopanddemandedthathecloseananti-governmentFacebookpage.Thefollowingdayhewaschargedwithpossessionofdrugsandremandedincustody.Detailsofrelease:MamedovwasreleasedundertheMarch2016presidentialdecree.Detailsoftrial:Mamedovwasconvictedof‘possessionofdrugs’underArticle234.4.3ofthePenalCodeon11July2014andsentencedtofiveyearsinprison.Hislawyerssaidthattheywouldfileanappeal.HisappealagainsthisconvictionandsentencewasrejectedbytheBakuAppealCourtinDecember2014Background:Mamedovwasanactivebloggerwhooftenreportedhumanrightsabusesandusedtomanagetheanti-government‘SelectionsfromAzTV’and‘NamedafterHeydarAliyev’Facebookpages.Whilehewasstudyingabroadhisfatherwasreportedlysummonedtotheinteriorministry’sorganisedcrimedirectoratewherehewastoldtogethissontostop‘slandering’thegovernment.HeisamemberofseveralyouthoppositionmovementsincludingNIDA(NidaCivicMovement,whichworksforpoliticalandsocialreform).EightotherNIDAactivistsweresentencedtobetweensixandeightyearsin

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prisoninMay2014.Otherinformation:DunjaMijatovićOSCERepresentativeonFreedomoftheMediahasreferredtohiscaseinseveralstatements,mostrecentlyinMay2015whenshecalledforthereleaseofallimprisonedjournalistsinAzerbaijan.InSeptember2014,theEuropeanParliamentpassedaresolutiononthehumanrightssituationinAzerbaijanreferringtohiscase.AmnestyInternationalregardedhimasaprisonerofconscience.

RaufMIRKADYROV(orMIRGADIROV):Profession:TurkeycorrespondentforAzerbaijaninewspaperZerkaloDateofbirth:1969Sentence:sixyearsinprison,communtedtofiveyearssuspendedsentenceDateofarrest:19April2014Dateofrelease:17March2016Detailsofarrest:MirkadyrovwasdetainedinAnkara,Turkeyon18April2014inconnectionwithhistraveldocumentsallegedlyhavingexpired.HewasdeportedtoAzerbaijanthefollowingday.HewasarresteduponhisarrivalinBakuandplacedinpre-trialdetentionfollowingahearingon21April2014,renewedtwicein2014.InMay2015hisdetentionwasextendeduntil19September2015.Detailsofrelease:On17March2016MirkadyrovwasreleasedbyanappealcourtinBakuafterhisprisontermwascommutedtoafiveyearsuspendedsentence.Detailsoftrial:WhenbroughtbeforetheNasimiDistrictCourtinBakuon21April2014,theprosecutor-generalaccusedhimofbeinganArmenianspy,citinghispasttripstoArmeniaandGeorgiaaswellashistimeinTurkey.MirkadyrovwasaccusedofmeetingArmeniansecurityservicesandhandingthempoliticalandmilitaryinformationaswellasAzerbaijanistatesecretsduringhisstayinTurkey.Mirkadyrovdeniedtheaccusationsaspoliticallymotivated,claimingthattheyareinretaliationforhiswork.InastatementinNovember2014totheOSCE,respondingtoareportbytheSpecialRepresentativeforFreedomoftheMedia,theauthoritiessaidthathewasheldundersuspicionoftreasonunderArticle274ofthePenalCode.On28December2015,hislawyerannouncedthathehadbeenconvictedofhightreason,namelyspyingforArmeniaandhadbeensentencedtosixyearsinprison.TheprosecutioncontendedthatMirkadyrovhadbeenrecruitedasaspybyprominenthumanrightsdefenderLeylaYunusandherhusbandArifYunus(seeConditionalReleasebelow).Background:AtthetimeofhisarrestMirkadyrovhadbeenareporterinTurkeyforthreeyears,oftencriticisingbothTurkishandAzeriauthoritiesforhumanrightsabuses.Hehasalsobeeninvolvedinnon-governmentalprojectsfocusedonimprovingdialoguebetweenArmeniaandAzerbaijan.HisarrestanddeportationfollowedavisittoBakubyTurkishPrimeMinisterErdoğan.Mirkadyrov’sfamilywerereportedlygrantedasyluminSwitzerlandinDecember2014.Otherinformation:Therehasbeenawidespreadoutcryathisdeportationandtrial.PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

ElseverMURSELLI:Profession:FacebookactivistSentence:twoyearsinprisonDateofarrest:3October2013,oneweekbeforethepresidentialelectionDateofrelease:October2014Detailsoftrial:chargedwith‘possessionofdrugs’.PolicewarnedMurselli’sfamilythathecouldgetalengthyprisonsentenceifthefamilypublicisedthearresttothemediaorretainedalawyeroftheirchoosing;hewasinsteaddefendedbyastate-appointedlawyer.InApril2014hewassentencedtofiveyearsinprison.On23June2014,Murselliwrotealetterofapologytothepresident.AmonthlaterinJuly,hissentencewasreducedtotwoyearsbyanappealcourt.Update:PENhasnowlearnedthatMurselliwasreleasedinapresidentialpardonin2014,accordingtoHumanRightsWatchBackground:Murselliwasactiveonsocialmediaduringthelead-uptothepresidentialelection,whenhepostedonFacebookaboutsocialproblemsinKhachmaz,northernAzerbaijan.Heallegedcorruptionandnepotismandcalledonpeopletovoteforacertainpoliticaloppositioncandidate.Mursellihadalsoparticipatedinpre-electionoppositiondemonstrationsandpostedvideofootageoftheralliesonline.Otherinformation:InSeptember2014,theEuropeanParliamentpassedaresolutiononthehumanrightssituationinAzerbaijanreferringtohiscase.

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TofigYAGUBLU:Profession:columnistforYeniMusavatnewspaperandDeputyLeaderoftheoppositionMusavatParty:SentenceFiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:4February2013Dateofrelease:17March2016Detailsofarrest:Yagubluwasarrestedwithco-leaderoftheREALmovement,IlgarMammadov.YagubluwasaccusedalongwithMammadovoforganisingamassprotestthatledtoviolenceandthebreakdownoforderintheprovinceofIsmaillion23-24January2013.Theprotesttookplaceafteratrafficincidentinvolvingagovernmentminister’ssonandlocalresidentsledtoanaltercation.ThisincidentledtoaseriesofviolentreprisalsbylocalresidentsincludingtheburningofcarsandahotelallegedtobelongtoNizamiAlakbarov.Onthesecondday,agroupofprotestersattemptedtowalkontheGovernor’shome,demandinghisresignationandthrowingstones.Thisthenledtoconfrontationwithsecurityforceswhorespondedwithforce.Inastatementafterwards,TofigYagubluandIlgarMammadovbothstatedthattheywenttotheregionandprotestasobserversandplayednoroleinstirringupunrestamongthelocalpopulation.ThefounderofYeniMusavatnewspaperandtheheadoftheMusavatPartyexecutiveboardhavebothconfirmedthatYagubluwasonareportingassignmentinIsmayilliandthathewascarryingapresscardatthetimeofhisarrest.Yagubluwasreportedlyinitiallyarrestedon24January2013,whenhearrivedatthetowntointerviewlocalresidentsaboutthecausesoftheunrest.InAugust2013,theNasimiDistrictCourtofBakuruledtoextendhisdetentionuntil4December2013.Detailsofrelease:YagubluwasreleasedalongsideotherjournalistsandactivistsundertheMarchAmnestydecreefromthepresident.Placeofdetention:HewasbeingheldatPrisonNo.13inlate2014,accordingtoKavkazskyUzel.Accordingtohislawyer,YagubluwasreleasedforsevendaysinApril2015toattendthefuneralofhisdaughter.Detailsoftrial:Initiallychargedwithorganisingpublicdisorder(Article233oftheCriminalCode),YagubluwaschargedinMay2013underArticle220.1oftheCriminalCodeofAzerbaijan(‘organisingmassactsofviolence’,)andArticle315.2(‘resistingtheauthoritiesinamannerdangeroustolifeorhealth’).Histrialbeganon18November2013intheShekiCourtofGraveCrimes.Yagubluwasfoundguiltyof‘organizingmassactsofviolence’andsentencedtofiveyearsinprisonon17March2014.Yagublu’sappealwasdeniedbyanappealcourtinSeptember2014andhisappealtotheSupremeCourtwasduetobegininJanuary2015.However,theSupremeCourtpostponedconsiderationoftheappealon13January2015.Otherinformation:On5November2015,theEuropeanCourtofHumanRightsruledthatYagubluhadsufferedaviolationofhisrightsunderArticle5oftheEuropeanConvention(righttolibertyandsecurity)byorderinghimtobedetainedintheabsenceofareasonablesuspicionthathehadcommittedacriminaloffenceandorderedthestatetopayhimcompensation.PENAction:MentionedinjointthirdpartyinterventiontoEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsaboutthesituationoffreedomofexpressioninAzerbaijan.

CaseclosedEminHUSEYNOV:Profession:journalist,blogger,directoroftheInstituteforReporters’FreedomandSafety(IRFS)inAzerbaijanDateofbirth:4December1979Detailsoftrial:HuseynovwaschargedinabsentiawithtaxevasionandillegalentrepreneurshipinAugust2014andplacedundercriminalinvestigation.Fearingarrest,hesoughtrefugeintheSwissembassyinBakuthesamemonth(evadingAzerbaijanipolicetoenterthebuildingposingasaSwissnational)andstayedtherefor10months.HewasflownoutofAzerbaijanbytheSwissgovernmenton12June2015,reportedlyfollowingmonthsofnegotiationsbetweentheSwissandAzerbaijaniauthorities,andiscurrentlyseekingpoliticalasylumthere.PENisseekingclarificationastowhetherthechargesagainstHuseynovhavebeendropped.Nonewinformationasof30June2016.Background:Huseynov,afiercecriticofPresidentAliyev,wasbeatenbythepolicein2003and2008.HisfamilyfacedvariouskindsofpressurefromauthoritiesfromthemomenthesoughtrefugeattheSwissembassy.Otherinformation:On7May2015,theEuropeanCourtofHumanRightsruledthatEminHuseynovhadsufferedtwoviolationsofArticle3(prohibitionofinhumanordegradingtreatmentandlackofeffectiveinvestigation)ofthe

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EuropeanConventiononHumanRights;aviolationofArticle5.1(righttolibertyandsecurity);andaviolationofArticle11(freedomofassembly)duringhisarrestandbeatingbypolicein2008.Caseclosedasheisnolongeratriskofimprisonment

BELARUSConditionalRelease

AlyaksandrALESIN:Profession:journalistfortheMinsk-basedindependentnewspaperBelorusyirynok(BelarusiansandtheMarket)Dateofarrest:25November2014Dateofrelease:10December2014Detailsofrelease:Alesinwasreleasedonbailafterastate-appointedlawyerrequestedhisreleaseonhealthgrounds.However,hewasbannedfromtravelingoutsideBelaruspendinginvestigation.Detailsoftrial:Alesinwasreportedlyinitiallychargedunderarticles356and356.1oftheBelaruspenalcodewith‘hightreason’and‘collaboratingwiththespecialsecurityservicesorintelligenceservicesofaforeigngovernment,’chargeswhichcarryasentenceoffiveto15yearsinprison.AccordingtoBelorusyirynok,theauthoritiesalsoamendedtheirinitialchargesto‘cooperationwithaforeignsecretservice,’whichcanbepunishedbyuptotwoyearsinjail.Followinghisrelease,Alesinallegedlysignedapledgenottorevealinformationabouttheinvestigationintohisactivities.ThemainsuspectinthecaseissaidtobeaforeigndiplomatwhichwhomAlesinwashavingadrinkinaMinskcaféwhentheywerebothreportedlydetained.Update:InJanuary2016,theprosecutionannouncedthatthecaseagainstAlesinhadbeensuspended;Alesinsaidhehopedthechargeswouldbeeventuallydropped.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

BOSNIA-HERZOGOVINA

Ontrial:

IvanSUSNJAR:Profession:editorofposkok.infoDetailsoftrial:Susnjarisfacingtrialoverasatiricalarticlepublishedin2012,whichwasaboutthecaseofNerkezArifhodzic,adiplomatfromBosnia.ThePressCouncilinBosniaandHerzegovinacharacterizedthetrialassuppressionofthefreedomofinformationinthepublicinterestandfreesatire.Asof30June2016,thereisnonewinformationaboutSusnjar’strial.

Harassed

EmployeesofDnevniAvaz(dailynewspaper):Dateofharassment:25January2016Detailsofharassment:AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProject,theofficesofDnevniAvazweresearchedbytheBosnianStateInvestigationandProtectionAgency(SIPA).DnevniAvazreportedlyreleasedastatementcondemningtheraidbyarmedpoliceas"brutalpressureonmediafreedomandanattemptofintimidation."ThepresscouncilinBosnia-HerzegovinaandtheAssociationofBHJournalistsalsostronglycondemnedtheraidingofDnevniAvazcharacterisingtheactionasan“intimidationofthemedia."Thepoliceissuedawrittenstatementclaimingthat“thetargetoftheraidwasnotthenewspaperbutofficesusedbyRadoncicinthesamebuilding.”FahrudinRadoncic,currentleaderoftheco-rulingUnionforBetterFuture(SBB)party,wasarrestedintheincident.Background:On24October2015,twothreatsweresenttotheheadofficesoftheBosniandaily(See2015CaseList).*MllicaDZEPINA(f):

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Profession:Editor-in-chiefofnewsagencySRNADateofthreat:11April2016Detailsofthreat:MinisterofSecurity,DraganMektic,threatenedDzepinaoverthephoneandviafourteentextmessages.Mekticreportedlysaid“Whenwecometopower,youwillvanishfromthefaceoftheearth.”SRNAhadpublishedanarticlewhichclaimedMekticliedaboutgettingalawdegreefromtheUniversityofZagreb,lawfaculty.

BULGARIA

Attacked*Stoyan TONCHEV: Profession: ownerofnewsportal Zad Kulisite, Journalistfor HelloBulgaria Dateofattack:14January2016Detailsofattack: Afterleavinghisfriend’sapartmentontheeveningofthe14January, Stoyan Tonchev wasreportedlybeatenbymultiplemenwithbaseballbats. Tonchev wasrepeatedlyaskedhowlonghewouldcontinuewriting,andlocalmedia report thathe sufferedaskullfracture,concussion,andabrokennose. Detailsofinvestigation: Twomenwerearrestedthefollowingdaybutreleasedforlackofevidence. Background: Tonchevhasreportedlypreviouslyusedhissite,ZadKulisite,toreleaseinvestigativearticlesdetailingcorruptioninthecityofPomorie. IthasalsobeenreportedthatTonchevpreviouslyrantobecomeamemberoflocalparliament.

CROATIA

OnTrial

*AnteTOMIC:Profession:Writer,journalist,satiricalwriterforSlobodnaDalmacijaandJutarnjiListnationaldailynewspapers.Detailsoftrial:TheCroatiaJournalist’sAssociation(HND)reportsthatMinisterforCulture,HasanbegovićissuingTomicforpsychologicaldamagesupto30,000HRK.ThisisaresultofanarticleTomicpublishedinSerbiannewspaperNINon28January2016,entitled‘theSorrowsofaPoliticalMinotaur.’ThelawsuitclaimsthatTomic“wilfullyandmaliciouslycauseddamagetoHasanbegović.Tomic’slawyerarguedthattomicwasprotected“bythefundamentaltenetsoffreedomofexpressioninademocracy".Background:On31March2016,twomenphysicallyassaultedTomicandcalledhim“YugoslavScum”ashewasonhiswayhomefromthePričiginliteraryfestivalinSplit.TheMinisterforCultureHasanbegovićproducedastatementwarningof“theimportanceofbeingresponsibleforwordsspokenandwritteninpublic”.HiscommentswerecriticisedbyjournalistsfromJutarnjiListandTelegram.hraswellastheEuropeanFederationofJournalists.Theattackwasphotographed,andtwomenwerearrested.AneffigysymbolizingTomicwasburnedduringtheannualcarnivalinthemunicipalityofProlozacon17February2015.On23February2014,anunknownmandumpedabucketoffaecesoverTomic’sheadinacafeinthecentreofSplit.[Stoppress:Thetrialbeganon6July2016;thenexthearingisscheduledfor16November]

DeathThreat

*HrvojeMARJANOVIC:Profession:writerforonlinenewsIndex.hrDateofThreat:15April2016DetailsofThreat:Marjanovicreceievedmulitipledeaththreatsandthreatsofphysicalassault,inresponsetoasatiricalarticlehewroteforIndexaboutthevenerationofSaintLeopoldMandic'sbody,whichwasdeemedoffensivebymany.MostofthesethreatscameviaFacebookcommentswhenIndexsharedthearticleontheirFacebookpage.TheCroationJournalistsAssociation(HND)condemnedthe

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threats,saying“noarticleshouldbeusedasajustificationorareasonforverbalorphysicalviolence.”Detailsofinvestigation:Indexreportedtheincidenttothepolice.Thereisnofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

Attacked

ZeljkoPERATOVIC:Profession:freelancejournalistandbloggerDetailsofattack:ZeljkoPeratovicwasreportedlybeatenbythreeunknownassailantson28May2015.Thereportedattacktookplaceatapproximately7pminfrontofthejournalist’shomeinLukaPokupska,nearthetownKarlovac.TheallegedattackersarrivedbycarandbeatPeratovicaboutthehead,leavinghiminneedofmedicalattention.Detailsofinvestigation:Threemenwerearrestedbutquicklyreleased.InAugust2015,reportsindicatedthreemenweretobeinvestigatedforattemptedmurder.Update:InFebruary2016,theKarlovaccountystateattorneyreportedlyclosedthemurderattemptinvestigationforlackofevidence.Background:Peratoviciswellknownforhisinvestigativestories.Hehasreceivedseveralseriousthreatsinthepast.Awards:CroatianJournalistsAssociation'sInvestigativeJournalismAwardin2014.

Threatened

*IvicaDJIKIC:Profession:EditorinchiefofNovosti(weeklybilingualNewspaperwhichcoversissuesrelatingtotheSerbminority)DateofThreat:25April2016DetailsofThreat:AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProject,DjikicrecievedananonymousthreateningletterclaimingtocomefromtheDuvno/TomislavgradbranchoftheCroatianDefenseForces(HOS).ItwasreportedthatthisthreatwasinconnectiontoDjikic'spromotionofabookabouttheWorldWarIIatrocitiescommittedbytheultranationalistCroatiangroupUstasa.Thedetailsofthethreatwerenotpublished.Background:DjikicclaimsthathehasrecievedalmostdailythreatssincehispublicationofanarticleinFebruary2016claiminglinksbetweenHasanbegovic,MinisterforCulture,withfar-rightorganisations.Awards:DjikicrecievedtheMešaSelimovićAwardin2003forhisnovelCirkusColumbia.Harassed*TatjanaGROMACA(f):Profession:JournalistforNoviList(Left-wingdailynewspaper),poetandnovellistDateofHarassment:17May2016DetailsofHarassment:GromacawasfiredasawriterforNoviListinMay2016,shebelievesthatshewasdismissedasaresultofhercriticismofthe“nationalistpointofview”.AccordingtoBalkanInsight(BIRN),NoviListclaimsGromcawasdismissedbecausetheynolongerneededareportedinIstria,eventhoughshewasnotwiritingonIstrianissues,norwassheacorrespondentthere.*OrianaIVKOVIC(f):Profession:DeputyEditoroftportal.hrDateofHarassment:10May2016DetailsofHarassment:Index.hrreportedthatIvkovićwasfiredthedayafterpublishinganarticleon9May2016crtiticisingcorruptionandconflictofinterestintheCroatiangovernemnt.TheCroatianJournalist'sAssociation(HND)haveexpressedconcernoverthedismissal.Tportal.hr'seditor-in-chiefJozicclaimsthedismissalwasunrelatedtoNovokmet'scorruptionarticle.

FRANCE

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Since20November2015,FrancehasbeeninaStateofEmergencyafterseveralterroristattacksinFrancesinceJanuary2015,includingtheattackontheofficesoftheCharlieHebdomagazine(SeeCaseList2015).Concernshavebeenraisedabouttherestrictionsonjournalistsasaresult,whichincludetravelrestrictions,andlimitedaccesstopublicevents.[Stoppress:ThisistobeextendedfollowingtheterroristattackinNiceon14July2016].

Harassed*Marsactu(onlinenewsservice):Dateofharassment:28February2016and3March2016DetailsofHarasment:TheMarseilleofficesofonlinenewsserviceMarsactuwerebrokenintotwiceinoneweek.Thefirsttimecomputersandacamerawerestolen,laterthatweektheofficewassearched.Inapressrelease,Marsactujournalistsclaimedthattheir"journalisticactivityhasbeentargeted."Background:MarsctuspecialisesincontroversialtopicsandinvestigativejournalisminMarseille.TheyhavereportedonthepoliticsoftheFrontNationalPart,andecological,politcalandfinancialscandalsinMarseille.JudicialHarassment*GaspardGLANZ:Profession:IndependentjournalistforTaranisNews.Dateofharassment:3June2016Detailsofharassment:GlanzwasarrestedonhiswaytoaprotestinParisagainstaproposedlabourlaw.Glanztweetedfromthepolicevan,describingtheconditionssaying"There's12ofusintotalinthevan.It's40degrees.Nowater,noair".HehaspreviouslycoveredclashesbetweenpoliceandprotestorsforTaranis.AccordingtoatweetfromTaranisNews,hewasarrestedfor"formingagatheringwiththeintentionofcommittinganoffense".AlexisKRALAND(seebelow)wasarrestedwithhim.*AlexisKRALAND:Profession:Independentjournalist,whohasreportedabouttherefugeesinFrancefortheHuffingtonPost.Dateofharassment:3June2016Detailsofharassment:KralandwasarrestedonhiswaytoaprotestagainsttheproposedlabourlawinParis.GaspardGLANZ(seeabove)wasarrestedwithhim.GERMANYOntrial:*JanBOHMERMANN:Profession:hostofcomedyandsatireshowNeoMagazinRoyaleDetailsoftrial:BohmermannisfacingtrialforreadingoutanoffensivesatiricalpoementitledAbusiveCriticism,abouttheTurkishpresidentErdogan.BohmermannwasusingthepoemtohighlightthelittleknownGermanlawwhichprohibitsinsultingaforeignstaterepresentative.Indoingso,heaccusedErdoganofhavingsexwithanimals,peadophilia,domesticviolenceandrepressionofminorities.On6AprilcriminalinvestigationsbeganagainstBhermann,promptedbyaTurkishgovernmentalrequestandadefamationcomplaintfiledbyTurkishpresidentErdogan.Bohmermannfacesaprisonsentenceofuptofiveyearsforinsultingaforeignstaterepresentativeundersection103ofthecriminallawcode.Forthecasetogoahead,permissionwasneededfromChancellorMerkel,whodulygrantediton15April2016,eventhoughChancellorMerkelhasindicatedthatthelawwillberepealedby2018.On17May2016,theHamburgdistrictcourthasbannedpartsofthepoemdespitethefactErdoganrequestedthatthewholepoembebanned.Background:Bohmermannisknownfor

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controversialcomedyonhisshowNeoMagazinRoyale.Since12April,BohmermannandhisfamilyhavebeenunderpoliceprotectionhavingrecieveddeaththreatsfromerdogansupportersPENaction:statementof16April2016GREECE

Killed–Impunity

PavlosFYSSAS(akaKillahP):Profession:hiphopartistDateofbirth:aged34whenkilledDateofdeath:18September2013Detailsofkilling:FyssaswasstabbedtwiceoutsideacafeintheKeratsiniareawestofAthens.Detailsofinvestigation:Thepolicearrestedthereportedlyself-confessedkiller,GiorgosRoupakias,asupporteroffarrightpoliticalpartyGoldenDawn.Thetrialof68GoldenDawnmembersonchargesincludingthemurderofFyssasbeganon20April2015.Itwasadjournedseveraltimes(reportedlyduetotheabsenceofvirtuallyallpoliticiansimplicatedintheparty’sallegedcriminalactivities).JudgeshaveallowedFyssas’motherandsistertoaddressthecourtascivilclaimants.TheprosecutorhasproposedthatFyssas’relativesseekcompensationonlyfromthosechargedwiththeactualmurder,Roupakiasandhisaccomplices,andnotfromGoldenDawnpoliticianswhoareallegedtohavebeenbriefedabouttheattack.InthetrialFyssas’sfamilymembershavealltestifiedaccusingtheGoldenDawnofdirectingaprofessionalhitonFyssas.On17September2015NikosMichaloliakos,theleaderoftheGoldenDawn,acceptedpoliticalresponsibilityforthemurderofFyssasonliveradiobuthasnottestifiedofficially.SeventeenindividualsarebeingtriedforthemurderofFyssas.Havingspentthemaximum18monthsinpre-trialdetention,theyarenowlivingunderhousearrest.Thetrialisongoingasof30June2016.Attacked

*PetrosANASTASSIADESProfession:JournalistforRizospastis,theofficialnewspaperoftheGreekCommunistParty.Dateofattack:10March2016Detailsofattack:AnastassiadeswascoveringameetingonmigrationattheRegionalCouncilofAttica,whenhewasattackedby30‘GoldenDawn’members,accordingtoThePressProject.TheyreportedthatAnastassiadeswasattackedwhiletryingtoprotectanotheraudiencemember,asEliasPanagiotaros,MemberoftheGreekParliamentfor‘GoldenDawn’,wasspeaking.Policewhowereoutsidetheeventdidnotintervene.TheInternationalFederationofJournalists(IFJ),theEuropeanFederationofJournalists(EFJ)andtheJournalist’sUnionofAthensDailyNewspapers(ESIEA)condemnedtheattack.*OscarWEBB:Profession:Freelancejournalistwhoreportsontherefugeecrisisforonlinenewsservices,suchasMiddleEastEye.Dateofattack:6April2016DetailsofAttack:Webbwasassaultedatananti-refugeeprotestonChios.TheMappingMediaFreedomProjectreportedWebb’sdescriptionoftheattack:"Iwastoldtostopfilming.TheypushedmeandtriedtograbmycamerawhenIcontinuedfilming.Theytriedtosnapthemicrophoneoff.WhenIheldontomycameraandstoodmygroundamanpunchedme".Therearenodetailsofaninvestigationintotheattack.ITALY

OntrialMariaCATTINI(f),Profession:journalistatL’AquilablogGermanaD’ORAZIO(f),Profession:editorofL’Aquilablog

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Detailsoftrial:On1May2015PaoloCostanzi,anadministrationmanagerfortheregionalcouncilofAbruzzodemandedcompensationof51,000Eurosfordefamation.Cattinihadofferedtopublishaclarification,buttheofficialchosetosue.ThefirsthearingwasduetobeheldattheCivilCourtofL’Aquilaon7October2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.LiborioLAMATTINA:EmilianoROZZINO:Profession:journalistsforLaVocedelCanaveseSentence:18monthsandsixmonthsinprisonrespectivelyDetailsoftrial:BothwereconvictedinTurininrelationtoanarticleentitledCondominiopolipublishedon23July2007andtoacorrectionpublishedthefollowingweekonthebuildingboominChivasso.Followingthepublication,acitycouncilorofChivassoandhislawyersuedthemforlibel.LaMattinawassentencedto18monthsinprison(anaggravatedsentenceashehadalreadyreceivedanotherconvictionfordefamation)andRozzinosixmonths.Bothwereorderedtopaydamagesof20,000Euros.AnappealcourtupheldthesentencesinDecember2014.On6November2015,theSupremeCourtannulledtheappealcourtverdictandorderedtheappealtobereheard.Nonewinformationabouttheappealasof30June2016.Deaththreat*PaoloBORROMETI:Profession:founderofonlinenewspaperLaSpiaDetailsofthreat:Borrometiwasphysicallyassaulted,hishousewasattackedandhereceivednumerousdeaththreats.InOctober2015,allegedMafiabossofVittoriaGionbattistaVenturasentathreatsaying“Youwilldie.NotevenJesusChristwillhelpyou”viaFacebook.Detailsofinvestigation:Hewasputunderpoliceprotectionfollowingnumerousdeaththreatswhichwereinvestigatedbythepolice.On12July2016,thetrialbeganofGionbattistaVentura,whoisamongthoseaccusedofthreateningBorrometi.Background:Borrometiiscurrentlyunderpoliceprotection.Between31December2015and26January2016,GiusepeCammalleri,underhousearrest,sentthreateningandinsultingmessagestoBorrometiviatheLaSpia.BorrometifiledtwocomplaintsofdefamationagainstCammalleritotheRagusaPolice,thefirston21January2016andthenagainon15February2016.Cammallerifacesaworseningofhishousearrestconditions.Awards:Borrometihasreceivednumerousawardsforhiswritingincludingin2014thePremionazionalediGiornalismod'Inchiesta"DomenicoCalabrò"(Nationalinvestigativejournalismaward)andin2016thePremioIlCampione(CityAngelseComunediMilano).In2015hewasawardedtheCavaliereOrdinealMeritodellaRepubblicaItaliana(OrdeofMeritoftheItalianRepublic).Attacked*PeppePACE:journalistfornewswebsiteFanPage*AntonioMUSELLA:journalistfornewswebsiteFanPageDateofattack:16March2016Detailsofattack:ThejournalistswerebothphysicallyandverballyassaultedbyPisanoFoundryworkersinFratta.TheMappingMediaFreedomProjectreportsthatthejournalistsweredocumentingactivistsprotestingthereopeningofthefactory,whichhasbeenrecognisedasanenvironmentalthreat.TheyreportedtheincidenttopoliceinSolerno,yetthereisnoknowninformationofaninvestigation.

*AntonioPASSANESE:Profession:JournalistforCorriereFiorentino(onlinenewswebsite)DateofAttack:19June2016DetailsofAttack:PassanesewasassaultedbyformermayorofSestoFiorentino,GianiGianassi.AccordingtoOssigeno,thiswastopreventhimfromreportingtheresultofamunicipalballot.

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GianassiallegedlypushedandverballyassaultedthejournalistwhowastakingphotosoftheformermayorsupportingtheelectionofLorenzoFalchiofSinistraItaliana.*IlariaPRETI(f):Profession:BloggerDateofAttack:5January2016Detailsofattack:AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProject,Pretiwasphysicallyandverballyassaulted,byLanfrancoGaravaglia.GaravagliaistheformerpresidentofMorusNigra,alocalservicesagency.PoliceintervenedtostoptheassaultwhichtookplaceattheFeastofEpiphanyfestivalinOssona,Milan.TheattackcameafterPretipostedonCronacaossona.itaboutirregularitiesinaMorusNigrabuildingprojecton10December2015.Background:On11Decemeber2015shereceivedthreateningphonecallsfromGaravaglia.On7January,PretipressedchargesfortheassaultandthreatsattheCaribinieristationinCorbetta. Threatened

*GaiaBOZZA(f):Profession:journalistfornewswebsiteFanPageDateofthreat:10June2016Detailsofthreat:OssigenoreportedthatBozzawasthreatenedbyCiroFroncillo,founderofAvoG,anassociationwhichmanagesfoodstandsinNapoli.Heallegedlyyelled“I’mgoingtokillher.I’mgoingtoripherheadoff.”Bozzawasinvestigatingcorruptionduringthe5Junelocalelection,wherefoodwasallegedlygiveninexchangeforvotesforFroncillo’sdaughter.*LeonardoPALMISANO:writer,professorofsociologyatthePolytechnicUniversityofBari,andco-authorofGhettoItalia*YvanSAGNET:Activist,andco-authorofGhettoItaliaDateofthreat:January2016Detailsofthreat:theMappingMediaFreedomProjectreportedthatPalmisanoandSagnetwerethreatenedoverthephoneandfollowedinthestreetafterthepublicationoftheirbookGhettoItaliaon5November2015.GhettoItaliainvestigatestheillegalhiringpractisesandlivingconditionsofforeignworkers.Theyreportedthethreatstoanti-MafiaprosecutorsinBariinFebruary2016.*BenedettaSALSI(f):Profession:journalistforIlRestodelCarlino,adailylocalnewspaperDateofthreat:25February2016Detailsofthreat:AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomCampaign,SalsiwasthreatenedviapostontheMuslimsofItalyFacebookgroup,whichcalledherIslamophobic,revealedsomeofherpersonalinformationandthreatenedthat“underIslamiclawtheseactsareseverlthreatenedthat“underIslamiclawtheseactsareseverlypunished.”ThiscameaftershepublishedanarticleforIlRestodelCarlinoaboutLucaAleotti,whoisunderinvestigationforterrorism.Salsireportedthethreattolocalpolice,andfiledadefamationcase.*AndreaSCANO:Profession:JournalistforL’UnioneSardaDateofThreat:24February2016Detailsofthreat:AccordingtoOssigeno,ScanoreceivedthreethreateningmessagesfromatradeunionrepresentativeforEuralluminaanaluminiumoxideplantinCarbonia.ThisfollowedanarticleScanopublishedon23February2016citingconcernsovertheenvironmentalpollutionoftheplantthatisawaitinglocalgovernmentpermissiontoreopenthecoalplant.ScanotoldOssigeno‘InthisclimateoftensionandintimidationneitherInorothercolleaguesofmynewspaperfeelfreetofollowtheevolutionofthestorythatrelatestoEurallumina’.RuggeroVANTAGGIATO:Profession:directorandfounderofthebiannualsatiricalmagazineLaCarrozzaDateofthreat:21January2016Detailsofthreat:Anenvelopecontainingover30022-caliberbullets,abrochureofthe

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SundayliturgyandalocalcopyofthemagazinewasdeliveredtotheheadquartersofthemagazineinLecce.Vantaggiatoisnowunderpoliceprotection.Judicialharassment*DaniloLUPO:Profession:JournalistforLa.7Detailsofharrasment:On17May2016,theCityCouncilofLeccemandatedalawyertofilealibelcasetowardsLupoforcommentsmadeonhisFacebookpage.OssigenoreportedthatLupoallegedlywrote“ApparentlyinLecceyoucandoanything.Youcansquatacouncilhouse.Justgetthecouncilor’sapproval.Youcanbuythebestpiecesofmunicipalassets.Justgetpermissionfromthemayor.”Therearenofurtherdetailsabouthistrial.*FrancescoMANDOLINI:Profession:BloggerDateofharassment:19May2016Detailsofharassment:OssigenoreportsthatMayorofMonteSanVito,SabrinaSartini,announcedviaFacebookthatthecitycouncilwerepressingchargesagainstMandolini.Thiscameafterhepublishedanarticleonhisblogon17May2016,criticisingthelackofemergencyroomsatahospitalinChiaravalle.TheywishtoclaimcompensationanddamagesforsuggestingtheMayor’shealthcarepolicieswereafailure.SentencedFabioCAPOLLA,Profession:journalistatIlTempoAbruzzoGianfrancoFALCONI,Profession:bloggerandmanagerofduepunti.itSentence:suspendedprisontermandafineDetailsoftrial:bothmenwerechargedunderarticle684ofthecriminalcodeforthearbitrarypublicationofcriminaldocumentsinrelationtoarticlespublishedin2013describingcomplaintsofallegedharassmentmadebyafemalepoliceofficeroftheTeramoLocalPoliceConstabularyagainsthercommander.On5February2016,aTerramoCourtconvictedbothmen,andsentencedthemtoasuspendedprisontermandafineof€160.TheCapollaandFalconiarereportedlyappealingthesentencetotheSupremeCourt.AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProject,theUnionofJournalistsofAbruzzoandtheOrderofJournalistsofAbruzzo,haveexpressedsolidaritywiththemediaworkersandbelievethecasesetsa“adangerousprecedent”.*PasqualeCLEMENTE:Profession:Editor-in-chiefofIlRomanewspaperSentence:Twoyearsinprisonandafineof€1,500,Detailsoftrial:ClementewastriedinthecriminalcourtofNolainNaplesonlibelchargesunderArticle13ofthepresslawn.37/48.Hewassuedon22July2010byPasqualeGiuliano,aformerjudgeandsenator.Hesuedforlibelforanarticlepublishedon30April2010editedbyClementeinwhichhecriticisedthepolitician.On3June2016,hewassentencedtotwoyearsinprisonandafine.ClementesaidtoOssigenoaftertheconviction“Iambaffledbythebehaviorofthejudiciarybecauseinsteadofdealingwithcriminals,theysentenceathoughtoffence”.Clemente’slawyerannouncedthatGiulianohasalsoadvancedaclaimfordamagesbeforetheJudgeoftheCivilCourt.Thecivilcaseisstillpending.Otherinformation:InFebruary2016ClementewasindictedalongsideFrattasi(seebelow)ajournalistforIlRoma,bymayorofNaples,LuigiDeMagistris.InhisarticleFrattasiquotedAmedoLabocetta’scommentsaboutthemayor’scorruption.Therearenofurtherdetailsaboutthetrial.

*PietroCOMITO:Profession:JournalistsforCalabriaOra(dailynewspaper)Sentence:€13,100infinesanddamagesDetailsoftrial:VincenzoSaracosuedComitoin2010fortwoarticlespublishedinClabriaOraon17September2010and19November2010.OssigenoreportsthatComitowassentencedon9March2016,topayVincenzoSaraco€13,100infinesanddamages.ComitoisappealingtheFirstCriminal

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ChamberoftheCourtofAppealsofCatanzarowhichoverturnedhisacquittalbytheCourtofCosenza.*PierluigiFRATTASI:Profession:journalistforIlRoma,adailynewspaperDetailsoftrial:OssigenoreportsthatFrattasiwasindictedbytheProsecutoroftheCourtofSantaMaria,CapuaVetere,inFebruary2016.Hewassuedforlibelon19December2014byLuigiDeMagistris,mayorofNaples,foranarticlepublishedon2November2014.InthisarticleFrattasiquotedAmedoLabocetta,formerdeputyregionalcoordinatorofForzaItalia,whoclaimedthatthemunicipaladministrationwas"proppedupbythebuyingandsellingofvotesandabstentionsinthecitycouncil."LabocettaandeditorofIlRoma,PasqualeClemente(seeabove)werealsosued.Therearenofurtherdetailsaboutthetrialasof30June2016.AdelinaLilliMANDARA(f),Profession:reporterforIlMessaggeroMarioORFEO,Profession:editor-in-chiefofIlMesaggeroSentence:45,000EurocompensationDetailsoftrial:Bothwereconvictedofdefamationon20October2015fora16September2011articlewhichinvestigatedthethen-PrimeMinister'sallegedpromisestotheDirectoroftheRegionalEnvironmentalAgencyoftheAbruzzoRegion,usinginformationthatemergedfromaninvestigationcarriedoutbyaprosecutorinNaples.TheyweresuedforlibelbytheDirector.*NicolaRINAUDOProfession:editorandpublisherofExtramagazineDateofsentence:15January2016Detailsofsentence:Oneyearsuspendedprisonsentenceand€5,300infinesanddamagesDetailsoftrial:Rinaudowassuedfor€10,000ofdamagesfordefamationbyGirolamoFazio,MPoftheSicilianRegionalAssemblyandformermayorofTrapani.TheprisonsentenceissuspendedontheconditionthatRinaudopays€5000toFazio.AccordingtoOssigeno,ShewassuedforacommentshewroteinanarticleinExtrainMay2013inwhichsheclaimedthat“Fazio,whohassincebeenpromoted…politically,wanders–attheexpenseofthetax-payingcitizens–onboardofa‘bluecar’assignedbytheSicilianRegion.”ReleasedMassimilianoAMATO:Profession:journalistandwriterDateofrelease:On3February2016,AmatowasfullyacquittedbythejudgeoftheFourthChamberoftheCourtofNaplesDetailsoftrial:MassimilianoAmato,oneoftheauthorsofthebookIlCasalesewhichtellsofthestoryoftheformereconomyundersecretaryNicolaCosentinowastriedfordefamationfollowingacomplaintbyPalmiroCosentino,thebrotherofNicola,asthebookhadconfusedhimwithanephew.Onlearningoftheerror,Amatoapologisedandensuredfurthereditionswerecorrected.

*EmilianoFITTIPALDI:JournalistandauthorofAvarice,aboutVaticancorruption*GianluigiNUZZI:JournalistandauthorofMerchantsintheTemple,aboutVaticancorruptionDateofrelease:7July2016Detailsofrelease:NuzziandFittipaldiwereacquittedbyaVaticancourtafterjudgesruledthattheydidnothavetheauthoritytoexaminetheircases.Detailsoftrial:NuzziandFittipaldiwereputontrialinNovember2015,alongsidethreeVaticanemployees.Theyweretriedunderalawthatcriminalisedtheleakingofdocumentsthatwasintroducedin2013.Bothjournalistsfaceduptoeightyearsinprisonifconvicted.TheInternationalPublishersAssociation(IPA)andtheItalianPublisher’sassociation(AIE)bothcondemnedtheVaticanforputtingthejournalistsontrial,astheydidnotcompromiseVaticanpublicsecurity.PENaction:statement8July2016

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KAZAKHSTAN

Imprisoned–MainCase

VladimirKOZLOV:Profession:journalistandleadingmemberofAlga!(Forward!),apopular,unregisteredoppositionpartyinKazakhstan.Inadditiontohisworkinprintmedia,hehasworkedasaneditorfortheAKTiViTVchannel,andwasalsooneofthefoundersoftheKazakhstan’sfirstprivatetelevisionchannel,Aktau-Lada.Dateofbirth:10August1960Sentence:Seven-and-a-half-yearprisonsentenceDateofarrest:23January2012Detailsofarrest:Followingapolicemassacreofapproximately15strikingoilworkersinZhanaozen(December2011),KozlovtravelledtoEuropeandmetwithMembersoftheEuropeanParliamentandtheEuropeanCommission,callingforaninternationalinvestigationintothekilling.HewasarrestedonhisreturntoKazakhstanon23ofJanuary2012bythestaffoftheNationalSecurityCommittee.Currentplaceofdetention:Inmid-March2014,followinginternationalappealsfromhumanrightsorganisations,KozlovwastransferredfromthepenalcolonyinPetropavlovsk(164/3)toPenalColony155/14inZarechnoe(orZarechnoy)villageinAlmaty.InPetropavlovsk,Kozlovhadbeen1800kmawayfromhisfamilyinAlmaty.InearlyFebruary2015,Kozlovwasdeniedatransferrequesttoaprisonwithamorelenientregime.ThecommissionthatreviewedKozlov’srequesttobetransferreddecidedthatheshouldspendtherestofhissentenceintheprisonwhereheiscurrentlyheld.Detailsoftrial:On16ofAugust2012,hewaschargedunderthefollowingarticlesoftheCriminalCodeoftheRepublicofKazakhstan:Article164.3('incitingsocialhatred'),Article170.2('callingtotheoverthrowoftheconstitutionalorderofthestate')andArticle235.1('creatingandmanaginganorganisedcriminalgroupwithaviewtocommittingoneormorecrimes').Hedeniedallcharges.On8October2012hewasconvictedandsentencedtosevenandahalfyearsinprison,whichwasupheldbytheAppellateCourton19November2012.Kazakhstan'sSupremeCourtrefusedtoreviewKozlov’scaseon5August2013,sayingtherewere‘nogroundsfordoingso.’Conditionsofdetention:InJuly2015,Kozlovwasplacedinsolitaryconfinementatleasttwiceafterheprotestedatdeterioratingprisonconditions.Otherinformation:On11June2014,IsabelSantos,theChairoftheOSCEParliamentaryAssembly'sCommitteeonDemocracy,HumanRightsandHumanitarianQuestions,visitedKozlovinprisonandraisedhis‘andotherpolitically-motivatedcases’withtheKazkahgovernment.InNovember2015,avideointerviewwithVladimirKozlovinprisonwaspublishedonline.PENAction:KozlovwasoneofPEN’sEmptyChairsatthePENInternationalWorldCongressinBishkek,KyrgyzstaninSeptember2014.BeforetheCongressbegan,asmallPENdelegationtravelledtoKazakhstanwheretheyvisitedKozlovinjail,expressingsolidarity.HepassedonamessagetothedelegationtobesharedwithPENmembersatthecongress.ThePENdelegationalsoprotestedKozlov’simprisonmentatameetingwiththeHeadoftheExecutiveOfficeofthePresidentoftheRepublicofKazakhstan,theChairmanofTheCommitteeofCriminalandtheExecutiveSystem.JointstatementwithOpenDialogFoundation,27August2015;RAN11/15.[StopPress:InAugust2016,alocalcourtorderedKozlov’searlyrelease]

Imprisoned:investigationAronATABEK:Profession:poet,writer,newspaperpublisherandpoliticalactivistDateofbirth:31January1953Sentence:18yearsinprisonDateofarrest:17July2006Detailsofarrest:ArrestedfollowingaJuly2006riotthatbrokeoutintheShanyrakshantytownofAlmatyafterlocalresidentsandactivistgroupsclashedwithsecurityforcesthathadbeenbroughtintocleartheareafordemolition.

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Currentplaceofdetention:AP162/1inPavlodarDetailsoftrial:chargedandconvictedin2007oforganisingmassdisorder.PENiscurrentlyinvestigatingreportsthathewasalsoconvictedonothercharges.Atabekdeniedthecharges.HisappealagainsttherulingwasdismissedinAugust2008.Someobserverssaidthatthetrialwasunfair;theprosecution’stwokeywitnessessaid–aftertheguiltyverdict–thattheyhadbeentorturedbythepoliceintogivingfalseevidenceagainstAtabek.InDecember2014acourtinAstanadismissedAtabek’sappealagainsthisdetention.Conditionsindetention:AtabekwasheldinahighsecurityjailinArkalyk,over1,600kmawayfromhisfamily,untilOctober2013.Hewasplacedinsolitaryaspunishmentforwritingabookthatcriticisedthepresident(thebook,HeartofEurasia,waswritteninprison,smuggledout,andpublishedontheinternetin2012).Hewasreportedlydeniedaccesstonaturallight,communicationwithotherprisoners,andwritingmaterials.Thiswashissecondperiodinsolitaryconfinement;hepreviouslyspenttwoyears(2010-2012)thereforrefusingtowearaprisonuniform.Hewasdeniedfamilyvisitsfrom2010untiltheendof2013.InSeptember2013,theKaragandaregionalcourtsaidthatitwouldhearanappealagainstAtabek’ssolitaryconfinementsentence.InearlyOctober2013,Atabek’sfamilyreceivedananonymoustelephonecallinformingthemthatthepoetwastobetransferredtoKarazhalPrisonintheKargandyregion.ThefamilysaythattheydidnotreceiveanycommunicationfromAtabekorfromtheprisonauthoritiesregardingthismove.AskarAidarkhan,Atabek’ssonmadeseveralattemptstodiscoverthewhereaboutsofhisfather.Hecontactedtheprisonadministrationnumeroustimes,askingforconfirmationthatAtabekwasnowbeingheldinKarazhalPrison.However,oneachoccasion,theprisonauthoritiesrefusedtogivehimthisinformation.AccordingtoAtabek’sson,alocalKazakhhumanrightsorganisationwasabletoconfirmwiththeprisonauthoritiesthatAtabekleftArkalykPrisonon5October2013.InearlyDecember2013,Askarwasabletovisithisfatherinprison.On5December2013,itwasreportedthatAtabekwouldbetransferredtoaminimum-securitypenalcolonynearAlmaty,closertohisfamily.On7April2014Atabekwastransferredtoanotherprison,AP162/1inPavlodar.InJuly2014Atabek’ssonrevealedthathisfatherhassufferedregularbeatingstohisheadandneckduringhisincarcerationinthisnewprisonfacility.InNovember2014,Atabekallegedthatprisonguardsweredeliberatelysplashingwatercontaininghighconcentrationsofchlorineintohiscell,causinghimrespiratoryproblemsandskinirritation.AccordingtolocalmediasourcesinSeptember2015hewasplacedtosolitaryconfinementallegedly‘byhisowndecision’probablybecauseoftheotherprisonersinthecell.Intotalhehasnowspentsixyearsinsolitaryconfinement.Background:AtabekhaswrittenseveralbooksofpoetryandproseinspiredbyTengriistspirituality,aswellasabookabouttherelationshipbetweentheAlashandtheKazakhs.InFebruary1992,hefoundedandorganisedthepublicationofthemonthlynewspaperKhak(TheTruth).Hewasawardedtheliterary‘AlmasKylysh’prizein2004,aswellastheFreedomtoCreate‘Imprisoned’prizein2010.On28May2014,CatherineAshton,theHighRepresentativeforForeignAffairsandSecurityPolicyfortheEuropeanUnionrespondedonbehalfoftheEuropeanCommissiontoaquestionintheEuropeanparliamentaryaboutAronAtabek.Shesaid:‘Noevidencelinkinghimexplicitlytothedeathofthepoliceofficerortoviolencewaspresentedincourt...TheEUisandwillcontinuetofollowthedevelopmentsinthiscaseverycloselyandtoencouragetheKazakhauthoritiestoensurethatMrAron'srighttoafairtrialhasbeenrespected,andthathistreatmentisinlinewithKazakhstan'sinternationalcommitmentsandobligations.’PENAction:Callstoaction5August2013;Updateson24,29October,12November2013and6January2014,17March2014,20June2014.ShortlybeforePENInternational’sWorldCongressinBishkek,Kyrgyzstan(September2014),asmallPENdelegationtravelledtoKazakhstanwheretheyprotestedAtabek’silltreatmentatameetingwithHeadoftheExecutiveOfficeofthePresidentoftheRepublicofKazakhstan,theChairmanoftheCommitteeofCriminalandtheExecutiveSystem.WorldPoetryDayAction2015and2016.Imprisoned–maincase*GuzyalBAIDALINOVA(f):

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Profession:OwnerofthewebsiteNakanune.kzSentence:oneandahalfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:23December2015Detailsofarrest:GuzyalBaidalinova,alongwithRafaelBalginandYuliaKozlova(seebelow),hadherapartmentandofficesearchedbypoliceonthe18December2015.Shewasreportedlybeingprosecutedfor‘spreadingfalseinformation’abouttheactivitiesofKazkommertsbank.InvestigatorsallegethatKZT144,253,090(about$442,380)worthofdamagewascaused,andthischargecarriesamaximumofsevenyears’imprisonment.Almatypolicesaythattheywerebeginningpre-trialinvestigationsagainstNakanune.kzforallegedlydisseminatingfalseinformationabouttheactivitiesofKazkommertsbank.Onthe23December2015shewasplacedunderarrestforthreedays.Onthe26December2015shewasplacedunderarrestfortwomonths,withbailsetatKZT5,946,000(around$18,234).Anapartmentinthenameofmembersofherfamilywasgivenasbail,butshewasnotreleasedasKazakhlawallowsprosecutorsthreedaystoappeal.Theyappealedon28December,andon31DecemberAlmatyCityCourtgrantedthiscomplaintandcancelledbail,remandingherincustody.Onthe16February2016AlmatyDistrictCourtprolongedthepre-trialarrestofBaidalinova,rulingthatshemustbekeptincustodyuntilatleast23March.Baidalinovarejectedthechargesandcalledthempoliticallymotivated.Detailsofdetention:Baidalinovawasheldinpre-trialdetentionfromherarrestuntilhercourthearings,despitemultiplerequestsforbail.Baidalinovaandherlawyerarereportedlysubjecttonon-disclosureagreementsasdetailedinKazakhcriminalproceduralcode,andwerethusnotallowedtoshareinformationwiththirdparties;detailsaboutdetention,trialandchargesareoftenunclear.Detailsoftrial:ThecourtcaseagainstBaidalinovawasriginallyscheduledtocommenceonthe5May2016,butwas‘suddenlypostponedwithoutexplanation’twohoursafterthehearingsbegan,sheherselfwroteonherownFacebookpage.TheheadoftheUnionofJournalistsofKazakhstanreportedlysaidthatshedoubtsthatthetrialwillbe‘objective,fairandimpartial’.Baidalinovawasreportedlyconvictedandsentencedon23May2016toayearandahalfinprisonfor‘deliberatelydistributingfalseinformation’.[StopPress:On12July,theAlmatyCourtofAppealsuspendedthesentenceandorderedtheimmediatereleaseofBaidalinova]Background:BaidalinovapreviouslyworkedasaneditorialworkerforthenewspaperGolosRespubliki,whichwasshutdownbythegovernmentinearly2012.SheandotherjournalistsfromGolosRespublikihadreportedlyalsoreceiveddeaththreatsfromplain-clothespoliceofficersafterlaunchinganothernewsservice,R-studio.Baidalinovawasfeaturedinthe2013caselistaftershewasattackedon26April2013;shestatedthatshebelievedthatthiswasanattempttointimidateher.InSeptember2013shewasfoundliableinalibelcaseKazkommertsbankbroughtforlossofreputation.Otherinformation:Baidalinovawasmentionedinthe10March2016EuropeanParliamentresolutiononFreedomofExpressioninKazakhstan.Awards:BaidalinovawasawardedtheLibertyawardofKazakhstanbytheLibertyAwardCommitteeon31May2016,forhercontributiontodemocraticinstitutionsinthecountry.Imprisoned–investigationJaroslavGOLYSHKIN:Profession:editorofnewspaperVersion(basedinPavlodar)Sentence:eightyearsinprisonDateofarrest:14May2015Detailsoftrial:Golyshkinwasarrestedon14May2015inconnectionwithaninvestigationintoallegedblackmailandextortion.Theinvestigationwasreportedlyinstigatedbythegovernoroftheregion,whosaidthathehadbeenthevictimofablackmailattemptbyunknownpersons.Theallegedblackmailersreportedlyaskedfor$50,000inexchangeforavideoinwhichthegovernor’ssonisaccusedofrapebyhisallegedvictim,whoalsoclaimsthatshewasthreatenedabouttalkingabouttheallegedincident.Versionhadreportedlypublishedarticlesrelatingtotheallegedcrime.Currentplaceofdetention:Maximumsecurityprison161/2inKostanaiDetailsoftrial:Afterseveralextensionsofhispre-trialdetentioninAugustandSeptember2015,Golyshkinwasfoundguiltyofextortionandsentencedon30October2015toeightyearsinprison.On17November2015itwasreportedthatGolyshkinwouldappealhissentence,althoughthiswassubsequentlydismissedon23February2016.Background:Golyshkinisknownfordoingwell-

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researchedstoriesoncorruptionandcriminalcases.Hereportedlycontactedtheallegedvictimandfilmedheraccountoftheallegedassault.Hedidnotpublishthevideo.Inmid-April,hewassummonedforquestioningbytheNationalSecurityAgency(KNB)andlearnedthatthegovernorhadaccusedhimofblackmailonthebasisofthevideo.Accordingtoreports,thejournalistwassubjectedtorepeatedinterrogationswithoutbeingcharged;hesurrenderedallcopiesofthevideototheauthorities.Accordingtohislawyer,hewasfinallyarrestedwhenherefusedtomakeafalsestatementclearingthegovernor'ssonofanyblame.

Detained-investigation

*AsetMATAEV,Profession:DirectorofindependentnewsagencyKazTag*SeytkazyMATAEV(alsoknownasSeitkazi,Seitqazi),Profession:ChairmanofKazakhstan’sJournalistsUnion,headoftheNationalPressClubDateofarrest:28March2016and22FebruaryrespectivelyDetailsofarrest:Onthe22February2016,AsetMataevandhisfather,Seytkazyweredetainedforquestioningrelatingtoallegedembezzlementandtaxevasion.Mataevandhissonreportedlyrejectedtheaccusations.WhileSeytkazywaskeptunderdetentionandthentransferredtohousearrest,Asetwasreleasedseveralhoursafterhewasoriginallydetained.AsettoldRFE/RLthattheaccusationswere‘politicallymotivated’.Asetwasthenreportedlyplacedunderhousearreston28March2016,andhisappealtobereleasedonbailwasdenied.On24February2016theMedeudistrictcourtruledthatSeytkazyMataevcouldbetransferredtohousearrestwhileinvestigationswereongoing.Bothhaveremainedunderhousearrest,withrepeatedappealsforbailreportedlybeingdenied.Detailsoftrial:Theirtrialonchargesofembezzlementandtaxevasionisscheduledtobeginon23August2016Otherinformation:RightsorganisationshavesaidthattheybelievethatSeytkazyMataevisbeingprosecuted‘ontrumped-upchargesbecauseofhisworkasajournalist’.AdilSoz,anAlmaty-basedmediarightsorganisationhasalsosaidthattheyrejecttheaccusationsasbeingpoliticallymotivated,andthattheKazakhauthoritiesweretryingto‘curboperationsoftheNationalPressClub’.AsiscommoninKazakhstan,bothmenandtheirlawyerarerestrictedfromtalkingtothepressbylaw.OntrialAigulMUSABAEVA(f):Profession:editorofthenewspaperIssykskiyVestnikDetailsoftrial:Shewaschargedwithcriminallibelon30March2015,followingacomplaintbythedeputydirectoroflegalcollege,GulbarshynMukhamedzhanova,inEnbekshikazakhDistrictCourt(AlmatyOblast).Thedeputydirectorallegesthattheeditor,inanarticlepublishedon10March2015(entitled‘DeathUnderBridge’)aboutthedeathofastudent,‘disseminatedmisleadinginformation.’Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.SentencedErmekNARYMBAEV:Profession:CivicactivistSentence:twoandhalfyears‘lessprohibitiveformsofdeprivationofliberty,outsideofprison’reducedfromthreeyearsinprisononappeal.Dateofarrest:12October2015Detailsofarrest:ErmekNarymbaevwasarrestedalongwithSerikzhanMambetalin(seeunderReleasedbelow),tobeinvestigatedonchargesof‘incitingnationaldiscord’,relatingtowritingsattributedtoanotheractivist,MuratTelibekov,whichtheyhadpostedonFacebook.ReportsindicatethatNarymbaev’shouseandofficeweresearchedandlaptopsandmodemswereconfiscated.Hislawyerwaspermittedtobepresentwhenhishousewassearched,butnothisoffice.BothheandMambetalinweredetainedforthetwomonthsbetweentheirarrestsandtheirtrial.Detailsoftrial:Themen’strialbeganon9December2015,andreportedlyininitialhearinghepetitionedthecourttodismissthecaseonthegroundsthattheymenhadcommittednocrimes.Thetrialswererepeatedlyprotested,andon8December2015thejudgeblockedanyoneotherthan

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prosecutors,lawyersandpublicdefendersfromenteringthecourt.On22January2016,hewassentenvedtothreeyears’imprisonmentandwasbarredfromcivicactivitiesforfiveyears.On30March2016thiswascommutedtotwoandahalfyears‘lessprohibitiveformsofdeprivationofliberty’onappeal.Thelengthwasreducedbasedontimealreadyspentimprisoned.Thefive-yearbanonhisactivitieswithpublicassociationsremainsinplace.Healthconcerns:Narymbaevisinpoorhealth.Heisknowntohaveheartandbreathingproblems,whichreportedlyledtohiscollapseduringhistrial.On6Januaryhewasrushedfromcourttohospital.Healsowentonhungerstrikeon18Januaryinprotestathistrialandsentence.Hewasboughtintohisfinalcourthearingonthe22Januaryonastretcherandspentthehearinglyingonabench.Background:Narymbaevisalong-termcriticofthePresident,andactiveonsocialmedia.Hewaspreviouslyarrestedin2014forprotestingaboutKazakhstanjoiningtheEurasianEconomicUnion.On21August2015,Narymbaevwasarrestedandsentencedto20days’imprisonment.Hewasfoundguiltyofallegedlyconveninganunsanctioneddemonstrationthatdidnottakeplace.ConditionalRelease

AleksandrKHARLAMOV:Profession:journalistDateofarrest:14March2013Detailsofarrest:PolicereportedlysearchedhishomeandtheofficeoftheRidderskiyeVesti(‘TheRidderNews’)newspaperon6February,2013,seizinghispersonalcomputeraswellassevennewspaperscontaininghisarticles.WhenKharlamovappearedatthepolicestationdemandingthereturnofhiscomputer,hewasarrested.Dateofrelease:On3September2013,hewasreleasedfromjailonbail,pendinginvestigation.Detailsofdetention:Kharlamovspentsixmonthsindetention,includingsevenweeksenforcedresidencyinapsychiatricclinicinAlmaty,wherehisfamilyweredeniedaccesstohim.Detailsoftrial:AninvestigationbeganinSeptember2012.Hewaschargedafterhisarrestwith‘incitingreligioushatred’underArticle164.1oftheKazakhstanCriminalCoderelatingtoanumberofhisblogposts(thejournalistisanatheist).Histrialbeganon19July2013,withtheprosecutionseekingafour-yearjailterm;inAugust,theprosecutionrequestedanadjournmentforfurtherinvestigation.Theinvestigationisongoing,thoughthereligiousfreedomwatchdogForum18reportedthattheDeputyHeadofEastKazakhstanPolicetoldthemthat‘Kharlamovshouldnotworry;wearenotintendingtoputhiminprison.’Hefacesuptosevenyearsinprisonifconvicted.ThecasewasbelievedtoremainopenattheendofJune2016.Otherinformation:Accordingtothejournalist’swife,localauthoritiesinRidderlaunchedaninvestigationagainsthimafteranarticlehewrotecriticisingthelocalpolice.Heattributeshisreleasetointernationalpressure.InAugust2013,severalUNHumanRightsmechanismswrotetotheKazakhauthoritiesexpressingconcernabouthiscase.ReleasedAmangeldyBATYRBEKOV:Profession:headofthenon-governmentalorganisationAdilet(Justice)andchairmanoftheEdiletnewspaperpublicunionSentence:oneandahalfyearsinjailDateofrelease:28January2016Detailsoftrial:BatyrbekovwaschargedwithlibelforcriticisingalocalprosecutorinrelationtoanarticleheauthoredthatwaspublishedintheEdiletnewspaperon10April2015inwhichhecriticisedalocalprosecutor.Hewassentencedtooneandahalfyearsinprisonon29October2015.Update:Hewasacquittedbyanappealscourton28January2016.YuliaKOZLOVA(f):Profession:journalistatNakanune.kzDateofrelease:29February2016Detailsoftrial:On18December2015,policesearchedtheofficesinAlmatyofNakanune.kzandthehomesoftheownerofthewebsite,GuzyalBaidalinova,andoneofthewebsite'sjournalists,YuliaKozlova.Almatypolicesaidtheyhaveinitiatedpre-trialinvestigationsagainstNakanune.kzforallegedlydisseminatingfalse

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informationabouttheactivitiesofthebankKazkommertsbank.Kozlovaisalsoaccusedofusingnarcotics,afterpoliceplantednarcoticsduringtheirsearch.Kozlovawaslaterchargedwithillegaldrugspossession,butshewasunexpectedlyacquittedon29FebruarybyanAlmatyCityCourt,afterthecourtruledthattheoriginofthedrugsfoundKozlova’sapartmentinDecemberhadnotbeenestablished.Thejournalisthadplednotguilty,sayingthatthedrugshadbeenplantedandthatthecaseagainstherwaspoliticallymotivated.SerikzhanMAMBETALIN:Profession:PoliticalactivistandformerheadoftheRukhaniyatPartySentence:Two-yearprisonsentenceDateofarrest:12October2015Dateofrelease:30January2016Detailsofarrest:SerikzhanMambetalinwasarrestedwithErmekNarymbaev(seeabove)afterthepolicereceivedinformationthat‘theyhadcirculatedmaterialonsocialmediathatcontainsclearsignsofincitingnationaldiscord[and]insultingnationalhonouranddignity,’accordingtoapolicestatement.ThechargesappeartobeconnectedtopostsmadeonFacebookbybothactivistsaboutwritingsattributedtoanotheractivist,MuratTelibekov.On15Decemberatwo-monthpre-trialdetentionwasconfirmedbyanAlmatycourt.Detailsofrelease:MambetalinwasreleasedafterissuinganapologyonFacebookon29January2016.Detailsoftrial:Mambetalinwastriedunderarticle174oftheCriminalCode,‘Incitementofsocial,inter-ethnic,racistorreligioushatred’,andsentencedon22January2016toatwo-yearprisonterm.Otherinformation:HRWwrotethattheyconsiderKazakhstan’suseofincitementchargesoverbroadandthattheselawsareoftenusedtosilencejournalists.KYRGYZSTAN

ThefreedomofexpressionsituationinKyrgyzstanhasdeclinedsince2014.TheseincludedthecontinuedimprisonmentofthejournalistAzimjonAskarov,reportsoftheclosureofminoritylanguagenewspapersandtwolegislativedevelopmentsthatcurtailfreespeech.InApril2014,theKyrgyzparliamentpassedanamendmenttoArticle329oftheCriminalCodewhicheffectivelynegatedKyrgyzstan’sdecriminalisationofdefamationin2010;theKyrgyzparliamentalsobeganconsideringadraftlawthatwouldcriminalisetheso-called‘propaganda’of‘non-traditional’relationshipswhichpasseditssecondreadinginJune2015.PENbelievesthatthislawwouldlikelyleadtocensorshiprelatingtoLGBTQIissues,andthatsimilarcensorshipwouldbefeltinthefieldsofeducationandhealthcareprovision.AtPENInternational’sWorldCongressinBishkek,Kyrgyzstanin2014,aresolutiononKyrgyzstanwaspassedbytheAssemblyofDelegates.

Imprisoned:maincaseAzimjonASKAROV:Profession:journalistandheadofthehumanrightsgroupVozdukh,andmemberoftheUzbekminorityDateofbirth:1951Sentence:sentencedtolifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:15June2010Detailsofarrest:HewasarrestedinthevillageofBazar-Korgon,where,on12June2010,apoliceofficerwaskilledandseveralotherswoundedinviolent,inter-ethnicdisturbancesthattookplaceinKyrgyzstaninMayandJune2010.Askarov’slawyerclaimsthathisclientwasnotpresentattheriot.Placeofdetention:PrisonNo.47inBishkekDetailsoftrial:Hewasarrestedonchargesofincitingethnicviolence.Prosecutorssubsequentlyextendedthechargesandhewasconvictedon15September2010ofhostage-taking,incitingethnichatred,participationandorganisationofmassdisorder,possessionoftenroundsofammunitionandcomplicityinmurder.On20December2011,itwasreportedbythenewswebsiteFerganaNewsthatAskarov’ssentencehadbeenupheldonappealbyKyrgyzstan’sSupremeCourt.TheOktyabrskyDistrictCourtinBishkekruledtorenewthe

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investigationintoAskarovon30April2014.ThedecisioncameinresponsetoAskarov’sdefenceteam’sappealagainsttheProsecutorGeneralOffice’sFebruary2014verdictthattherewerenogroundstorenewtheinvestigation.However,thedecisiontorenewtheinvestigationwasoverturnedon12June2014whentheBishkekCityCourtrejectedthelowercourt’sruling.Askarov’slawyerappealedthisrulingtotheSupremeCourt,which,on3September2014,confirmedtheBishkekCityCourt’sdecision.Healthconcerns:Askarov’slawyerandwitnessessaythatAskarovwasbeatenrepeatedlywhilstincustody.AccordingtoanOctober2012reportbytheinternationalNGOPhysiciansforHumanRights(PHR),Askarov’smedicalconditionhadmarkedlydeterioratedduringhisimprisonment.Itsaidthathiseyesight,nervoussystemandbreathinghadweakened,butthathehadnotreceivedthenecessarymedicalcare.FollowinganexaminationinJanuary2012,PHRexpertsconcludedthatAskarovshowedclinicalevidenceoftraumaticbraininjuryconsistentwithhisallegationsoftorture.InNovember2012,hislawyersubmittedacomplainttotheUNHumanRightsCommittee.PENInternationalbelievesAskarovhasbeentargetedforrevengebyJalal-Abadlawenforcementbecauseofhisdocumentationofhumanrightsviolations,includingbylocalpolice,insouthernKyrgyzstan.Otherinformation:AftertheUSStateDepartmentawardedAskarovits2015HumanRightsDefenderaward,Kyrgyzstanendeda1993bilateralcooperationagreement.Update:InApril2016theUNHumanRightsCommitteecalledforKyrgyzstantoimmediatelyreleaseAskarov,andstatedthathehadbeen‘arbitrarilydetained,heldininhumaneconditions,torturedandmistreated,andpreventedfromadequatelypreparinghistrialdefense.’Thefindingswereadoptedon31March2016andpublishedon21April.PENAction:AskarovwasoneofPEN’sEmptyChairsatPENInternational’s2014WorldCongress,heldinBishkek.Askarov’swifeattendedandmadeapersonalpleatoPENmemberstocontinueworkingforherhusband’srelease;Askarov’sartworkwasplacedprominentlyondisplay.PENdelegationsalsometseparatelywiththePresidentofKyrgyzstanandtheGeneralProsecutor.Atbothmeetings,thedelegationsprotestedtheconvictionandimprisonmentofAzimjonAskarov,raisingourconcernsthathedidnotreceiveafairtrial.Hewasalsofeaturedinthe2015DayoftheImprisonedWritercampaign.Statement13July2016Awards:HominiAward(2011),CPJInternationalPressFreedomAward(2012),U.S.StateDepartment’sHumanRightsDefenderAward(2015)[Stoppress:On12July2016itwasreportedthattheSupremeCourtofKyrgyzstanhadoverturnedhislifesentenceandruledthatAskarov’scaseshouldberetriedandheardbytheChuiOblastcourtbutdidnotorderhisreleasependingtheretrial.]

Attacked

*TuratAKIMOV:Profession:EditorofweeklynewspaperDen'giivlast'Dateofattack:20February2016Detailsofattack:TuratAkimovwasattackedandhitintheheadandarmbyanunknownmanwieldingametalpipe,accordingtonewsreports.Akimovwasattackedoutsideofhisapartment,andtheassailantdisapearedafterAkimovfoughtback,localmediareport.Thereportersaidthatherequiredstichesandacastafterbeingstruckintheheadandthehand.AkimovclaimsthattheattackwasorderedbytheInteriorMinistry,whichisaclaimtheMinisterfortheInteriorstrenuouslydenies,denyingknowledgeofbothAkimovandhisnewspaper.LATVIA

Ontrial

LeonidsJAKOBSONS:Profession:InvestigativejournalistDateofarrest:15December2011Dateofrelease:17December2011Detailsofarrest:In2011anarticlewrittenandpublishedbyJakobsonsonhisinvestigativenewsportalkompromat.lv.Jakobsons’spiecereportedlyexposedthemayorofRiga’sallegedtieswithaRussiansecretserviceemployee.Thearticlecontainedemailcontentswrittenbythemayor

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toaRussiancontact.Oncethearticlewaspublished,Jakobsons’sinvestigativenewsportalwassubjecttoatwo-weeklonghackerattack.Subsequently,policesearchedhishomefromwhereheworks,aswellasthelocationofhisworkserver.Jakobsonswashandcuffedandputinisolatedpolicecustodyfortwodays.Hisworkcomputerwasseizedandremainswiththepolice.Detailsoftrial:JakobsonsisbeingprosecutedforrevealinginNovember2011emailsallegedlyexposingwrong-doingbyRiga’smayor.HeisthefirstLatvianjournalisttobechargedwithdisclosingpersonalinformationfromemails.HistrialisbeingpursuedbehindcloseddoorsattheRigaCentralDistrictCourtbyajudgewhosemediaandfreedomofinformationexpertisehasbeenquestionedbyhumanrightsdefenders.ThetrialisconsideredhighlyunusualforLatviaasonlytrialsinvolvingminors,peoplewhoareill,familymattersandclassifiedinformationarepermittedtobekeptfromthepublic.Thecasewasstillongoingon30June2015andremainsatthefact-findingstage.InApril2015,MediaLegalDefenceInitiativewhichissupportinghisdefencequotedhimassaying‘Thecourtprocedureisveryunpleasant.Itjustconsumesmuchtimeandenergy.Thereisjustthisconstantpressure.Iwritemuchlessarticles.’Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:InMarch2012,JakobsonswasattackedinthestairwellofhisapartmentbuildinginRigabytwoassailants.Hewasphysicallybeatenandsufferedburnstotheskinwhenhisattackersfiredpistolsclosetohim.TheUNHumanRightsCommittee,whichreviewsstates’compliancewiththeInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,expressedconcerninApril2014aboutthedelayinconcludingtheinvestigationintotheattack.

MACEDONIA

Detained–investigation*ZoranBOZINOVSKI:Profession:journalistforonlinenewsBurevesnik.orgDateofarrest:21April2016Detailsofarrest:AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProjectBozinovskiwasarrestedintheSerbiancityofNoviSad,andwasextraditedtoMacedoniaon21April2016.Detailsoftrial:Hehasbeenchargedwithforeignespionage.On27April2016hewasbroughtbeforetheBasicCourtinSkopje.Otherinformation:TheAssociationofJournalistsofMacedoniaexpressedconcernathisextraditionwhichtheyconsideredpoliticallymotivatedandlikelytoharmpressfreedom.Currentplaceofdetention:CountyJailinSkopjeSutoOrizariBackground:InOctober2014,aMacedoniancourtconvicted17peopleforpassingclassifieddocumetstoanunnamedforeignsecurityservice.BozinovskiwasarrestedinNovember2013inconnectionwiththatcase,andwasreleasedonbailafterspending11monthsinaNoviSadprison.BozinovskihaspublishedinvestigativereportsonMacedonia’sintelligenceagencyandisaknowncriticofthegovernment.

Attacked

*GoranNAUMOVSKI:Profession:journalistforonlinenewsPlusinfoDateofattack:13April2016Detailsofattack:TheEuropeanFederationofJournalistsreportsthatNaumovskiwasinjuredbypolicealongsidefourphotojournalists,duringprotestsoutsidethePresident’sofficeinSkopje.TheTradeUnionofMacedonianJournalistsandMediaWorkers(SSNM)inanarticlepublishedbytheInternationalfederationofJournalists(IFJ),criticisedtheactionsofthepolice,claimingthatallmediaworkers“werewearingprofessionalIDsandthatthecamerastheywerecarryingclearlyidentifiedthemasjournalistsonduty.”Nofurtheractionsorinvestigationsareknowntohavetakenplaceby30June2016.Harassed

*Lajm(dailynewspaper):

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Dateofharassment:3February2016Detailsofharassment:TheDemocraticUnionforIntegrationParty(DUI)arethreateningLajmwithlegalactionforalleged‘offensiveandlibellingreports’inanarticleaboutpartyleaderAliAhmeti,iftheydonotretractthearticleandissueapublicapology.AccordingtoMappingMediaFreedomProject,theAssociationofJournalistsofMacedonia(ZNM)condemnedthethreatsasa‘bluntpressureonmediafreedom.’NETHERLANDSDeaththreat*MartinKOK:Profession:CrimebloggerandfounderofVlinderscrime.nlDateofthreat:2July2016Detailsofthreat:KokfoundanexplosivedeviceunderhisparkedcarinAmsterdam.TheMappingMediaFreedomProjectreportsthatthepoliceconfirmedtheexplosivedeviceandsuccessfullydefusedit.Background:KokisaformercriminalwhonowblogsabouttheDutchcriminalworld.InNovember2013shotswerefiredathiscarandhouse,noonewasinjured.

Briefdetention*FlorenceHARTMANN(f):(Frenchnational)Profession:formerjournalistforLeMonde,authorofPaixetchâtiment,LesguerressecrètesdelapolitiqueetdelajusticeinternationalsSentence:7daysinprisonDateofarrest:24March2016Dateofrelease:29March2016Detailsofarrest:HartmanwasimprisonedbytheInternationalWarCrimeTribunalinTheHague,havingbeenarrestedbytheUnitedNationspoliceoutsideTheHaguecourt.ShewasarrestedforchargesofcontemptofcourtafterrevealingdocumentsabouttheSrebrenicagenocideinher2007bookPaixetchâtiment,Lesguerressecrètesdelapolitiqueetdelajusticeinternationals.In2009shewasconvictedandorderedtopaya€7000fine,whensherefusedshewassentencedtosevendaysinprison.Detailsofdetention:Hartmann’slawyerclaimsshewasbeingheldinsolitaryconfinement.Shewasreleasedon29Marchhavingservedtwo-thirdsofhersentence.PENaction:statement29March2016Awards:HartmannwasmadeanHonorificmemberofSarajevoPOLAND

On22June2016PolishPresidentAndrzejDudaratifiedanewanti-terrorismlaw.ThisnewlawgivesPoland'sintelligenceagencytherightto“ordertheblockingordemandthattheelectronicopensourceserviceadministratorblockaccesstoinformationdata.”Thisallowsthemtoblockonlinemediaforuptofivedayspriortoobtainingpermissionbyprosecutionauthoritiesandupto30dayswithpermission,withthefurtheroptiontorenewthebanforuptothreemonths.Thereisnowaythatthesourceadministratorcanappealtheagency’sdecision.NumerousorganisationsincludingtheCouncilofEuropehavecommentedontheworryinglimitstoonlinepressfreedominthenewlegislation.Killed-impunity

LukaszMASIAK:Profession:journalistfornewsportalNaszaMlawa.plAge:31Dateofdeath:onthenightof13to14June2015Detailsofkilling:MasiakwasbeatentodeathinthecitycentreofMlawa,atownlocatedinnorth-centralPoland.Detailsofinvestigation:ThePolishauthoritiesstatedtotheCouncilof

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Europeon9July2015thataninvestigationintothemurderhadbeenlaunched,butthatthesuspectwasstillatlargeandsubjecttoanInterpolwantednotice.However,thestatementsaidthat‘theevidencecollectedsofar,doesnotindicatethatthekillingofMr.Masiakwasrelatedtohisprofessionalactivities.’Theallegedperpetrator,althoughstillatlarge,isreportedlyfacingchargesofhomicide.Update:Itwasreportedthaton8February2016amannamedBartoszN.wasinterrogatedandchargedwithMasiak’smurderafterhandinghimselfintopolice.Background:thenewsportalNaszaMlawa.pl–operatedbyMasiakhimself–performedanimportantroleinmonitoringlocalauthoritiesinMlawa.Masiakhadreceivedregulardeaththreatsbecauseofhisjournalisticwork,andhadbeenbeatenuptwiceduringthelastyear.AfteroneattackanobituarywassenttoMasiak'shome.FollowingthatattackMasiaktoldthemedia,‘Itwascertainlynotanattackbytherobbers.Thepersonattackingmewasclearlywaitingforme.I'msureitwasaboutthereportswehavepublishedonournewsportal.’Masiakhadreportedeveryattackandthreathereceivedtothepolicebutthepoliceinvestigationhadbeenunproductive.

Judicialharassment

PawełGĄSIORSKI:Profession:editor-in-chiefoftheindependentnewswebsitegminablachownia.plDateofharassment:23May2016Detailsofharassment:DariuszWojcjechowski,SecretaryGeneralofBlachowniacitycouncil,fileddefamationchargesagainstGąsiorskiforanarticlepublishedon2March2016ongminablachownia.pl.Thearticle,entitledStrangeCoincidence,claimedthatWojcjechowskiofferedaninfrastructureprojecttoPierzchno,acompanyWojcjechowskihaspersonallinksto.Background:Gąsiorski,hasbeeninongoingconflictwithlocalauthorities.On6November2015,themayorofthesouthernPolishmunicipalityofBlachowniawaspressingchargesfordefamationagainstGąsiorskiunderArticle212ofthePolishcriminallaw,whichprovidesforafineoraprisonsentenceofuptotwoyearsfordamagetoreputationconductedviamassmedia.Gąsiorskiwasco-initiatorofareferendumthatsoughttoremovemayorSzymańskafromoffice.Thewebsitepositionsitselfascriticaltowardslocalauthoritiesandonthebottomofitsfrontpagehasasurveythatencouragesreaderstovoteontheirpositionontheinitiativetoremovethemayor.RUSSIA

ThefreeexpressionenvironmentintheRussianFederationhasworsenedconsiderablysince2014,withtheauthoritiestakingevermoreextrememeasurestoconsolidatetheircontrolovertheflowofinformation.Theincreasinglegislativechokeholdonfreeexpressionwasaccompaniedbyageneralgrowthinpressureplacedonjournalistsandotherwriterstostayinlinewithofficialopinion,andbytheblockingofwebsitescarryingoppositionviews.MuchofthiscrackdownhasbeenfuelledbyRussia’sroleintheconflictinneighbouringUkraine.On1February2014,anamendmenttotheLawonInformationempoweringtheprosecutorgeneral’sofficetoblockwebsitesandblogs‘containingcallsforunsanctionedactsofprotest’within24hoursandwithoutanycourtapproval.InApril2014,theRussianParliamentpassedanamendmenttoananti-terrorlawthatimposesstrictrulesonblogsandwebsitesattractingmorethan3,000visitorsperday.PENbelievesthatthislawislikelytoleadtogreaterself-censorshipamongstbloggers.On1July2014,anobscenitylawcameintoforcebanningtheuseofprofanityinbooks,theatre,filmandotherculturalevents.Thesenewfreespeech-stiflinglawsaddtoRussia’salreadyburgeoninglegislationlimitingfreedomofexpression,includingtheso-called‘religiousinsult’andanti-gay‘propaganda’laws,andcriminaldefamation.AtPENInternational’sWorldCongressinBishkek,Kyrgyzstanin2014,aresolutiononRussiawaspassedbytheAssemblyofDelegates.Aso-called‘foreignagents’lawof2012placedonerousrestrictionsonanynon-governmentalorganisationsreceivingfundsfromabroad).By1October12015,theRegistryofNCOsCarryingFunctionsofForeignAgentsincluded94NCOs(non-commercialorganization),withonlysevenofthemregisteredvoluntarily(includingthreeunderpressurefromconsiderable

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administrativepenalties).ByOctober2015,sixNCOshadbeenexcludedfromtheNCOregisteronthegroundstheywereperformingfunctionsofaforeignagent.A‘LawonUndesirableOrganizations’enteredintoforceon3June2015underwhichaforeignorinternationalNGOcanbedeclared‘undesirable’bytheProsecutorGeneralortheProsecutorGeneral’sdeputiesiftheydecidethattheNGOisathreattonationalsecurity.Activitiesofallsuch‘undesirable’organizationsinRussiaareprohibited,andallpersonsparticipatinginsuchactivitiesaresubjecttoadministrativeandcriminalpenalties.

Killed:impunity

AkhmednabiAKHMEDNABIEV:Profession:deputychiefeditorofaleadingindependentweeklyinDagestan,NovoeDelo(NewAction),andregularcontributortotheCaucasianKnotonlineDateofdeath:9July2013Detailsofdeath:AkhmednabievwasknownforreportingoncorruptionandhumanrightsabusesinDagestan.HewasshottodeathoutsidehishomeinthevillageofSemenderneartheDagestanicapital,Makhachkala.Akhmednabievhadjuststartedtheengineofhiscarwhentheunidentifiedassailantsopenedfire.Hediedinstantly.Detailsofinvestigation:Acriminalinvestigationwaslaunched.TheRussianauthoritieshavestatedthattheybelievethejournalist’smurderisrelatedtohisreporting.On5September2013,AbdurashidSheikhov,Akhmednabiev'slegalrepresentative,askedfortheinvestigationtobetransferredtotheChiefInvestigatingDepartment(CID)oftheNorth-CaucasianFederalDistrict(NCFD).No-onehadbeenarrestedandnosuspectshadbeennamedbytheendof2015.InOctober2015,alawyeractingforthefamilywroteanopenlettertothefederalInvestigativeCommitteeheadAleksandrBastrykin,accusingtheDagestaniauthoritiesoffailingtocontinueitssearchforAkhmednabiev’skillers.Update:On29June2016itwasreportedthattheSupremeCourthaddismissedacomplaintabouttheinvestigation.Thesamereportindicatedthaton8June2016,acomplainthadbeenlodgedintheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights(ECtHR),statingthattheinvestigationwasconductedinefficiently,andthattheauthoritiescouldhavetakenmeasurestoprotectAkhmednabiev.Background:Thejournalistsurvivedapreviousattemptonhislifeon11January2013,whenunidentifiedassailantsshotathimthreetimesbutmissed.HehadreceiveddeaththreatsinMay2012andimmediatelyreportedthemtopolice.Reportedly,lawenforcementauthoritiesdidnoteffectivelyinvestigateeitherthethreatsorthesubsequentshooting.PENAction:InNovember2014,PENjoined30otherorganisationsinanactioncallingfortheinvestigationintothemurderofthejournalisttobetransferredtotheCentralInvestigativeDepartmentoftheRussianFederation’sInvestigativeCommittee.

NataliaESTEMIROVA(f):Profession:journalistandhumanrightsdefenderDateofbirth:28February1958Detailsanddateofdeath:Estemirovawasabductedon15July2009assheleftherhomeforherofficeinGrozny,andwaslatermurdered.HerbodywasfoundinwoodlandinneighbouringIngushetia.Shehadbeenshotintheheadandchest.Detailsofinvestigation:ThethenRussianPresidentDmitryMedvedevcondemnedthemurderandorderedaninquiry.TheChechenPresidentRamzanKadyrovalsocalledforthoseresponsibletobebroughttojustice.MemorialhassincecloseditsGroznyoffice,fearingforthesafetyofitsstaff.InlateFebruary2010,theagencyinvestigatingEstemirova’sdeathconfirmedthatithadidentifiedthemurdersuspect,whowassaidtobeinhiding.Estemirova’ssupervisoratMemorialtoldnewagencyInterfaxthat,aftergainingaccesstosomeofthecase’sinvestigativematerials,itwasdiscoveredthatthesuspectedmurdererhadalreadybeenkilled.Russianinvestigatorsdeniedthis.On12July2010,theMoscownewspaper,NovayaGazeta,publishedanarticlecriticisingtheinvestigationforaseriesofflaws.Theseincludedafailuretointerviewkeywitnesses,afailuretothoroughlyanalyseDNAmaterialcollectedfromEstemirova’sbody,andafailuretoplaceat-riskwitnessesunderprotection.Thearticlealsocriticisedtheinvestigationforallegedlyfocusingonasinglesuspectwhowasalreadydead.InSeptember2010,Russianinvestigators,followingameetingwithadelegationfromtheCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ),pledgedtopursue19casesofmurderedjournalists,ofwhomEstemirovaisone.Theinvestigatorsprovidedthedelegationwiththefollowingupdate:authoritiessaid

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theyaretryingtolocateandarrestaChechenguerrillafighterwhotheyallegemurderedEstemirova.InvestigatorsmaintainedthatthesuspectisaliveandinRussia.TheytoldCPJthattheyhavequestionedKadyrovbutfoundnoevidenceofhisinvolvement.AnindependentinvestigationcarriedoutbyNovayaGazeta,theRussianhumanrightsorganisationMemorial,andtheInternationalFederationforHumanRights,publishedon15July2011,reiteratedthattheofficialinvestigationintoEstemirova’sdeathhadbeenmistakeninfocusingitssuspicionexclusivelyontherebelChechenleaderAlkazurBashayev.ItreportedthatthatthetimeofhermurderEstemirovawasworkingonamoresensitivecaseinvestigatingthepossibleinvolvementofChechenpoliceofficersinthepublicexecutionoflocalresidentRizvanAlbekov.Estemirovawasthefirstpersontoreportonthekilling.Thereportclaimedthatinvestigatorsinexplicablystoppedpursuingthepossiblelinkbetweenthiscaseandthejournalist’smurderinearly2010.HumanRightsWatchclaimedthat‘therewereverystrongcircumstancesaroundEstemirova’smurderthatsuggestthattherecouldhavebeensomeofficialinvolvement.’Background:TheChairmanoftheMemorialCentre,OlegOrlov,isontrialonchargeofslanderagainsttheChechenpresident.HereportedlysuggestedthattheChechenpresidentwasresponsibleforEstemirova’sdeath.Ifconvicted,Orlovcouldfaceuptothreeyearsinprison.On5September2013,AbdurashidSheikhov,Akhmednabiev'slegalrepresentative,askedfortheinvestigationtobetransferredtotheChiefInvestigatingDepartment(CID)oftheNorth-CaucasianFederalDistrict(NCFD).Asof30June2016,no-onehadbeenarrestedandnosuspectshadbeennamed.Otherinformation:Estemirova,ofRussian-Chechendescent,workedattheGroznyofficeofMemorial,Russia’sbestknownnon-governmentalorganisation.Sheinvestigatedtorture,killingsandotherabusesinChechnya,andwasthefirstrecipientoftheannualAnnaPolitkovskayaAwardgivenbytheReachAllWomeninWarcampaigninggroup.EstemirovawasalsoawardedforhercouragebytheSwedishandEuropeanparliaments.SheworkedwithPolitkovskayafrom2001until2006,exposingabusescarriedoutbyRussianarmedforcesinChechnyaandbyMoscow-backedChechenofficials.PENAction:RAN28/09–16July2009;Update#1–23July2009,DayoftheImprisonedWriterCase2009

KhadzhimuradKAMALOV:Profession:journalistandfounderoftheindependentDagestan-basedweeklynewspaperChernovikDateofbirth:11February1965Dateanddetailsofdeath:Shotdeadbyamaskedassailantshortlybeforemidnighton15December2011.Kamalovwasreportedlyshotupto14timesbytheunidentifiedpersonashewasleavingtheofficesofChernovikinMakhachkala,thecapitalofthesouthernrepublicofDagestan.Thegunmanreportedlyfledthesceneinacar.Detailsofinvestigation:TheInvestigativeCommitteeoftheRussianProsecutor-General’sOfficedecidedtotakeoverthereportedlystalledinvestigationintothedeathofKhadzhimuradKamalovon28May2012.InvestigativeCommitteespokesmanVladimirMarkintoldjournaliststhatthedecisionwasmadeinresponsetoarequestbyabout100deputiesintheRussianparliament’slowerchamber,theStateDuma,thatfederalinvestigatorstakechargeoftheprobe.Itwasreportedon13September2013thatamainsuspectinthecasewas,accordingtohislawyer,beingpressuredtoimplicateDagestanipoliticiansinKamalov’skilling.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:ThereisalonghistoryofharassmentofthestaffatChernovik,withfiveofitsjournalistsbeingarrestedonreportedlytrumped-upchargesof‘extremism’between2008and2011.ThenewspaperhasfrequentlyaddressedhighlysensitivetopicsinthesouthernrepublicofDagestan,inparticularreportsofpoliceabusesinneighbouringChechnya.

TimurKUASHEV:Profession:freelancejournalist,correspondentforDosh,aprominentindependentmagazinefocusedontheNorthCaucasus,andalsofortheCaucasianKnotandCaucasusPolitics.Dateofdeath:1August2014Detailsofdeath:wasfounddeadintheoutskirtsofNalchik,thecapitalofKabardino-Balkaria,on1August2014.Lateintheeveningof31July,Kuashev'smotherreturnedtotheapartmenttheysharedtodiscoverthathersonwasgone,thoughhiswallet,ID,andcellphonewereleftbehind.SheassumedthatKuashevhadgoneout,butcontactedotherrelativesandthepolicewhenhehadnotshownupseveralhourslater.Thenextmorning,policecalledKuashev's

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parentsandsaidEmergenciesMinistrypersonnelhadfoundthebodyofayoungmaninawoodedarea,askingthemtocomeinforidentification.Theparentsidentifiedtheirson.Detailsofinvestigation:ArepresentativeoflocalinvestigationauthoritiesmadeapublicstatementthatKuashev'sbodyborenotracesofviolenceandthattheauthoritieshadnogroundstosuspectthathisdeathwastheresultofacrime.However,RustamMatsev,alocalhumanrightslawyerwhohadworkedcloselywithKuashev,allegedlytoldtoldHumanRightsWatchthattheforensicdoctorwhoperformedKuashev'sautopsynotedatraceofaneedleprick,likelyaninjection,underKuashev'sarm.MatsevtoldHumanRightsWatchthatforensicexpertstooksamplesofKuashev'sbloodandbodilyfluidstotestfortoxinsandotherabnormalities.InSeptember2014itwasreportedinthepressthattherepublicandivisionoftheInvestigativeCommitteehadopenedamurderinvestigationontheassumptionthatKuashevwaskilledbecauseofhisprofessionalactivities.LocalactivistscontinuetomountdemonstrationscallingforathoroughinvestigationintoKuashev’sdeath.On25December2015itwasalsoannouncedthathiscauseofdeathwasacutecoronarydeficiency.Update:On8June2016,itwasannouncedbythelawyeradvocatingforKuashev’sfamilythatafteranautopsynotracesoftoxicsubstanceswerefound,despitetheearlierallegationsthataneedleprickhadbeenfoundonhimandthatasaresultthecriminalinvestigationintohisdeathhadbeenclosed.TheKuashevfamilylawyerthenalsoannouncedthathewouldappealthedecisionoftheinvestigator,afterhumanrightsactivistshadcriticisedtheofficialnon-violentversionofhisdeath.Background:Kuashev’sarticlesdealtmostlywiththepersecutionofreligiousMuslims,includingallegationsofpoliceabuseandfairtrialviolations.Hewascovering,amongotherthings,thetrialofover50peoplechargedwithterrorismoffensesinconnectionwithanarmeduprisinginNalchikin2005.Kuashevoftenreceivedthreatsonline,mostlythroughsocialmediafrompeoplewritingunderaliases.Kuashevalsoreportedlyreceivedcallsduring2014frompoliceandsecurityofficials,‘inviting’himfor‘conversations’,warninghimto‘becareful’andsuggestingthathisactivismandhispublicationscouldgethimintrouble.InJune2014,securityofficialsreportedlycontactedKuashev'sfatherandtoldhimto‘reininhissonbeforesomethingbadhappenstohim.’TheyreportedlywantedKuashev'sfathertotrytoconvincehissontostayawayfrompublicactivismandjournalism.KuashevwasalsoaprominentrightsactivistandworkedcloselywithlocalrepresentativesofMemorialHumanRightsCenter,particularlyoncasesofpoliceabuse.Kuashevwasveryactiveonsocialmedia,includingLiveJournalandVKontakte.HealsoplannedtorunforKabardino-Balkaria'slegislativeassemblyintheSeptember2014electionasacandidatefortheoppositionYablokoparty.

AnnaPOLITKOVSKAYA(f):Profession:journalistandauthorDateofbirth:30August1958Dateofdeath:7October2006Detailsofdeath:Shotdeadintheelevatorofherapartmenton7October2006.ShecoveredthewarinChechnyaandhadbeenreceivingthreatssince1999aftershewrotearticlesclaimingthattheRussianarmedforceshadcommittedhumanrightsabusesinChechnya.Despitethesethreatsshecontinuedtowriteandin2003publishedADirtyWar:ARussianReporterinChechnya.Shewasalsoaco-contributortoASmallCornerofHell:DispatchesfromChechnya,publishedin2003.Herlastbook,publishedin2006,wasPutin’sWar:LifeinAFailingDemocracy.In2002PolitkovskayawasoneofthefewoutsidersallowedintoaMoscowtheatreinanattempttonegotiatewithChechenrebelsthereleaseofhundredsofhostagesheldthere.In2004,shefellseriouslyillassheattemptedtoflytoBeslantocoverthehostagecrisisthere,leadingtospeculationthatshehadbeendeliberatelypoisonedtostopherfromreportingonthecrisis.Detailsofinvestigation:On27August2007,theProsecutorGeneralannouncedthattensuspectshadbeenarrestedinconnectionwiththemurderincludingChechencriminals,andformerandservingmembersoftheRussianFederalSecurityServicesandpoliceforces.On18June2008,theInvestigativeCommitteeannouncedthatithadchargedthreemen,aformerpoliceofficerandtwoethnicChechenbrothers.Trialofperpetrators:On17November2008,thetrialofPolitkovskaya’sallegedmurderersbegan,atfirstopentothepublic,butthenbehindcloseddoors.On19February2009,themenaccusedofassistingPolitkovskaya’smurderwereacquittedbyatwelve-

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memberjuryforlackofevidence.Afterprosecutorsappealedthenot-guiltyverdict,theSupremeCourtoverturnedthisdecisionandorderedaretrial.On24August2011,RussianauthoritiesarrestedLt.Col.DmitryPavlyuchenkovinconnectionwiththecaseandnamedconvictedcriminalLom-AliGaitukayevastheorganiserofthemurder.InDecember2012,Pavlyuchenkovwasfoundguiltyandsentencedto11yearsinahighsecuritypenalcolony.Fiveothersuspects,includingthreeChechenbrothers-twoofwhomwereacquittedbyajurybackin2009–weresubsequentlytriedinseparateproceedings.ThethreeMakhmudovbrothers,Rustam,Ibragim,andDzhabrailMakhmudov,thecriminalLom-AliGaitukayevandSergeiKhadzhikurbanov,aformerpoliceofficerwereallconvictedofPolitkovskaya’smurderon20May2014.On9June2014,Lom-AliGaitukayevandRustamMakhmudovwerehandedlifesentences;SergeiKhadzhikurbanov,DzhabrailandIbragimMakhmudovwerehandedsentencesof20,14and12yearsinprisonrespectively.However,themastermindwhoorderedherkillinghasneverbeenbroughttojustice;AnnaPolitkovskaya’sfamilyhavesaidthattheywillcontinuetocampaignforjustice.Otherinformation:Politkovskayawasthewinnerofnumerousinternationalawardsforhercourage,includingthe2004OlafPalmeAwardthatwassetupbythefamilyofthemurderedSwedishprimeminister.TheprizewasgiventoPolitkovskayatohonourherworkforthe‘longbattleforhumanrightsinRussia’.Honorarymember:PENCanadaPENactions:RAN8/11,2March2011;PEN50thanniversarycampaign(casefor2006);statement7October2011;RAN78/1221December2012;PENWorldCupCampaign2014;statement22May2014;statement7October2015)

Killed:MotiveUnknown

*DmitryTSILIKIN:Profession:artsandculturejournalistandcritic,authorDateofbirth:c.1961Dateofdeath:27March2016Detailsofdeath:Awell-knownRussianjournalistandmusicandculturecritic,DmitryTsilikin,wasfounddeadinhisSt.Petersburgapartmentonthe31March2016,althoughitwassuspectedthathewaskilledseveraldaysbefore,itwasreported.ItwasreportedthatfriendsandfamilyhadbeenunabletogetintocontactwithhimafterhehadreturnedfromatriptotheLatviancapitalofRiga.Detailsofinvestigation:St.Petersburgpolicestatedthathediedaftersufferingmultiplestabwoundsandseveredtendons,andthathislaptopandmobilephonehadbeenstolen.Investigatorsestablishedthathehadbeenkilledataround5pmon27March2016.Amurderinvestigationwasopenedthefollowingday,althoughpolicealsosuggestedthatatthispointtheycouldnotruleouta‘murdercommittedondomesticgrounds.’Thepolicealsostatedthattheyhadnosuspects.Itwasthenreportedonthe7April2016thatauniversitystudenthadbeenarrestedinconnectionwithhismurder,andhadadmittedkillingTsilikin.Investigatorsinformedthemediathatthestudenthadfarrightviewsandviewedthekillingaspartofacrusadeagainst‘acertaingroupofpeople’(believedtobeaeuphemismforLGBTQIindividuals),localmediareported.Background:DmitryTsilikinhadtrainedasanactorbeforeturningtojournalism.Hiswritingshadfocusedonartandculture,buthehadalsocontributedtoindependentmediaoutlets,wherehehadwrittenaboutmainlysocialissuesandcivilrights,RFEFLhadsaid.HehadwrittenforprominentRussianandinternationalmagazines,suchasVedomosti,Kommersant,VogueandElle,andhehadalsoworkedontelevision,havingbeenahostoftwoprogrammesonRussianchannelRTRbetween2001and2003.Awards:HewasposthumouslyawardedboththeNorth-WestRussian‘GoldenFeather2015’prizeforjournalism,andthe‘CulturalSpace’prize.

Imprisoned-MainCase

SergeiREZNIKProfession:bloggeratLiveJournal.Healsocontributedreportingtoregionalnewsoutlets,includingthewebsiteYuzhnyiFederalnyiandNovayaGazetaSentence:twoyears,11monthsinprisonanda

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22-monthbanonpractisingjournalismDateofrelease:reportedtobedueforreleaseinOctober2016Dateofarrest:26November2013afteranearlierconvictionCurrentplaceofdetention:heldinthecityofRostov-on-Don,reportedlyinsolitaryconfinementDetailsoftrial:On24July2014,whileimprisonedunderaseparatecase,anewinsultcasewasopenedagainsthim,underArticle319ofthePenalCode.RomanKlimov,formerregionaldeputyprosecutor;DmitryIshtshenko,headoftheGeneralDirectorateforCombatingExtremism;andAndreiGlinkin,aRostovpoliceofficer,accusethejournalistofhavinglibelledtheminarticlesonhisblog.Thepoliceofficerisalsosuinghimforallegedperjuryconcerningaseriouscrime,underArticle206-2ofthePenalCode.Thetrialbeganon20August2014andwasheldpartlybehindcloseddoors.Adefencerequesttoreplacethejudgeandtheprosecutor(whoheldthesamepositionsinReznik'sfirsttrial)wasrejected.Thedefencereportedlycontendsthatthejudgehasfalsifiedanumberofofficialdocuments.On22January2015Reznikwasconvictedofinsultandmisleadingauthorities,andwassentencedbytheLeninskyDistrictCourtinRostov-on-Dontothreeyearsinaprisoncolony.Hewasalsobannedfrompractisingjournalismfortwoyears.Reznik'slawyerssaidtheywouldappeal.InMay2015,theRostovRegionalCourtreducedhisprisonsentencebyonemonth,andthebanonpractisingjournalismbytwomonths.Background:ArticleswrittenbyReznikwereoftencriticaloftheregionalandmunicipalauthoritiesandallegedwidespreadcorruptionandabuses.Accordingtotheregionalpress,inFebruary2012Reznikreportedreceivingthreatsbyphonefromanonymouspeoplewhodemandedthathestoppublishinghisarticles.On22October2012,Reznikwasattackedbytwounidentifiedmenoutsidehisapartmentbuilding,beatenwithbaseballbats,andthenshotatwithapistol,accordingtonewsreports.Althoughnothitbygunfire,hesufferedheadandneckinjuriesfromthebeatingandfellunconscious.Hewasarrestedin2013andconvictedofinsultingapublicofficial,bribery,anddeliberatelymisleadingauthorities(seeearliercaselistsfordetails).Otherinformation:RussianNGOMemorialhasrecognisedTyumentsevasapoliticalprisoner.InMarch2016,theKremlin’sRightsOmbudsmannotedseveralproceduralviolationsduringthecase,andstatedthatsuchbansonpractisingjournalismrepresenta‘threattothefreedomofthepressinRussia’.Accordingtothesamereport,on2May2016theU.SStateDepartmenturgedRussiatoimmediatelyreleaseReznik.PEN’sposition:AsofJune2015,Reznikhasbeenimprisonedforcriminaldefamation.PENInternationalopposesthecriminalisationofdefamationandcallsforthereleaseofallwritersheldundersuchcharges.Internationalhumanrightsmechanismshaverepeatedlyclarifiedthatcriminaldefamationlawsviolatetherighttofreedomofexpressionandshouldbeabolished,leavinginsultanddefamationclaimstobedealtwithbycivilcourts.VadimTYUMENTSEV:Profession:bloggerSentence:fiveyearsinprisonandathree-yearbanonusingtheinternetDateofthearrest:28April2015Detailsofarrest:Tyumenstevwasarrestedon28April2015forhis‘extremistactivitiesintheInternet’afterhewroteseveralcriticalpostsurgingpeopletoattendprotestsandcriticisingtheRussianinterventioninUkraine’scivilwar.Detailsoftrial:On30December2015TyumenstevwassentencedtofiveyearsinjailandhewasbannedfromusingtheInternetforthreeyears.Thecourtsaidhehadurgedpeopletooverthrowtheauthoritiesinhisposts.TyumentsevappealedhissentenceinApril2016,arguingthathewrotehisconfessionunderpressurefromtheFSB.Itwasreportedonthe4May2016thatthecourtupheldhissentence.Background:Accordingtoreports,TyumenstevhadirritatedlocalpoliticiansinTomsk,wherehelives,afteraseriesofpostsontheInternetwhereheaccusedthemofincompetenceandcorruption.HeurgedpeopletoattendanunsanctioneddemonstrationtoprotestagainsthightransportfaresandhealsocriticisedtheRussianinterventioninUkraine.Otherinformation:

Imprisoned–InvestigationAleksandrTOLMACHEV:

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Profession:editorofthemagazineUpolnomochenZayavitandthenewspaperProRostovDateofbirth:c.1956Sentence:nineyearshardlabourDateofarrest:20December2011Detailsofarrest:orderedtobeplacedinpre-trialdetentionbyacourtinthesoutherncityofRostov-on-Donon20December2011.Currentplaceofdetention:SIZO(pre-trialprison)No.2ofthecityofArmavirDetailsofTrial:Tolmachevhadjustbeenacquittedinalibelcasewhenhewasarrestedon20December2011underarticles91and159ofthefederalpenalcodeforallegedlyextorting1millionroublesfromabusinessmaninnearbyNovocherkasskbythreateningtopublishcompromisinginformationabouthim.Arguingthathisjournalisticactivitiescouldinfluencethecourseofthecase,judgesorderedhimplacednotonlyinpre-trialdetentionbutalsosolitaryconfinement.Hespentalmostthreeyearsindetention,withhearingsofhiscaserepeatedlybeingpostponed,untilhisconvictionon29October2014.Thereareconcernsaboutthefairnessofthetrial:accordingtoreports,ofthe50witnesseslistedintheindictment,onlyseventestifiedincourt;itisalsoreportedthattwoyoungwomenallegedthattheyhadbeenforcedtosignpre-writtenaffidavitsagainstTolmachev.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoCaucasianKnotwebsite,on2December2014,hewasbeaten,handcuffedandkickedbyprisonstaffwhoalsorefusedtocallanambulanceandnotifythesupervisingprosecutor.Hesubmittedacomplainton8December2014totheprisonauthorities.Healthconcerns:Hishealthhasreportedlydeteriorateddramaticallyinprison.Tolmachevreportedlysuffersfromhighbloodpressure.Awards:2013ArtyomBorovikprizeforinvestigativejournalisminrecognitionofhisarticlesaboutjudicialcorruptionintheRostovregion

Detained-investigation*AlekseiKUNGUROV:Profession:bloggerDateofarrest:3March2016Detailsofarrest:AlekseiKungurovwasarrestedandchargedwith‘callingforthecommissionofterroristacts’,itwasreported.Hisflatwasreportedlysearchedwithneitherhiswifenorhischildrenbeingallowedtobepresentwhilethesearchwasconducted,andwhenhiswifeaskedFSBagentsforreasonsforhisdetention,theyrepliedthat‘onecannotwriteeverything.’Hiscomputerandmemorycardswereconfiscated,accordingtolocalmediareports.Kungurovwasallegedlyheldinhandcuffsforsevenhoursforinterrogationbeforebeingreleased.Detailsoftrial:On11March2016,hewaschargedunderArticle205.2,Section1oftheRussianCriminalCode.On15June2016hewasarrestedagain,andremandedincustodythefollowingday.Kungorovallegedthathewastoldbyrepresentativesoftheinvestigationthatifhedidnotcooperatepressureonhimwouldbeincreased.On16June2016itwasreportedthatKungurovwouldstandtrialon19August2016.Otherinformation:Kungurovisawell-knownoppositionblogger,with20,000subscribers,whichaccordingtoRussianlawputshimwelloverthe3,000subscriberthresholdtobeconsideredmassmedia;hisblogtrafficisevenhigher,averaging7millionuniquevisitorsayear.Hewasalsoreportedtobepartofcontroversialgroup‘theJanuary25thcommittee’,whoseaimisto‘pursueapolicyofreunificationofRussianpeopleinasinglestate’,andincludesDonetskirregularcommanderIgorStrelkovandtheformerlyanti-PutinEduardLimonov.However,thebloggerhimselfrefutedthisassertion.[Update:On14July2016itwasreportedthattheRussianNGOMemorialhadaccordedKungurovthestatusofpoliticalprisoner]OntrialNikolaiALEXYEV:Profession:journalist,lawyerandLGBTQIrightsactivistDetailsoftrial:NikolaiAlexyevisfacingacriminallibelcase.Accordingtoreports,inAugust2013,twomembersoftheRussianDuma-YelenaMizulinaandOlgaBatalina–askedforcriminallibelproceedingstobebroughtagainstAlexyev

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followingremarksmadeonhisownTwitteraccountcriticisingMizulinaandBatalinafortheirsupportofabanondisseminating‘propagandaofnon-traditionalsexualrelations’tominors.Alexyevreportedlyfacesasubstantialfineonthegroundsofinsultingarepresentativeofauthority.Hehasreportedlybeenharassedbypolicesincethepoliticians’request.On29May2015,hesaidonTwitterthathehadbeenofficiallychargedinthecase.ItwasreportedthatinSeptember2015AlexeyevhadrequestedSwisscitizenshipashispartnerisSwissandtheyregisteredapartnershipinSwitzerlandin2008.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:InMay2012,Alexyevwasthefirstpersontobeconvictedofdisseminating‘gaypropaganda’tominorsinRussia.Hewasconvictedunderanew‘anti-gaypropaganda’lawthatprohibitsthe‘propagandaofhomosexualityamongminors’thatwasfirstintroducedinStPetersburg.Hewasfined5000roubles.InJune2015,hewassentencedtotendaysinprisonfollowinghisarrestatagaypriderallyinMoscow.

*ViktorKRASNOV:Profession:socialmediauserDetailsoftrial:ViktorKrasnovwasreportedlyarrestedafteranexchangeontheinternetinwhichhedescribedtheBibleunfavourablyandstatedthattherewasnoGod,oneofthepeopleinvolvedinthedisputelodgedacomplaintagainsthim.KrasnovisreportedlybeingchargedunderArticle148oftheRussianCriminalCode,for‘publicactionsthatexpressclearlackofrespectforsocietyandarecarriedoutwiththeaimofinsultingthereligiousfeelingofbelievers.’Krasnovwasreportedlyforcedtospendamonthinapsychiatricfacilityinordertobeassessedastowhetherhewasmentallycompetenttostandtrial.Thetwoplaintiffshadtobebroughttocourtbybailiffsafterfailingtoturnuptoprevioushearings;additionally,whattheyhadwrittenonthediscussionthreadhadbeendeleted,andthedefencehadaskedvKontakte(thesiteonwhichtheargumenthadhappened)toprovidefulltranscripts.Otherinformation:Krasnovhasreportedthatsincethecriminalcasehadlaunchedhebegantoreceivedeaththreatsfrom‘OrthodoxChristianfundamentalists,’andthathehasappealedtothepolice.NataliaSHARINA(f)(Ukrainiannational):Profession:directoroftheMoscowLibraryofUkraininanLiteratureAge:58Dateofarrest:28October2015Detailsofarrest:On28October2015lawenforcementofficialstookNataliaSharinaintocustodyandsearchedherapartment,raidedthelibraryandseizedbooksanddocuments.Authoritiesapparentlyallegedthatsomeofthelibrary’smaterialsaremeantto‘incitehatred’towardtheRussianpeople,basedonacomplaintbyaformeremployeeofthelibrarywhowasdismissedin2010.Intheirsearch,officialsfoundsomebookstheyclaimedwerebannedinRussiaas‘extremist’.Sharinareportedlydeniesthatthebookswerefromlibrary,andthattheywerenotpartofthelibrarycollection.Followingthelibrarysearch,theauthoritiestookSharinatotheTaganskydistrictinvestigationagencyandquestionedherthereuntilmidnight.Agovernment-appointedlawyerthenarrived,andtheinvestigatortoldSharinathatshewasbeingdetainedonsuspicionofabuseofofficetoincitehatredbetweenRussiansandUkrainians.Sharinabecameilluponhearingthisnews.Emergencymedicsarrivedatabout1:15a.m.anddiagnosedSharinaashavingahypertoniccollapse,withdangerouslyhighbloodpressure.Theygaveherbloodpressuremedicationsandtoldtheinvestigatorthatsheshouldbehospitalizedforthenext24hours,althoughshewasheldforovertwodays.On30October2015,Sharinawasputunderhousearrestpendingtrial.On27January2016,aMoscowcourtextendedSharina’sdetentionforafurtherthreemonths.Detailsoftrial:On5April2016,shewasreportedlychargedwithembezzlementunderSection4,Article160oftheRussianCriminalCodeforusinglibraryfundstopayforherdefence,achargewhichshedenies.Thisadditionofanewchargemeansthatherdetentioncanbeextendedforayear,accordingtoAmnestyInternational.Conditionsofdetention:SharinawasdeniedtherighttogoforshortwalkswhilstunderhousearrestHealthconcerns:Sharinesuffersfromhighbloodpressureandneedsbothexerciseandregularmedicalexaminations.Otherinformation:TheUkrainiangovernmentsentanofficialprotesttotheRussianauthoritiesinconnectionwiththesearchinMoscow'sLibraryofUkrainianLiterature,describingtheactionsofRussianlaw

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enforcementas’ruthlessandunmotivated.’TheRussianMemorialHumanRightsCentrerecognisedSharinaasapoliticalprisonerinNovember2015;AmnestyInternationalhasadoptedherasaprisonerofconscience.

Briefdetention*HusseinBETELGERIEV:Profession:poet,singer,writer,composer,universityteacherDateofabduction:31March2016Detailsofabduction:Itwasreportedon3April2016thatHusseinBetelgeriev’sfamilyannouncedthattheyhadnotseenhimsince31March2016,whenhewasabductedfromthefamilyhomeinGroznybytwounidentifiedmendressedinblackuniforms.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,theyorderedBetelgerievwiththembutrefusedtotellhiswifewheretheyweregoing;whenshetriedtocallhim15minuteslater,shecouldnotgetintocontectwithhim.Katerinareportedlyannouncedthatshehadreportedherhusbandasmissingonthe2April,buttwodayslatersaidthatpolicehadnotbegunanysearchintothemissingpoet;Theprosecutor’sofficehadtodemandfromthelawenforcementagenciesoftheareathattheyintensifytheirworkintothedisappearanceofBetelgeriv.Dateofrelease:11April2016Detailsofrelease:ItwasreportedthatBetelgerievhadreturnedhomeon11April2016,althoughhehadbeenseverelybeatenandtortured.HumanRightsWatchreportedthatBetelgerievwascapturedbyChechenlawenforcementofficialsfornotpraisingtheleaderoftherepublic,aswellasforwritingfreelyonsocialnetworks.ThisattitudealsoseemstohavebeenbehindhisdismissalfromhispostasateacherofFrenchattheUniversityofGrozny.WhileBetelgerievwasstillmissing,localmediareportedthatBetelgerievusedlyricswrittenbythePresidentoftheunrecognizedstateofIchkeria;itwasalsoreportedthatonhissocialnetworkpageshehadwrittenaboutthePresidentofIchkeriaonthedayofhiskidnapping,andthathehadpreviouslypostedanimageoftheflagofIchkeria.Otherinformation:Thecasehadbecomeoneofpublicinterest,sincehismusicalworksarepopularintheChechenRepublic.BetelgerievwasalsoamemberoftheJournalistsUnionofRussia.Hiswifeemphasizedthatshedidnotknowwhocouldhavebeenbehindtheabductionsincehedidnothaveanyenemiesorconflicts.*RizvanIBRAGIMOV,Profession:writer*AbubakerDIDIEVProfession:writerDateofarrest:1April2016Detailsofarrest:Thetwowriterswerereportedlyarrestedon1April2016bysecurityforcesintheRepublicofChechnyaandkeptatapolicestationforfourdaysbeforeresurfacingatthePresident’sresidenceatameetingwithscientistsandreligiousscholars.Inapostonhiswebsite,Ibragimovstatedthathehadbeenneitherkidnappednormistreated,andthathehadbeenkeptatthepolicestationbecausetherewasafearthathewouldrunaway.Healsoaddedthat‘coercivemeasureswerenotused.’Detailsofharassment:PresidentKadyrovpostedonhisInstagrampagethatthetwowriterswereguestsathiscompoundinordertoreceivecriticismfromscientistsandreligiousscholars,overclaimsthattheyhadallegedlypublishedthousandsofcopiesofabookwhich,accordingtoPresidentKadyrov,‘[sought]tobad-mouthreligionandcauseinter-ethnicstrife’.ItwasreportedthatKadyrovstatedthatinthecourseof‘publicdiscussions’bothauthorsrecognisedthattheirliteraturehadno‘scientificbase’.Avideopostedshowsthetwomenstandingandapologisingtothereligiousandscientificleadersfortheir‘mistakes’.Itwasreportedthatafterthemeetingthemen’sbookswerebeinginvestigatedbytheChechenMinistryofInternalAffairs,overclaimsthattheycontainedpassagesthatpromotedextremismandincitedreligiousandethnichatred.Otherinformation:Onhispersonalwebsite,RizvanIbragimovpostedanapologytoreadersthathehadbeenmistakeninhispastbeliefsinreligionandhistory,hadbeensetstraightafterameetingwithPresidentKadyrov,hadnotbeenmistreatedduringhisdetention,andaskedrequestedthathewasnotsentquestionsontopicshehadpreviouslywrittenabout.IbragimovistheauthorofanalternativehistoryoftheChechenethnicity.

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Background:ThedisappearanceofthetwowriterscameadayafterthedisappearanceofnotedChechenpoetandsingerHusseinBetelgeriev,whowasabductedbeforebeingreturnedhome,beaten(seebelow).Inaddition,IbragimovhaspreviouslybeencriticisedbytheofficialmediainChechnya.In2014,hewasalsocriticisedforhisalternativehistoryoftheChechenpeople,includingbytheSpeakerofParliament.Attacked

*AlexandrinaELAGINA(f),Profession:journalistforTheNewTimes*AntonPRUSAKOV,Profession:journalistforKommersant*EgorSKOVORODA,Profession:independentjournalistforMediaZona*MikhailSOLUNIN,Profession:blogger*OysteinWINDSTAD(Norwegiannational),Profession:reporterforNyTidDateofattack:9March2016Detailsofattack:Thefivejournalists,alongwitharadiojournalist,twohumanrightsworkersandtheirbusdriver,wereheldupat19:15,200mpasttheIngushetianborderandattacked,itwasreported.Atleast15maskedmenstoppedthevan,smashedthewindows,forcedeveryoneout,andbeatthemwithsticksandsharpobjectswhilstshouting‘GetoutofChechnya’andaccusedthemofbeingterroristswhowere‘killing[their]people’.Theassailantsstoletwomobilephones,€1000and$250,beforetheminivanwassetonfirewithitemssuchaspassportsandrecordingequipmentbeingleftonboard;theassailantsthenfled.ThegroupwastravellingfromBeslantoGroznywhentheywerestoppedandattacked.Oysteinwashospitalisedwithcutsandbrokenteeth,andElaginasufferedabrokenleg.ThejournalistsreportthattheyhadbeenfollowedbycarswithChechennumberplatessincethefirstdayoftheirtour.Background:WindstadwasinRussiatoinvestigatethedeathoftwoChechenswhodiedinChechnyaafterbeingdeniedrefugeestatusinNorwayin2008.ThegroupwerereturningfromareportingtriptoBeslanorganisedbytheCommitteeforthePreventionofTorture,anditwasreportedthatthegroupweremakinganunofficialtouroftheareawhentheywereattacked.TheCommitteeisanNGOwhoweredeclared‘foreignagents’byRussia’sMinistryofJustice,andsubsequentlyliquidatedthemselves.AnewNGO,receivingnoforeignfundswassetupinitsplace.Otherinformation:Onthesameday,theofficesoftheJointMobileGroup,amonitoringorganisationinIngushetiasetupbytheCommitteewasattacked;theCommitteeofficesinChechnyahavebeenattackedin2014and2015.IgorKalyapin,theheadoftheCommittee,wasattackedthefollowingweekinGrozny.TheHumanRightsOmbudsmanofChechnyasaidthathesuspectedtheattackofbeingorchestratedbyKalyapinandtheCommitteeasapublicitymove.ItwasreportedinMay2016thatsomeofthejournalistswereplanningtocomplaintotheInvestigatingCommitteeoftheRussianFederation(ICRF)ofwhattheyfeltwastheinvestigatorsinaction.ElaginreportedthatshehadbeentoldthattheincidentwasbeinginvestigatedunderArticle144oftheRussianCriminalCode,‘impedingthelegitimateprofessionalactivitiesofjournalists’.*EduardMOCHALOV:Profession:editor-in-chiefofdistrictnewspaperVzyatka(Bribe)Dateofattack:9April2016Detailsofattack:EduardMochalovwasattackedinthevillageofYarabaikasyinChuvashia,accordingtolocalreports.AccordingtoMochalov,theunknownassailantshitandkickedhim,withoneattemptingtosmotherhim;theassailantsalsosmashedsomeofthewindowsofthenewspapersoffices.ItwasreportedthatMochalovbelievesthatthegroupwasheadedbyadeputyoftheYarabaikasydistrict,andthattheassaultwasconnectedtohisworkBackground:Mochalovhasbeenintroublewiththelawpreviously;in2012hewasarrestedtwiceforthrowingeggsattheChuvashiaSupremeCourt,andinJuly2014acriminalcasewasfiledagainsthimafterVzyatkarepostedanarticleofprotectingTartarminorityrightsinChuvashia.Otherinformation:On15April2016,anunknownassailantthrewastonethroughthewindowofMochalov’seditorialassistant,NikolaiMakarov,whoalsolivesinChuvashia.

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*AlexeiNAVALNY:Profession:lawyer,politicalactivist,bloggerandrunner-upinthe2013MoscowmayoralelectionsDateofbirth:4June1976Dateofattack:17May2016Detailsofattack:AlexeiNavalnyandmembersofhisAnticorruptionFoundation(FBK)wereattackedbymendressedasCossacksatanairportinthecityofAnapaintheBlackSea.Navalnyandabout30membersoftheFBKwerewalkingtowardstheairportwhentheycameacrossagroupofmendressedinCossackuniformswhodousedthemwithmilkandverballyabusedthem.FBKmembersreportedlytriedtoformaringaroundNavalny,withafightbreakingoutafteranFBKmemberallegedlyelbowedoneoftheassailants.SeveraloftheFBKmemberswerethenpunchedandkicked.TheCossackregimentclaimthattheFBKgroupstartedthefight.Itwasreportedonthe15JunethattwoofthemenfromtheCossackregimentwerefoundguiltyof‘pettyhooliganism’(Article20.1oftheRussianCodeofAdministrativeOffences),withthecasesoftenothersandoneFBKmembersreferredtoamagistrate’scourt.Background:Navalnywaspreviouslyarrestedandsentencedtoathree-yearsuspendedsentence(seebelowunder‘ConditionalRelease’)*IgorRUDNIKOV:Profession:journalist,politicianDateofattack:7March2016Detailsofattack:IgorRudnikovwasattackedbytwounknownassailantsashewasleavingacaféafterlunch,itwasreported.Theassailantsreportedlywaitedoutsidethedoortothecafé,andstabbedhimthreetimesashewasleaving.Hewashospitalisedandplacedinintensivecare,althoughhisinjurieswerenotdescribedaslife-threatening,anditwasreportedthathedidnotrecognizehisattackers.Itwasalsoreportedthathehadbeenwatchedoverthepasttwodays.Theremaybealinkbetweenhisjournalisticactivitiesandtheattack,itwasreported.Background:Rudnikovwaspreviouslyattackedin1998,whenanunknownpersonstruckhimwithametalbaroutsidehisapartment,leavinghimwithseriousheadinjuriesneedinghospitalisation.ThisattackwasthoughttobelinkedtoanarticlehewasintendingtopublishontheKaliningradgovernor'sson,aswellasotherarticleshehadpublished.Hewasalsosubjecttolawsuitsin1996forcriticismoftheKaliningradleadership.In1998hisnewspaperwastwicesubjecttoarsonattacks.Hewasincludedinthe1998CaseList.OtherInformation:Rudnikovwasthefounderandeditorofalocalpapersince1996,andhasbeenamemberoftheKaliningradregionallocalparliamentsincehiselectionin2000.HehaspublishedanumberofarticlesoncrimeandcorruptioninKaliningradthroughhisnewspaper.*SergeyVINOKUROV:Profession:WriterforSobesednikmagazineDateofattack:25February2016Detailsofattack:Sergeywasreportedlyleavinghisofficewhenhewasassaultedbyanunknownassailantwhopunchedhimintheface,shoutingthathewas‘gettingthisfor[his]articles’.Sergeyhasreportedlypreviouslyreceivedthreateningarticlesbutsaidthathewasnotsureoverwhicharticlesthisassaultoccurred.Localmediareportsthatthesuspectedassailantwasarrestedatthescene.

Harassed

*DaniilALEXANDROV:Profession:freelancejournalistDateofharassment:30June2016Detailsofharassment:DaniilAlexandrovwasreportedlyworkingforthenewswebsitemedusa.io,reportingfromtheRepublicofKareliaonastoryaboutthedeathof14childreninaboatingaccidentwhenhewasdetained.HewasleavingEssoilskyvillageafterinterviewingtheheadofthetownwhenhewasarrested.Itwasreportedthathewasmadetosignanadministrative-offencereportafterbeingthreatenedwiththeconfiscationofhisequipment.Hesignedthedocument.ThepolicetoldAlexandrovthatMeduzaisaforeignmediaoutletandshouldthereforebeaccreditedthroughtheministryofforeignaffairs.Hiscourtcaseisscheduledfor6July2016,andhefacesthemaximumpenaltyofa1000roublefine(about$15).Otherinformation:MeduzareportedthataccordingtoaMay2016OSCE

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report,accreditationisoptionalforforeignjournalistsworkingasfreelancers,iftheydon'trequirespecial‘privileges’(suchasamulti-entryvisa).*IlyaAZAR:Profession:specialcorrespondentformeduza.ioDateofarrest:11May2016Detailsofarrest:IlyaAzarwasdetainedinGroznyandtakentoalocalpolicestation,reportedlybyagentsofanunknownstateministry.AzarwasintheareatoseeburneddownhousesofallegedterroristswhohadattackedacheckpointinGroznyon9May2016,andwaspickedupataround1.30-2,beforebeingtakentoapolicestation.PolicereleasedAzarataround5.15pm,itwasreported.Hewasreportedtohavebeendetainedtoverifyhisidentity,andhesaysthatthepolicewantedtoknowifhewasa‘terrorist’,a‘terroristsympathiser’oramemberofIS.AMinistryofInternalAffairsspokespersonwasquotedassayingthatAzarwasboughttothepolicestationforidentificationwithintheframeworkofexistinglaws,andthathewasreleasedshortlyafterhispaperswerechecked.*SergeiLOIKO:Profession:journalist,workedwiththeLosAngelesTimesandNovayaGazeta,authorDateofharassment:15April2016Detailsofharassment:ItwasreportedthatSergeiLoikonarrowlyescapedbeingattackedbyunknownassailantsinMoscow.HewasatthestudiosoftheTVstationDozhd’,wherehewasgoingtodiscusshisnewbookentitledAirport,afictionalisedaccountofthe2014DonetskAirportsiege.Hewasapproachedthreateninglybyfourunidentifiedmeninblackhatswhoexitedfromacarwithahiddenlicenseplate.HetookcoverbehindthedooroftheTVstudio,whichwasheldclosedbysecuritywhenthemenattemptedtobreakin.Noneofthemenwerecarryingweapons.Background:InOctober2015,LoikosaidthathehadreceivedthreatsafterthepublicationofAirport.Itwasreportedthathereceivedverbalabuseandphonecalls,andthatananonymouspersondistributedaletterthatslanderedanddenouncedhim,aswellasencouragingotherstodothesame;thishasledtofriendsandneighboursstoppingcommunicatingwithhim.

JudicialHarassment

*OlgaLI(f):Profession:regionalparliamentdeputy,founderandeditor-in-chiefoflocalnewspaperNarodnyiZhurnalist(People’sJournalist)Dateofharassment:14April2016Detailsofharassment:1)ChargesofdefamationwerebroughtagainstthelocaljournalistandparliamentarianOlgaLi,afterastorypublishedinOctober2015accusedalocaljudgeofreportedlymakinganunjustcourtdecision.Itwasreportedthatstateinvestigatorsfoundthematerialfalseanddefamatory.SheisbeingchargedunderArticle298.1,section1oftheCriminalCode(slanderagainstajudge,juror,prosecutor,investigator,detectiveorbailiff).2)Inasecondinvestigation,chargesofextremismwerebroughtagainstLiforapostshemadeonsocialnetworksitevKontakte,inwhichsheaccusedJudgesandprosecutorsof‘committingseriousoffences’.SheisbeingchargedunderArticle282,section1oftheCriminalCode(IncitementofHatredorEnmity,aswellasabasementofhumandignity,[onthegroundsofbelongingtothesocialgroupofgovernmentofficials]).Thetwocasesarenowreportedlybeinginvestigatedtogether.Ifsheisconvicted,shecouldfaceuptotwoyearsinprison.Investigatorsreportedlysaidthatthelanguageusedis‘aimedatdegradingthedignity’ofgovernmentrepresentatives.Background:Liiswell-knownforbeingcriticaloflocalandfederalauthorities,andshehasbeenpublishinginvestigationsintocorruptionincitycommunalservices,taxationandcourts.ItwasreportedthataccordingtoLiandherlawyers,prosecutionagainstherbeganaftershepublishedavideoonYouTubecriticisingtheRussianPresidentandtheRulingParty,UnitedRussia,accusingtheRussianPresidentofa‘criminalconspiracy’againsttheRussianpeople.ShehasalsobeencriticisedfornotsupportingtheRussianannexationofCrimea,andsheclaimsthatnotonlyhasshebeencriticisedbydeputiesofeveryparty,butthataKPRF(CommunistPartyoftheRussianFederation)deputysuggestedthatsheshouldpublicallyapologise.

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*AlexanderVALOV:Profession:editor-in-chiefofBlogSochiDateofarrest:3June2016Detailsofarrest:AlexanderAlexanderValovwasarrestedalongwithasix-manTVcrewfromAmericannetworkHBOandtheirRussianinterpreter.Theywerestoppedbymeninuniformsbutwithoutmarkings,andwithoutexplanationtheywereaskedtogetintotheagent’scars.Theywereaccusedofbreakingbordercontrol.Itwasreportedthattheagentsdeniedthemaccesstoalawyerandrefusedtoacknowledgewhattheyhadbeenstoppedfor;theyrefusedtoidentifythemselves,showIDsorgivereasonsforthedetention.AnofficeroftheFSBbordercontrolfortheKrasnodarterritorysaidthattheyhadenteredthepre-borderzonewithoutspecialpasses,althoughaSochilawyerstatedthatthesettlementwasaresidentialareawithnosignsandmarkingsandthereforethedetentionwasaviolation.TheAmericanjournalistswerereleasedonthesameday,butitwasannouncedthatValovandtheRussianinterpreterwouldbedetainedfor48hoursforallegedlyholdingarallyoragathering.On4JuneacourtfinedtheinterpreterandjailedValovforfivedaysonchargesofviolatingtherulesoforganisingarally(Part3,Article20.2oftheRussianCodeofAdministrativeoffences),despiteValovreportedlyclaimingthattherehadbeennorally.Background:OnApril11ValovwasreportedlydetainedbyborderpoliceforviolatingtheborderbygoingtoVelosoye-Psou,wherehewasdetainedwiththeHBOcrew,tomakeaphotomontagereportondilapidatedhousesbuiltforOlympicsettlers.Hewasfined1,000roubles($15).Otherinformation:AlocalmanwasreportedlyvisitedbyfiveFSBagentswhentheHBOcrewattemptedtointerviewhim,preventingtheinterviewfromproceeding.TheHBOteamreportedlydeclinedtoappealagainsttheactionsoftheFSBteamcitingalackoftime,althoughtheystatedthattheyconsideredtheactionsoftheFSBteamillegitimateastheyhadcommittednounlawfulacts.*VyacheslavYEGOROV:Profession:editor-in-chiefforthenewspaperRegionalnyeVesti–PodmoskvyeDateofharassment:18March2016Detailsofharassment:Itwasreportedthatonthemorningof18March2016FSBandMVDofficerssearchedtheflatofYegorov,enteringat7am,andconfiscatinghiscomputerandhismobilephone.ThesearchwarrantgivenstatedthatheviolatedtheRussianCriminalCodewithcallsforseparatism,andYegorovhasalsostatedthatheissuspectedofinsultingtheRussianPresidentandPrimeMinister;hehasstatedthatheisunawareofwhichofhisarticlescouldhavepromptedthesearch,itwasreported.Sentenced*SergeiALEKSEENKO:Profession:LGBTRightsActivistDateofsentencing:18January2016Detailsoftrial:SergeiAlekseenkowaschargedundertheRussianfederallaws‘forthePurposeofProtectingChildrenfromInformationAdvocatingforaDenialofTraditionalFamilyValues’,itwasreported.Onthe12DecemberAlekseenkowasreportedlysummonedtobylocalpolicetosignastatement,dated20January2015,alleginghehadcommittedanadministrativeviolation.HumanRightsWatchhavesaidthatAlekseenkowaschargedformaterialfoundonthewebsiteoftheLGBTrightsorganisationwhichheusedtohead.Alekseenkowasfined100,000roubles$1,300),althoughAlekseenkoclaimsthatthejudgedidnottakeintoaccountthefactthatthesuitwasfiledagainsttheheadoftheLGBTorganisationMaksimum,whichnolongerexisted,andthatthestatuteoflimitationshadpassedonthecase.(Alekseenkohasstatedhewillprotestthesentence.)Background:HRWreportthattheLGBTgroupwhichAlekseenkoheadedshutinOctober2015aftertheauthoritiesforciblyregistereditunderforeignagentlaws.ConditionalRelease

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AlexeiNAVALNY:Profession:lawyer,politicalactivist,bloggerandrunner-upinthe2013MoscowmayoralelectionsDateofbirth:4June1976Sentence:threeandahalfyearssuspendedprisonsentenceDateofarrest:28February2014Detailsofarrest:Navalnywasplacedunderhousearreston28February2014followingarequestbyinvestigators.Thetermsofhishousearreststipulatedthathemaynotaccesstheinternet,sendorreceiveletters,talktothepressorleavehishousewithoutpriorpermissionfrominvestigators.Thetermofhishousearrestwasextendedbysixmonthson24April2014.Detailsoftrial:Navalnywaschargedwithfraudandmoneylaundering.InlateOctober2013,investigatorschargedAlexeiandhisbrotherOlegofdefraudingaRussiansubsidiaryoftheFrenchcosmeticscompanyYvesRocheroutofapproximately$811,000,andaRussiancompany,MPK,outof4mroubles(approx.$125,000).Theyalsochargedthebrotherswithlaundering$656,000.On30December2014hewasconvictedandgivenathreeandahalfyearsuspendedprisonsentence.Hisbrotherwassentencedtothreeandahalfyears’inprison,andwasrefusedparolein2016.Background:Hewasconvictedofembezzling$500,000fromastate-ownedtimbercompanywhilehewasanadvisortothegovernoroftheKirovOblastandwashandedafive-yearprisonsentencebyalocalcourtinKirovon18July2013.Unusually,theProsecutor’sOfficerequestedhisreleaseandNavalnywasfreedthefollowingday,pendingtheappealofhissentence.Thesentencewaslatersuspended(on16October2013)andNavalnyisnotallowedtorunforpoliticalofficefortheforeseeablefuture.HissuspendedsentencewasupheldbyanappealscourtinFebruary2015;thecourtalsoliftedhishousearrestorder.Background:Navalnyisalong-timecriticofVladimirPutin’srulingUnitedRussiaParty;hiscriticismsoftenappearinhispopularblogwhichhehasusedtoorganiselarge-scaledemonstrationsagainstcorruptioninRussia.HehasalsowrittenarticlesinseveralRussianpublications,suchasForbesRussia.Ina2011interviewwithReuters,heclaimedthatPutin'spoliticalsystemissoweakenedbycorruptionthatRussiacouldfaceanArabSpring-stylerevoltwithinfiveyears.On10July,heregisteredasacandidatefortheMoscowmayoralelectionsscheduledfor8September2013,andearlierhadvoicedhisambitiontoonedayrunforpresident.Throughout2012therewerevariousinvestigationsintoNavalny’sfinancialaffairs.Article19andAmnestyInternationalhavesaidthatNavalnydidnotreceiveafairtrialandthatthechargesagainsthimwerepolitically-motivated.In2014Navalny’sblogwasbannedunderanamendmenttotheLawonInformation,InformationTechnology,andInformationProtectionwhichempowerstheprosecutorgeneral’sofficetoblockwebsitesandblogs‘containingcallsforunsanctionedactsofprotest’within24hours,andwithoutanycourtapproval.NavalnywasdetainedbrieflyinJanuary2015afterbreakingthetermsofhishousearrestbytryingtoattendananti-PutindemonstrationinMoscow.Hewasalsoattackedin2016(seeaboveunder‘Attacked’)Otherinformation:ItwasreportedinFebruary2016thattheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightsruledthattherulingagainstNavalnywas‘prejudicial’andthathehadbeendeprivedofafairtrial.MoscowwasalsoorderedtopayNavalny€8,000(about$8,800)incompensation.PENAction:thebanonNavalny’sblogwasmentionedinPEN’s2014resolutionontheRussianFederation.

WhentheRussianFederationannexedCrimeainMarch2014,itbecameresponsible–underthelawofoccupation–tomaintainorder,safetyandensurethatthefundamentalrightsoftheoccupiedpopulationwereprotected.However,underthelawofoccupation(whichRussiadoesnotacceptappliesinUkraine),theRussianauthoritiesareobligedtoimprisonarrestedpersonsintheoccupiedterritory.

Sincetheannexation,theRussianauthoritieshavealsointroducedArticle280.1totheRussianPenalCodewhichpenalisesanyonemakingpubliccallswhich‘harmtheterritorialintegrityofRussia’withuptofiveyearsinprison.

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OlegSENTSOV:Profession:filmmaker,bestknownforhis2011film,GaamerSentence:20yearsinprisonDateofarrest:11May2014Detailsofarrest:SentsovallegesthatFSBofficersheldhimathisapartmentinCrimeaon10Maywheretheynotonlybeathimup,butalsosuffocatedhimwithaplasticbagtothepointwherehelostconsciousness.Alongwithblowstohisbackandhead,Sentsov’strousersandunderpantswereremovedandhewasthreatenedwithrapewithapolicebaton.ThistreatmentcontinuedforoverthreehoursduringwhichOlegSentsovrefusedtoconfess.Theseallegationsarenotknowntohavebeeninvestigated.Hewasthenarrested,andhisofficialarrestwasrecordedon11Mayon‘suspicionofplottingterroristacts’andmembershipofRightSector,afar-rightUkrainiangroup(thischargehasreportedlysincebeendropped.On26June2014,Russia'spresidentialcouncilforhumanrightsappealedtothedeputyprosecutortoreviewthecircumstancessurroundingthearrestsofSentsovandafellowUkrainianactivist.Areply,postedonthecouncil'swebsite,saidthatprosecutorsfound‘nogroundsforalteringthedetentionofeithersuspect’.On7July2014Sentsov'sarrestwasextendeduntil11October2014;inOctober2014hisarrestwasextendedto11January2015.InSeptember2014,hislawyerappealedtotheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightsregardingSentsov’sarrest,pre-trialdetentionandilltreatment.Healsorequestedaninterimmeasurerequestingaccesstothecasefile.AlsoinSeptember,atapre-trialhearing,SentsovreportedlyclaimedthathehasneverbeenamemberofRightSectororanyotherextremistgroupanddeniedallcharges,statingthathehadbeentortured.Sentsovalsoindicatedthathefearedbeingkilledinprison.TheUkrainianauthoritiesarebannedbytheirRussiancounterpartsfromcontactingSentsov.Currentplaceofdetention:InitiallyheldinMoscow’sLefortovopre-trialdetentioncentre,thejudgeruledinAugust2015thathewouldbeheldinSIZO(pre-trialprison)No.4inRostov-on-DonuntilthejudgmentcameintoforceDetailsoftrial:RussianprosecutorshavestatedthatSentsovhadconfessedtoplottingterroristattacksinCrimea.Sentsov’strialwasduetobeginon11May2015,theone-yearanniversaryofhisdetention,butinthesamemonthaMoscowcitycourtjudgeruledthathispre-trialdetentionshouldbeextendedafurthertwomonthsuntil11July2015.On20August2015,Sentsovwassentencedto20yearsinprisoninahighsecuritypenalcolony.TheSupremeCourtupheldtheconvictionandsentenceon24November2015.Background:SentsovwasalsoanactivistintheMaidanmovementwhichtoppledformerUkrainianPresidentViktorYanukovychOtherinformation:InJuly2016SentsovwasaddedtoanewlistofterroristsandextremistsfromCrimea,alongwithNikolaiSemena(seebelow).PENAction:Mentionedinthe2014resolutiononRussiapassedatPEN’sannualcongress.PENposition:PENbelievesonthebasisoftheavailableevidencethatOlegSentsovismostlikelyheldonaccountofhispoliticalactivities.Asheisnotheldforhisscreen-writing,PEN’sconcernrelatestotheshortcomingsinthejudicialprocedurefollowed,includingthefailuretoinvestigatehisallegationsoftortureandhislengthypre-trialdetention,aswellasthefactthatheisheldinRussia.Underinternationallaw,CrimeaconstitutesoccupiedterritoryandastheOccupyingPower,RussiaisobligedundertheGenevaConventionsnottotransfercivilianprisonersoutoftheterritory.

Harassment*ZairAKADYROV:Profession:Freelancejournalist,bloggerDateofharassment:1)15January20162)22January20163)20April20164)30May2016Dateofrelease:15January2016Detailsofharassment:1)ZairAkadyrovwasbrieflydetainedon15January2016whileattendingaSupremeCourthearingincaseonprotestswhichoccurredduringtheannexationofCrimea.AmongtheaccusedwereseveralCrimeanTataractivistswhosecasesAkadyrovhadpreviouslycoveredonhisblog.2)Hewassummonedforquestioningon22Januaryinconnectionwithhispreviousarrest;theinterviewswerethenpostponedtill25January3)Securityforcesraidedhishouseon20AprilwhileheoursideCrimea4)HewasdetainedontheborderwhenenteringCrimeafromUkrainetovisithisparents.Background:AmongtheaccusedintheSupremeCourthearingwereseveralCrimeanTataractivistsandpublicfigureswhosecasesAkadyrovhadpreviouslycoveredonhisblog.Other

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information:TheOSCEhasreleasedastatementsayingtheyconsiderhisdetention‘apparentretaliation’forpreviouslycoveringoneofthesetrials.*LiliaBUDZHUROVA(f):Profession:Journalist,previouslyheadofCrimeanTatarTVChannel,nowclosedDateofHarassment:30May2016Detailsofharassment:Shereceivedaformalwarningof“theinadmissibilityofextremistactivities”fromtheSimferolprosecutor’sofficesomesixdaysafterwritingamovingappealtoshowsolidarityandsupportforchildrenof18MuslimmenheldincustodyinCrimea.Thewarningcitesherarticle‘Nowtheseareourchildren’andpostsonFacebook,andsuggeststhatthesecontain“extremistutterances”and“publicationswhichcouldinciteethnicandreligioushatredandenmity”.*AnastasiyaRINGIS(F):Profession:journalistforUkrainskayaPravdaDateofharassment:25February2016Detailsofharassment:OnattemptingtotravelthroughChongarcheckpointontheUkrainian-Crimeanadministrativeborder,RingiswasinformedthatbyRussianauthoritiesfortheFSBthatshewasbannedfromenteringthepeninsulauntil2020.Background:RingiswasborninGurzuf,Crimea,andherparentscurrentlystillresideinCrimea.*MykolaSEMENA:Profession:freelancejournalist,journalistforRadioLibertyandKrym.Realii,formerjournalistforRussiannewspaperIzvestiaandUkrainiannewspaperDenDateofharassment:28April2016Detailsofharassment:Acriminalcasewasopenedon19April2016againstMykolaSemena,andhisapartmentwasreportedlysearchedbypolice,alongwiththeapartmentsoftwomorejournalists,LeniaraAbibulayevaandRuslanaLiumanova,aswellasbloggerZairAkadyrov(seebelow).Hewasbrieflydetainedforaninterrogation;thesearchlastedfivehours,andthreelaptops,sevennotepadsandfivememorysticksweretaken,accordingtohisson.TheProsecutor-General’sofficesaidthathewasbeinginvestigatedoveralleged‘callsforunderminingRussianterritorialintegrityviamassmedia.’On28April2016,Semenawassummonedforquestioning,reportedlyformakingcallsforseparatismandunderminingRussia’sterritorialintegrity,todowithapieceonthekrym.realiiwebsite,itwasreported.ItisunderstoodthatSemenahaswrittenforRadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty(RFE/RL)before,butheapparentlydeniesworkingfortheoutlet.Herefusedtoanswerquestions,citinghisrightsunderRussianlawnottoimplicatehimself,andhehasreportedlybeenorderednottoleaveCrimeawhileinvestigationsareunderway.On11July2016,itwasreportedthatSemenahadbeenaddedtoalistofterroristspublishedbytheRussianFinancialMonitoringService(Rosfinmonitoring),aservicewhichismeanttohelpcombatmoneylaunderingandthefinancingofterrorism.Background:On12May2016webusersdiscoveredthatRFE/RLhadbeenbannedbyauthoritiesintheCrimeanPeninsula.ThedefactoprosecutorofCrimea,NataliaPoklonskaya,reportedlysaidon12May2016thattheRussianinternetregulator,Roskomnadzor,hadlaunchedmeasurestoblockandclosedownthesiteofRFE/RL.[StopPress:InDecemberhewasreceivedwrittenchargesof‘callsforunderminingRussianterritorialintegrityviamassmedia’,whichcancarryafiveyearprisonterm]SERBIADeaththreat*BrankicaSTANKOVIĆ(f):Profession:Editor-in-chiefofInsajder(newswebsite),mainwriterfortheinvestigativetelevisionnewsprogrammeInsajder,andauthorDateofthreats:14-22March2016Detailsofthreats:TheCouncilofEuropemediafreedomplatformhavereportedthatnodetailshavebeenreleasedabout

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thecontentofthreatsduetoanongoingpoliceinvestigation.Stankovićreceiveddeaththreatsviaemail,asdidtheeditor-in-chiefofInsajder’sparentcompany,broadcasterB92.TheIndependentAssociationofJournalistsofSerbia(NUNS)havecomdemnedthethreats.Detailsofinvestigation:On23March2016,InteriorMinisterStefanovicannouncedthatanindividualhadbeenarrestedinconnectiontothethreats.Background:Stankovićhasbeenunderpoliceprotectionsince2009assheregularlyreceivesthreatsinconnectionwithherwork.SheistheauthorofInsajder:MyStory,herautobiography,publishedin2013Awards:2014CourageinJournalismawardoftheInternationalWomen'sMediaFoundationHarassed*DraganaPECO(f):Profession:journalistforTheCrimeandCorruptionReportingNetwork(KRIK)Dateofharassment:15July2016Detailsofharassment:Pecoreceivedanonymousthreatsviatwoseparatetwitteraccounts.AccordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProect,oneofthemessagessaidKRIKjournalists‘shouldbelinedupandshotasforeignagentsinSerbia.’KRIKbelievesthatthethreatswereconnectedtoarticlesrevealinghiddenassetsofgovernmentofficialsDetailsofinvestigation:KRIKfiledacriminalcomplainttotheHighCourtofBelgrade.SPAINAttacked*GorkaBEREZIARTUA:Profession:journalistforArgiaMagazineDetailsofattack:accordingtotheMappingMediaFreedomProject,BereziartuawasreportingonaprotestbyalocalmovementagainsttheconstructionofanincinerationplantinSanSebastian(Basqueregion)on19June2016.ArgiapublishedavideoontheirwebsiteshowingpoliceknockingdownandassaultingBereziartua,despitehimdemonstratingthathewasajournalist.BoththeBasqueJournalistAssociation(AVP-EKE)andAssociationofBasqueJournalists(CVP-KEE)havecalledforaninvestigationintotheincident.*JavierNEGRE:Profession:journalistforElMundodailynewspaperDateofharassment:15April2016Detailsofharassment:NegrewroteanarticleinElMundoon3April2016.Hereportedonanincidentin2002whenAndresBodalo,acouncillorforlocalpartyJaenenComun(alocalassociationofPodemosparty),attackedanicecreamshopduringaGeneralStrike.Bodalo’ssupportershavebeenharassingNegreviasocialmediafollowingthepublicationofthearticle.TheAssociationofJournalistsinMadrid(APM)havecondemnedtheharassment.Harassed*Publico(onlinenewspaper):Dateofharassment:24June2016Detailsofharassment:AccordingtotheCouncilofEurope’sjournalistplatform,policeofficersseizedrecordingsofconversationsbetweenJorgeFernandezDiaz,InteriorMinister,andtheDirectoroftheAnti-CorruptionAgencyofCatalonia.PublicoclaimthatthepolicewerenotinpossessionofawarrantandthereforeunlawfullyseizedtherecordingsfromtheirMadridoffice.Sentenced

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*AxierLOPEZ:Profession:journalistforArgiaMagazine,andtheironlinenewscontentDateofsentence:Detailsoftrial:Lópezisthefirstjournalistsentencedunderthecontroversial2015publicsafetylaw,knownasthe‘gaglaw.’Hewasfined€601bythecentralgovernment'slocalrepresentativeofficeinGuipúzcoaintheBasqueregion.Officialsclaimedthathe‘publishedwithoutauthorisation…imagesofapoliceoperationcarriedoutinEibaronthesamemorning.Throughtheseimagesitispossibletoidentifytheofficerstakingpartintheoperation,withtheriskthatfortheofficerscanresultfromtheirpublicidentification.’Lópeztweetedaphotographofanarreston3March2016.HewaschargedunderArticle36.23ofthePublicSafetyLawwhichprohibitstheuseofunauthorisedimagesofsecurityforcesthatcouldendangertheirpersonalorfamilysecurity.BothLópezandArgiaMagazinearerefusingtopaythefineandLópezisappealingthesentence.PENAction:statement21April2016Released*PabloMUNOZ:*CruzMORCILLO:Professions:journalistsfordailynewspaperABCDateofrelease:9May2016Detailsoftrial:MunozandMorcillowereprosecutedforanarticlepublishedonABCon11July2014.ThearticlepublishedphoneconversationsbetweenformertreasurerofPartidoPopularparty,LuisBarcenasandtwomafiamembersofNeapolitanCamorra.AccordingtoABCtheyfacedatwo-and-a-half-yearprisonsentenceformakingtheprivateconversationspublicandforhinderingapoliceinvestigation.Detailsofrelease:On9May2016,theGeneralAttorneyinMadridsupersededtheaccusation.Thetrialendedandthejournalistswereacquitted.TURKEY[Jan-June2016]KilledRohatAKTAŞ(m):Profession:newseditorandreporterforKurdish-languagedailyAzadiyaWelatDateofdeath:between30Januaryand24February2016Detailsofdeath:RohatAktaşwaslastheardfrominthesouth-easterntownofCizreonthe30January2016,andon24FebruarylocalmediareportedthathisbodyhadbeenidentifiedusingDNAtesting.On22JanuaryhewasshotinthearmwhilereportingoneffortstohelpthosewoundedbetweenclashesbetweenKurdishseparatistsandTurkishforces.AccordingtoAktaş’editorandlocalmedia,Turkishforcesfiredonpeopletryingtohelpandhewasshotinthearm.TheCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ)statedthattheywerenotabletoverifythisinformationasjournalistshadbeenbarredfromthearea.HisnewsroomlostcontactwithhiminlateJanuaryandon4FebruaryhiseditortoldCPJthattherehadbeennocontactwithAktaşforfivedays.AccordingtoconversationsheldbyCPJwithsomeofhiscolleaguesandotherjournalistsfromtheregion,theysawitasunlikelythathewastheretofight.Otherinformation:Aktaşhadbeenworkingasthe“responsiblenewseditor”,arolewhichstafftookturnstofilltomitigaterisk,andwaslegallyresponsibleforthecontentofthenewspaper,alongwithstaffwhosebylinesareshown.AccordingtoCPJAzadiyaWelathasbeenthesubjectofjudicialharassmentforanumberofyears.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,CizreisoneofseveralareaswhereTurkishsecurityforceshavefoughtgroupslinkedtothePKK.Thecitywasunder24-hourcurfewbetween14December2015and2March2016,afterwhichofficialsreportedlydeclaredthatmilitaryoperationswereover.KurdishgroupsclaimedthatdozensofpeoplehadburnedtodeathinCizrebasements,andthatsecurityforceshaddeniedmedicaltreatmenttothoseinjuredinclashes.Thisinformationcouldnotbeverifiedasjournalistswerebannedfromthearea.InMay,theUNHigh

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commissionerforHumanRightssaidthathehadreceivedasuccessionofreportsallegingabusesinthesouth-eastofthecountry.Killed-impunityIbrahimABDal-QADER(m)(SyrianNational):Profession:citizen-journalist,contributortothe“RaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilently”(RBSS)informationnetworkandtheAynal-WatanwebsiteDateofdeath:30October2015Detailsofdeath:20-year-oldAbdal-QaderwasfoundbeheadedintheSoutheasterncityofSanliurfa,Turkey,wherehehadbeenlivingasarefugeeforthepastyear.Hewasreportedlyfoundatthehomeofafriendwhohadalsobeendecapitated.TurkishmediareportedthatseveralsuspectswerearrestedalthoughtheIslamicStateorganisationalsoknownasISIShassinceclaimedresponsibilityforthedoublemurder.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016.Background:TheRBSSnetworkwascreatedinApril2014todocumenttheIslamicState’satrocitiesinRaqqa,acityinnorthernSyriacontrolledbythejihadistgroupsincethestartof2014.AfterquicklyestablishingitselfasoneofthemostreliablesourcesofinformationaboutwhatishappeninginRaqqa,RBSSthisyearreceivedanInternationalPressFreedomAwardfromtheCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ).ItscontributorsareunderpermanentthreatfromIS,whichhasdeclaredthemtobe“enemiesofGod.”HrantDİNK(m)(NOTE:Thedirectperpetratorsofhismurderhavebeenconvictedandimprisonedalthoughtheorganisedconspiracybehindhismurderisstillbeinginvestigated):Profession:editoroftheArmenianlanguageAgosmagazineDateofdeath:19January2007Detailsofkilling:KilledoutsidehisofficeinIstanbulbyanassassinon19January2007.DinkhadbeenconvictedunderArticle301ofthePenalCodefor“insultingTurkishness”forhiswritingsonanArmeniangenocide.InOctober2005,hewasgivenasixmonthsuspendedsentencefora2004articleentitled“TheArmenianIdentity”.Dink’smurdersparkeddebateonrevisionorrepealofArticle301,whichmanybelievemarkedDinkoutasatargetforultranationalists.Detailsofinvestigation:OgünSamastwassentencedto22yearsand10monthsinprisonon25July2011,theheaviestsentencethatcanbepassedagainstaminor.Hewas17atthetimeofthemurder.HeconfessedtothekillingandhissentencewasupheldbytheSupremeCourt.YasinHayal,acriminalwithapreviousconvictionforabombattackonaMcDonald’srestaurant,wassentencedtolifeinprisoninsolitaryconfinementandwithnopossibilityofparole,for“solicitinganotherpersontowilfullycommitamurder”;heearlieradmittedtoarmingSamastandinstructinghimtomurderDink.Separately,HayalwassentencedtothreemonthsinprisonforthreateningNobelLaureateOrhanPamukandayearinprisonfor“unauthorisedpossessionofarms”.Twoothers,ErsinYolcuandAhmetİskender,weresentencedto12yearsandsixmonthsinprisoneach,for“assistinginafeloniousmurder”.İskenderwasalsosentencedtoayearinprisonfor“unauthorisedpossessionofarms.”InMay2013,theSupremeCourtofAppealacceptedHrantDink’slawyers’callforthecasetobeconsideredasanorganisedcrime,overturningaJanuary2012courtrulingthatthiswasnotthecase.Thishasopenedthewayforanewtrialtobeopened,whichstartedon17September2013.Thiswillmeanthat:YasinHayal,whosesentencehasalreadybeenupheldbytheSupremeCourt,willnowalsobetriedforleadingthecriminalgangbehindthemurder.OsmanHayal,(brotherofYasinHayal)whowasearliertriedandacquittedofinvolvement,willhavehisacquittalreviewed.HewasallegedlycaughtonsecuritycamerasasbeingwithSamastatthetimeofthemurder.ErhanTuncel,anothersuspectacquittedofthemurder,willnowberetriedasbeingamemberofacriminalorganisationaswillthreeotherdefendantsalsoacquittedwhenanearliercourtruledthatnosuchorganisationexisted.Dink’slawyerswere,however,disappointedthattheretrialdecisiondidnotgofurtherindefiningtheorganisationasa“terroristorganisation,”whichwouldhavegiveninvestigatorsgreaterpowers.On21May2014,thecourtliftedanon-prosecutionorderprotectingIstanbulDeputyGovernorErgünGüngör,IstanbulPoliceChiefCelalettinCerrahandsevenother

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securityofficialsfrombeingprosecutedinrelationtotheDinkmurder.On29June2015,Istanbul’s5thPenalCourtrejectedYasinHayal’spleaforaretrial.On28May,thesamecourthadorderedformerIstanbulpoliceintelligencechiefAliFuatYilmazertobearrestedonchargesofaidingandabettingpremediatedmurder.On3September2015,atthe6thhearingofthecase,thecourtdemandedtheScientificandTechnologicalResearchCouncilofTurkey(TÜBİTAK)toprepareareportbasedonsecuritycameratapestoclarifywhetherOsmanHayalhadbeenfollowingOgunSamastatthecrimescene.On7October2015sevenpoliceofficerswerereportedlytakenintocustodyafternewevidencerelatingtoDink'smurdercametolight.Thesevenarereportedlysuspectedof“helpingkillapersonintentionallyinanorganisedway;forgeryandcover-upofofficialdocuments.”Inaletterdated13November2015,OgunSamastreportedlyrequestedtobeallowedtopresenthistestimonyforthe“criminalorganisation”legofthecaseintothemurder,alsoaskingtobetransferredtoaprisoninIstanbul,fromthehigh-securityF-typeprisoninKandıra,Kocaeliprovince,whereheiscurrentlyheld.On9December2015theInstanbulChiefPublicProsecutor’sOfficeapprovedtheindictmentpreparedagainst26formerofficers,includingpolicechiefs,into“negligenceonpublicduty”intheshootingdeathofDink,althoughthecourtreportedlyrefusedtojointhetwocasesandthereforetheprosecutorforwardedtheindictmentreporttotheIstanbul14thHighCriminalCourt.Accordingtoreports,therearearrestwarrantsfortwofurthersuspects.Update:InJanuary2016,the5thChamberoftheSupremeCourtofAppealorderedthetwocasestobejoinedtogether.Thetrialof34suspectsonchargesofrunningacriminalnetwork,destroyingevidence,derelictionofdutyandofficialmisconductbeganinApril2016andwascontinuingattheendofJune2016.HonoraryMember:PENVlaanderen,EnglishPENandNorwegianPEN.PENAction:Hewasoneofthe50writerschosentorepresentthestruggleforfreedomofexpressionsince1960fortheWritersinPrisonCommittee’s50thAnniversaryCampaign–BecauseWritersSpeakTheirMinds,representing2007.NajiJERF(m)(SyrianNational)Profession:founderandeditorofoppositionmagazineHentaanddocumentaryfilmmakerDateofdeath:27December2015Detailsofdeath:JerfwasgunneddowninbroaddaylightinGaziantep,southeasternTurkeywherehehadworkedforthepastthreeyearsdocumentingatrocitiesbyIslamicState(alsoknownasISISandISIL)andtheSyriangovernment.Nogrouphasclaimedhismurderasof30June2016althoughitisbelievedIslamicStateisresponsible.Background:OriginallyfromSalamiyah,HamaprovinceJerfcoveredhumanrightsabusesandcoordinatedtheworkofcitizen-journalistsafterthestartoftheuprisingin2011.WhenthegovernmentintelligenceofficersidentifiedhimandransackedhisofficeinOctober2012hewentintohidingandfledthecountryamonthlater.HehadpreviouslytoldReportersWithoutBorders(RSF)thathehadbeenreceivingthreatsandhadjustobtainedavisaforFrancewherehehadplannedtomovenextmonth.Inhisvisaapplicationletter,hesaidhefearedforhissafetyandwouldliketoliveinacountrythat“respectshumanrights.”Francegavehimtheprotectionhesoughtbuthiskillersactedbeforeheleft.InaletterinJuly2015totheFrenchambassadorinTurkeyinsupportofhisapplication,hewrote:“InowliveintheTurkishcityofGaziantepandmysafetyismoreandmoredifficultafteranincreaseinthethreatstomeandmyfamily,aboveallbecauseIamasecularistandbelongtotheIsmailiminority,whichistargetedbytheJihadis.”ThethreatsagainstJerfbegantoincreasethispastsummerbecauseofhiscoverageoftheatrocitiesbyIslamicState.Hisfilm“ISILinAleppo,”whichdocumentedtheIslamicState'sexecutionofmanySyrianactivists,wasreleasedinDecember2015.JerfwasalsoincontactwithRaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilently(RBSS),acitizen-journalistcollectivewhosemembersarebeingpursuedbyIslamicState,whichhasdeclaredthemtobe“enemiesofGod.”Imprisoned:MaincaseMehmetBARANSU(m):

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Profession:JournalistforthedailyTarafSentence:1)10monthsinprison(alsoontrialforothercharges)2)11monthsand20days3)10monthsinprisonDateofarrest:2March2015Detailsofarrest:BaransuwasarrestedalongwithMuratSekiÇobanonthechargesofformingacriminalorganizationandobtaining,distortingandstealingsecretstatedocuments.BaransubrokeastoryaboutanallegedmilitarycoupknownasSledgehammerin2010afterhavingreceivedCDs,tapesanddocumentsfromasource.Currentplaceofdetention:SilivriPrison,IstanbulDetailsoftrial:1)TheIstanbulChiefPublicProsecutor’sOfficelaunchedaninvestigationagainstBaransuandÇobaninNovember2013onthegroundsthatthey“revealedconfidentialdocumentsregardingTurkey’snationalsecurityinterests”inthearticle“Gülen’iBitirmeKararı2004’teMGK’deAlındı”(TheDecisiontoRuintheGülenMovementMadeattheNationalSecurityCouncilMeetingin2004),whichwaswrittenbyBaransuandpublishedbyTarafon28November2013.BaransuandÇobanwereofficiallychargedon22May2014followingasix-monthinvestigation.2)On30JuneBaransuwasreportedlyalsoquestionedbyforthefirsttimeinaninvestigationstartedbyMİT,theTurkishintelligenceagency,inApril.Inthatcase,BaransuisreportedlybeinginvestigatedoveraseriesofarticlesandopinioncolumnspublishedinTarafin2011ontheUldereairstrikeinDecemberofthatyear,inwhich34KurdishvillagerswerekilledbyTurkishfighterjets.DetailsoftheMİTinvestigationarelimitedbecauseithasbeendeclaredastatesecret.Baransuisreportedlyaccusedof“collectingsecretofficialdocumentsonstate'ssecurityandpoliticalinterests”.3)On5October2015BaransuwaschargedwithstagingacoupagainsttheTurkishgovernmentvianewsarticleshereportedlypublishedaboutgeneticallymodifiedrice.TheMersin2ndHighCriminalCourthasacceptedtheindictment.TheprosecutionstatedintheindictmentthatBaransuattemptedtocreateanegativeperceptionaboutsomegovernmentofficialsinthereportsbystatingthatthoseofficialshadoverlookedthosewhoimportedgeneticallymodifiedriceandthatBaransuhadintendedtoputpressureonthegovernmenttoresignbyallegingthatthegovernmenthadcoveredupthecorruption.Thefirsthearingtookplaceon14October2015;abanonreportingthetrialwasimposedon13October2015.BiosecurityLawNo.5977prohibitstheproductionofGMOfoodsinTurkeyandmakesitmandatorytosecurepermissionfromtheministrytotransporttheseproductsthroughTurkey.4)On30June2015Baransuwashandeda10-monthjailsentencebytheAnadolu2ndCivilCourtofFirstInstanceforinsultingthethenPrimeMinister,PresidentErdoğan.ThechargesconcernedBaransu’stweets,whichhedeniedhadcontainedanyinsults.WhilsttheindictmentaccusedBaransuofinsultingandblackmailingPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğan,seekingaseven-yearsentence,thecourtdecidedthatthetweetsdidcontainedinsultsandimposeda10-monthprisonsentence.5)On2February2016,Baransuwasimprisonedforafurther11monthsand20daysforhiscriticismoftheheadoftheNationalIntelligenceAgency.Conditionsofdetention:Accordingtohislawyer,Baransuwaskeptinisolationfornearlyfourmonthsbeforebeinggivenacellmateon22June2015.Cobanisfreependingtrial.PENAction:Statement5March2015NoteonAnti-TerrorInvestigationsinTurkey:ThemajorityofcasesbroughtagainstwritersandjournalistsinTurkeyfallunderthescopeofvariousAnti-Terrorinvestigations.TheKCK(KurdistanCommunitiesUnion),isthealleged‘urbanwing’oftheoutlawedPKK(KurdistanWorkersParty),whichhasbeenengagedinarmedconflictwiththeTurkisharmysince1984.ThevariouswavesofthisinvestigationhavetargetedKurdishandTurkishcivilianswithpro-Kurdishsympathies,includingpoliticians,lawyers,humanrightsdefenders,academics,translators,researchers,publishers,journalistsandwriters.Eachinvestigationisaimedattargetingaseparatealleged‘wing’oftheorganisation,suchasthe‘committeeofleadership’(46ofthe50undertrialinthiswavearelawyers),the‘politicalwing’(includingpublishers,academicsandtranslatorsalongsidepoliticians)andthe‘presswing’(whichimplicates46journalists).

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TheErgenekoninvestigationattemptstouncoveranalleged,clandestine,ultranationalistorganisationengagedintheplottingofamilitary-backedoverthrowofthegovernment.Theearlywavesofthisinvestigationlargelytargetedmembersofsecurityandintelligenceforces,aswellasinvestigativejournalistswithallegedrelationshipstothem.OneofthelatterwavesoftheinvestigationimplicatedonlinenewsoutletODATVintheconspiracy,aswellasanumberofinvestigativejournalistswritingabouttheallegedinfiltrationofthepoliceandjudiciarybymembersoftheliberalIslamic‘GülenMovement’TheFETOinvestigationrelatestothewidespreadinfiltrationofvariousorgansofstate,includingthepolice,militaryandjudiciaryoffollowersofFethullahGülen,aUS-basedcleric.InitiallyclosetotherulingAKPparty,thetwogroupsfelloutandsinceDecember2013,thegovernmenthasbeencrackingdownonallegedGulenistsympathisers,designatingtheGulenmovementasaterroristorganisation(FETO).SincethefailedcoupofJuly2016,thiscrackdownhasmassivelyincreased,afterthegovernmentdeclaredastateofemergencyanditsderogationfromtheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights.Tensofthousandsofstateofficialshavebeenpurgedfromthejudiciary,police,military,educationsystemanduniversities;thousandshavebeenarrested,includingwellover100journalistsandwriters.AlthoughinitiallythosesuspectedofaffiliationtotheGülenmovementweretargeted,Kurdishandpro-Kurdishjournalistshavealsobeenarrested,alongwithothersknowntobecriticalofthegovernment.Thislistindicatesthosepersonswhosecasesarelinkedtooneoftheseinvestigations.Wherethereisnoreferencetoeither,thesearecaseswhicharenotknowntobelinkedtoanyparticularinvestigation.Imprisoned:investigationPENisseekingfurtherinformationastowhetherthewritersbelowusedoradvocatedviolence.SeyithanAKYÜZ(m):Profession:journalistforAzadiyaWelat,aKurdishlanguagedailynewspaperSentence:22years,6monthsinprisonDateofarrest:7December2009Currentplaceofdetention:IspartaE-TypePrisonDetailsoftrial:HewassentencedinOctober2012afterconvictionofoffencesunderArticle314/2oftheTurkishPenalCode(membershipofaterroristorganisation),Article5/1oftheAnti-TerrorLaw(membershipofaterroristorganisation)andArticle7/2oftheAnti-TerrorLaw(makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation).Theindictmentagainsthimreferstobannedpro-Kurdishcalendarsandnewspapers,someofwhichhedistributedduringMayDaycelebrationsin2006,aswellas“engaginginpropagandaactivitiesandprovidingCDsandorganizationdocumentswithintheframeworkoftheurbanwingofthearmedterroristorganization”and“participatingintheillegaldemonstrationwithstonesandMolotovbombsinAdanaon9August2009.”Remainedimprisonedasof1August2015.SevcanATAK(f):Profession:ÖzgürHalkeditorDateofarrest:18June2010Sentence:SevenyearsandsixmonthsCurrentplaceofdetention:İzmirŞakranWomen'PrisonDetailsoftrialShewasconvictedon26May2011ofoffencesunderArticle314/2oftheTurkishPenalCode(membershipofanarmedorganisation),andArticle5oftheAntiTerrorLaw(membershipofaterroristorganisation)inDiyarbakir.Conditionsindetention:Accordingtothemediareports,Atakhasserioushealthproblems.Sheissufferingfromcanceroftheuterusandisatriskoflosinghereyesight.Medicalreportshaverecommendedthatsheisreleasedformedicaltreatment.Sheremainedimprisonedasof1August2016.MikailBARUT(m):

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Profession:ÖzgürHalkeditorSentence:SevenyearsandsixmonthsDateofarrest:20December2011Currentplaceofdetention:SilivriL-TypePrisonDetailsoftrial:anallegedmemberoftheKCK“PressWing”,heisfacingtrialfor“leadershipofanillegalorganisation”underArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLawandArticle314/1oftheTurkishPenalCode(“leadershipofanarmedorganisation”).ThereisnodetentionorderagainsthimunderthesechargesbutheremainsimprisonedunderaseparatecaseforinvolvementintheKCK.PENisseekingfurtherdetailsonthisothercase.Heremainedimprisonedasof1August2016.GurbetÇAKAR(f):Profession:EditorinchiefofKurdishlanguagemagazineHeviyaJineDateofarrest:March2010Sentence:SevenyearsandsixmonthsinprisonDetailsoftrial:Sentencedon30December2010for“committingacrimeonbehalfofaterroristorganisationwithoutbeingamember”and“makingterroristpropaganda”underArticle7/2oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.ThechargesrelatetoarticlespublishedinKurdishlanguagemagazineHeviyaJine.Remainedimprisonedasof1August2016.ErsinÇELIK(m):Profession:journalistfortheDicleNewsAgency(DİHA)Sentence:(1)Sixyearsinprison(2)TenmonthsinprisonDateofarrest:22March2008Detailsoftrial:(1)SentencedinJanuary2010bytheMalatyaThirdHighCriminalCourtwith26otherpeopleonchargesof“membershipofaterroristorganisation”underArticle314/2oftheTurkishPenalCodeandArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.HewasarrestedinMarch2008alongwithsome100peoplefortheirallegedinvolvementinthePatrioticDemocraticYouthAssembly(YDGM)linkedbyprosecutorstoKCKandthePKK.30weredetainedofwhich26werefreedaftertwomonths.Theywereaccusedonthetestimonyofonewitnesswhoclaimstohaverecognisedthemasmembers.PENisseekingclarificationofwhetherhehasappealedhissentence.(2)On13May2011,Çelikwassentencedto10monthsinprisonbytheDiyarbakır6thHighCriminalCourtonanotherchargeofhaving“disclosedtheidentityofapoliceofficeronanti-terrorduties”inanarticleonthedeathofastudentkilledduringademonstrationin2009.Çelikcitedthenamesoftheofficersaccusedoftheshootinginhisarticle.Hewasunabletoattendthehearingbecauseofhisdetention.Anappealhasbeenlodged.PENisseekingfurtherdetails.Nofurtherinformationasof1August2016.FerhatÇİFTÇİ(m):Profession:journalistforAzadiyaWelat;GazianteprepresentativeSentence:22yearsand6monthsinprisonDateofarrest:16February2011Currentplaceofdetention:GaziantepH-TypePrisonDetailsoftrial:Convictedinearly2013onchargesofleadershipofanarmedorganisationunderArticle314/1oftheTurkishPenalCode,leadershipofaterroristorganisationunderArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLawandmakingpropagandaforaterroristorganisationunderArticle7/2oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.Stillimprisonedasof1August2016.ŞahabettinDEMİR(m):Profession:journalistforDicleNewsAgency(DİHA)inVan,southeasternTurkeySentence:Fouryearsforpropagandaand11yearsinanothercaseDateofarrest:9May2010Currentplaceofdetention:ErzurumOltuT-TypePrisonDetailsoftrial:ConvictedofmakingpropagandaforaterroristorganisationunderArticle7/2oftheAnti-TerrorLawandsubsequentlysentencedtofouryearsinprison,upheldbytheSupremeCourt.TheCourtsentencedhimtofouryearsinprisonfor"spreadingpropagandainfavourofPKKorganization".TheHighAppealCourthadconfirmedthesentence.HewasimprisonedinBitlisETypePrisonafteraviolentaltercationbetweenhim,histwobrothersandhiscousin.HewastransferredonJuly,9,2012toGiresunETypePrison.TheHeavyPenalCourtsentencedDemirto11yearsinprisonfor"attemptingmurder,assaultwithaweapon,andtrespassing".YolyapanbelievesDemirisconvictedbecauseofanarticlethatthejournalistwroteontherapingofaminor,allegedlyperpetratedbyfourpoliceofficers.Asthelastresort,hislawyer

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appealedtotheConstitutionalCourt.OnNovember2012,Demirlaunchedhungerstrikefor28dayswithmanyjournalistsdetainedinKCKcasesforprotestingdetentionconditionsofPKKleaderAbdullahÖcalan,andalsoinrecognitionoftherightofusingmothertongueinthecourtsandeducation.Hestoppeditfollowingthegovernment'spromisestocarryoutreformsinfavouroftheuseoftheKurdishlanguageforthedefence.Heremainsimprisonedasof1August2016.

HamitDUMAN(aliasDİLBAHAR(m)):Profession:poet,politicianandjournalistforAzadiyaWelatSentence:16yearsDateofarrest:13February2010,aspartoftheKCKoperation.Currentplaceofdetention:ErzurumE-typeprisonDetailsoftrial:ConvictedofleadershipofanarmedorganisationunderArticle314/1oftheTurkishPenalCodeandleadershipofaterroristorganisationunderArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLawinearly2013andsentencedto16yearsinprison.Stillimprisonedasof1August2016.HaticeDUMAN(f):Profession:Atılım(Leap)magazineownerandeditorSentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:1April2003Detailsofarrest:ArrestedaspartofaninvestigationintotheMarxistLeninistCommunistParty(MKLP)Currentplaceofdetention:BakırköyWomenPrisoninİstanbulDetailsoftrial:HerlifesentenceimposedinMay2011wasupheldon16October2012bytheSupremeCourtofAppeals.ShewasconvictedofleadershipofanarmedorganisationunderArticle314/1oftheTurkishPenalCodeandleadershipofaterroristorganisationunderArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.Believedtohaveotherconvictionsandchargesagainsther.Stillimprisonedasof1August2016.MustafaGÖK(m):Profession:EkmekveAdalet(breadandjustice)weekly’srepresentativeandjournalistwithsatiricalmagazineVızGelirDateofbirth:1966Sentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:19February2004Currentplaceofdetention:TekirdağF-TypePrisonDetailsoftrial:AlocalcourtsentencedGöktosixyearsandthreemonthsinprisononchargesofbeingamemberoftheoutlawedRevolutionaryPeople'sSalvationParty/Front(DHKP/C),accordingtohisdefencelawyer,EvrimDenizKaratana.Gök'slawyersappealedthesentence.KaratanatoldCPJthattheevidenceagainstthejournalistconsistedofhisnewscoverageandattendanceatpoliticaldemonstrations.ShesaidGökhadbeentargetedforhisreportingonpoliticsandhumanrights,alongwithhisbeliefsasasocialist.Healthconcerns:GöksuffersfromWernicke-Korsakoffsyndrome,abraindisorder,whichhasledtoalossofsightandbalance.Heremainsinprisonasof31December2015despitehavingamedicaldocumentthatsayshehasaseveredisabilityandisineligibleforincarceration.Background:Gökwasalsoservingalifetermonchargesofmembershipinaterroristorganization,forgery,bombing,andmurder,alldatingtotheearly1990s,accordingtotheJusticeMinistry'supdatedlist.Thelifesentencewaswithdrawnin2002whenGökwasreleasedonparoleforhealthreasons,KaratanatoldCPJ.WhenGökwasrearrestedin2004ontheDHKP/Cmembershipcharges,thelifetermwasreinstated,shesaid.Shesaidtheirappealagainstthereinstatedlifetermwasrejected.Stillimprisonedasof1August2016.AliKONARandNuriYEŞİL(m):Profession:bothjournalistsforAzadiyaWelatSentence:Sevenyearsandfivemonths,and22yearsand6monthsrespectivelyDateofarrest:27May2010Currentplacesofdetention:KonariscurrentlyinMalatyaE-TypePrisonwhileYeşilisinMaraşElbistanETypePrisonDetailsoftrial:TheywerechargedinrelationtotheYurtseverDemokratikGençlikMeclisi(YDGM)(PatrioticDemocraticYouthAssembly)linkedtotheKCK.KonarwassentencedinDecember2010to7yearsandfivemonthsinprisonunderArticles220and314/2oftheTurkishPenalCodeformembershipofanarmedorganisationandArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLawformembershipofaterroristorganisation.YeşilwassentencedinJune2013to12yearsand6monthsinprisonunderArticle314/2oftheTurkishPenalCodeandArticles5and7/2oftheAnti-TerrorLawformembershipofandpropagandaforaterroristorganisation.Hehadpreviouslybeensentencedforpropaganda,serving10monthsin

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prisonfromNovember2008toAugust2009,andlaterreceivingaoneyearandsevenmonthssentence(unclearifdetainedforthis)forpropaganda.AHighAppealsCourtisexpectedtodecideaboutthedecisions.Bothstillimprisonedasof1August2016.SevanNİŞANYAN(m):Profession:Turkishlanguagehistorian,writerandAgoscolumnistSentence:1)Thirteenandahalfmonths(postponeduntiltheoutcomeofanappeal)2)11years(currentlybeingserved)Dateofarrest:January2014Currentplaceofdetention:AprisoninTorbali,IzmirprovinceDetailsofTrial:1)HewasfoundguiltyofreligiousdefamationunderArticle216/3oftheTurkishPenalCodeon24May2013forcommentshemaderegardingMuhammadinhispersonalblog.Hewashandeda13-and-a-halfmonthprisonsentence,withthecourtdecidingnottosuspendhissentenceorcommuteittoafineasaresultofhispriorconvictions.Thissentencehasbeenpostponeduntiltheoutcomeofanappeal,whichiscurrentlyongoingandisbelievedtobescheduledfor25October2016.2)Nişanyaniscurrentlyservingaprisonsentenceasaresultofalongstandinglegalbattlewiththestateoverplanningpermission.NişanyanbeganthisprisonsentenceinearlyJanuary2014.InApril2015,acourtincreasedthelengthofthissentencefromsixyearsandsixmonthsto11yearsandonemonthafterhewasconvictedofadditionalplanningoffences.Nomoreinformationasof30December2015.PENActions:InterviewwithSevanNişanyan,5February2015.MentionedinPEN’s2015report:Surveillance,SecrecyandSelf-Censorship:NewDigitalFreedomChallengesInTurkeyErdalSÜSEM(m):Profession:EylülHapishane(SeptemberPrison)magazineeditorDateofarrest:1February2010Sentence:lifeimprisonment(datenotknown)Currentplaceofdetention:EdirneF-typePrisonDetailsoftrial:Convictedof“attemptingtooverthrowtheconstitutionalorderbyforce”andmembershipoftheoutlawedMarxistLeninistCommunistParty(MKLP)underarticle314ofthePenalCodeandArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.SentenceupheldinFebruary2011.Asecondtrialagainsthim,relatedto“propaganda”forterrorismisunderwayforwhichhecouldbesentencedtoanadditional15yearsinprison.Stillimprisonedasof1August2016.SamiTUNCA(m):Profession:editor-in-chiefofYeniEvredeMücadeleBirligipoliticalreviewSentence:tenyearsandfivemonthimprisonmentDateofarrest:19September2013Detailsofarrest:Tuncawasarrestedon17September,athishomeinTekirdag.InJune,hehadattendedseveraldemonstrationsheldinSarigazidistrict.Duringhisarrest,thepoliceshowedhimpicturesofprotesters,theirfacescovered,throwingstonesorinpossessionofironbars."Iparticipatedintheseeventswithmyidentityasajournalistandsocialist",hewroteinalettersenttoreaders,on5October2013.Tuncaremainsimprisonedasof1August2016.Currentplaceofdetention:TekirdağN.1FtypeHighSecurityClosedPrisonDetailsoftrial:TuncawasconvictedbytheAdana7thHighCriminalCourtfor"membershipofanoutlawedorganization","propagandaofaterroristorganization","possessionofexplosivedevice"and"violationofLaw2911ondemonstration"inacaseinGaziantep(FileN.2008/144).(2)TuncaisalsoontrialonchargesofbelongingtoLabourPartyofTurkey/Leninist(abannedorganization),“attendingillegaldemonstrations","possessingfakeID","throwingstonesandMolotovcocktails”andwasreleasedpendingtrialbyIstanbul19thHighCriminalCourton18July2014.Otherinformation:IstanbulAnatolia11thFirstInstanceCourtacquittedTuncaforattendingNewroz(KurdishNewYear)celebrationsandtheGezidemonstrationsin2013.

ErolZAVAR(m):Profession:PoetandformereditorinchiefofOdakandDirenişmagazinesDateofarrest:January2000Sentence:lifeimprisonmentDetailsoftrial:Convictedof“attemptingtooverthrowtheconstitutionalorder”inJanuary2001.Imprisonedeversincedespitenumerouscampaignsforhisreleaseandseveralbattleswithcancer.ZavarwaseditorinchiefatOdakandDirenişin1997and

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1998andhashadtwobooksofpoetrypublishedduringhistimeinprison.Heremainedimprisonedasof1August2016.Detained:investigation

*EminDEMIR(m):Profession:Freelancereporter.Dateofarrest:31April2016.WasdetainedbytheMersinCityPoliceDepartmentonchargesof“incitingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation”duetohissocialmediasharing.Currentplaceofdetention:MersinETypePrison.Stilldetainedasof01August2016*OzanKILINÇ(m):Profession:formereditor-in-chiefoftheDiyarbakir-basedKurdishlanguagenewspaperAzadiyaWelat,FreeJournalists'AssociationExecutiveBoardmemberandCo-ChairoftheAmedKurdishLanguageResearchandDevelopmentAssociationDateofbirth:1984Dateofarrest:25May2016Detailsofarrest:ArrestedfromhishomeinDiyarbakir.Background:Kılınçwaspreviouslysentencedunderanti-terrorlegislationformembershipoftheKurdishWorkersParty(PKK)apparentlyinconnectionwithhispublicationof12editionsofhisnewspapercontainingreferencestothePKK.Eacheditionattracteda15-monthsentence,makingthetotal21years.Hereceivedanadditionalsix-yearandthreemonthsentencefor“committingacrimeforanillegalorganisationwithouthimselfbeingamemberoftheillegalorganisation”.HisdefencesaidthatthenewspaperhadonlyreferredtothePKKleaderAbdullahOcalan(nowimprisoned)asthe“leaderoftheKurdishpeople”andfailedtocallTurkishsoldierskilledinbattleas“martyrs”.Kilinçwasnotpresentatthetrialandanarrestwarrantwasissued.Hewasarrestedon22July2010duringapoliceraidonhishomeinDiyarbakir,fivemonthsafterhisconvictionon11February2010.InFebruary2011hisprevious21-yearsentencewasoverturnedasbeingtoohigh.On11April2011hewassentencedtosixyearsandninemonthsinprison.HisrequestforhistrialtobeheldinKurdishwasrefused.KılınçwasreleasedinAugust2012inresponsetotheThirdJudicialReformPackagewhichsuspendedhissentenceforthreeyears.Thishasnowexpired.KılınçisfacinguptohalfadozencasesinfrontoftheSupremeCourtofAppeals,allofthempertainingtothechargeof“makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation”.Nomoreinformationaboutthesecasesasof30June2016.KilinçwasalsobrieflydetainedinJune2015(see2015CaseList).HidayetKARACA(m)(FETO):Profession:formerZamanreporterandchairmanoftheSamanyoluBroadcastingGroupDateofarrest:14December2014Currentplaceofdetention:Istanbul’sSilivriprison.KaracaDetailsoftrial:Karacawasoneof31peoplearrestedon14December2014“onsuspicionofmembershipofanillegalorganisation”.Amongthosearrestedwerehigh-rankingmembersoftheIstanbulpoliceforceaswellasjournalists,screenwriters,producersanddirectorswhohaveworkedfornewspapersandTVstationssaidtobeaffiliatedwiththeGülenmovement.ThearrestscameagainstabackdropofescalatingpoliticaltensionsbetweentherulingpartyinTurkeyandthefollowersofIslamicclericFethullahGülen.On26April2015,theIstanbul32ndCourtofFirstInstanceissuedaverdicttoreleaseKaracabutthedecisionwasoverruledbytheIstanbul10thCourtofPeaceonthegroundsthattheformercourthadnoauthoritytodecide.On12December2015IstanbulpolicereportedlyraidedandsearchedKaraca’shome.Accordingtoreports,policecarriedoutasix-hour-longsearchandseizedacomputerusedbyKaraca’schildren.Karaca’slawyersaidthattheaimofthesearchwastodisturbthefamilyofthejournalistandthat“itisimpossiblethatthejudgewhotookthisdecisiondoesnotknowthatheisalreadyinjail.”HistrialbeganinDecember2015.Conditionsindetention:Hehasclaimedthattherewerecamerasinthetoiletandbathroominhisprisoncell.PENActions:Statement15December2014*MeltemOKTAY(f):

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Profession:reporterforDIHA.Dateofarrest:14April2016Detailsofarrest:OktayalongsideUğurAkgül(seebriefdetentionbelow),werearrestedbypoliceinearly-morningraidsontheirhouses,withreportsemergingatthetimethattheyhadbeenbeaten.AfterconcernsaboutthesafetyoftheNusaybincourthouse,thetwowereinterrogatedthenextdayinamakeshiftcourthouseonthetopfloorofahospital.DIHAreportedthatthepolicecitedasevidencetheirjournalisticworkaswellaspoststosocialmedia.On27June2016herrequesttobereleasedpendingtrialwasrefusedbytheMardinSecondCourtofSeriousCrimes.Detailsoftrial:AccordingtoCPJ,Oktayhasbeenchargedwith‘membershipofaterroristorganisation’and‘makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation’.Hertrialwasscheduledtostarton18August,DIHAreported.DIHAalsoreportedthatoneofthewitnesseswhohadtestifiedagainstOktayhadrecantedhistestimony,sayingthatithadbeenextractedundertorture.[StopPress:Oktaywasreleasedon18Augustafterthefirstsessionofhertrial;sheisalsobannedfromleavingthecountry.]*NedimTürfent(m):Profession:DİHAreporter.Dateofarrest:13May2016.Detainedonthe13May2016afterhisvehiclewasstoppedenteringthecityofVan.HewastakentoYüksekovaprosecutorsofficewherehewasarrestedfor'membershipofaterrororganisation'forhisreportingandsecretwitnessaccounts.Healthconcerns:Hetestifiedthathewassufferingseveremedicalissuesduetotheviolencehewassubjectedtowhenhewasdetained.HealsosaidhewasdeniedamedicalreportfromdoctorsinHakkariStateHospitalthathewastakento.Stilldetainedasof1August2016.

Ontrial:KCK-PressWing46journalists,mainlyworkingforthepro-Kurdishmedia,havebeenontrialforformingthe‘mediacommittee’oftheKurdistanCommunitiesUnion(KCK)andtakingordersfromtheoutlawedKurdistanWorkersParty(PKK).AllarrestedinDecember2011,manyservedmorethantwoyearsinprison.FollowingtheabolitionofSpecialAuthorityCourtsinthe4thJudicialReformPackageinFebruary2014,allsuspectedmembersoftheKCK“PressWing”werefreedpendingtrialwiththesoleexceptionofMikhailBarut(seeaboveunderImprisoned:Investigation),whoisdetainedonchargesrelatingtoaseparateinvestigation.ArequestforarulingfromtheConstitutionalCourtonwhetherthecasehasbeenconductedonlawfulgroundsundertheTurkishConstitutionhadnotyetbeenansweredby30June2016.Thecasecontinues;sessionstookplaceon8Apriland15July2016.Fordetailsofthenamesof6maleand2femalejournalistsontrialinthiscase,pleaserefertopreviouscaselists.Ontrial:KCK–OtherAtleast21journalistsandotherwriterswereputontrialinotherKCK-relatedcases.13havebeenreleasedwhilst8remainontrial.Fordetailspleaserefertopreviouscaselists.Ontrial:Ergenekon–ODATVNedimŞENER(m):Profession:journalistandwriterDateofbirth:1966Dateofarrest:7March2011Detailsofarrest:arrestedalongsideAhmetŞık(below)Dateofrelease:12March2012Detailsofrelease:ŞenerandŞıkwerefreedpendingtrialalongwithCoşkunMuslukandSaitÇakır(seebelow).ThepresidingJudgeMehmetEkincicitedthatthetimespentinpre-trialdetentionwasaconsiderationforhisreleaseandalsothattherehadbeensomechangestothecharges.DetailsofTrial:1)Formallychargedon11March2011with13othersonchargesrelatedtotheErgenekoninvestigation.ODATV,anewswebsite,isdescribedasitsmediawing.Chargedwith“membershipofanarmed

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organisation”underPenalCodeArticle314/2.Histrialbeganon14April2011andwasstillongoingattheendoftheyear.HeisbeingtriedjointlywithjournalistAhmetŞık(seebelow).On26August2011,itwasannouncedthat14peoplehadbeenindictedinthecase,includingwriterHüseyinSonerYalçın,andjournalistsCoşkunMuslukandSaitÇakır.(Alsoseebelow).Amongtheevidenceproducedatthetrialaredocumentsrelatingtostatesecurity,saidtohavebeenfoundontheODATVcomputerswhentheywereseized.Thedefendantsclaimthattheydidnotopenorrequestthesefiles.TheevidencewassenttothegovernmentScientificandTechnologicalResearchCouncilofTurkey(TÜBİTAK)thatisresponsibleforresearchoninformationtechnology,amongotherissues.TÜBİTAKconcludedthatthefileshadbeenplacedinthecomputersbyavirus,andthattherewasnoclearevidencethattheyhadbeenopenedorreadbytherecipients.ThiswasconfirmedbyanindependentreportfromaUSdatacompany.DefencelawyersrefertothepublicationofabookinAugust2010byHanefiAvcı,aformerpolicechiefalsoimplicatedinODATVinwhichheclaimedthatmembersoftheGülenmovementwereinvolvedinpoliceactivities.ŞenerandŞıkhadalsowrittenonsimilarissues,leadingthedefendantstoclaimtothatthetrialwasinitiatedbecauseoftheserevelations.Thetrialwascontinuingin2016,withthenexthearingscheduledforNovember20162)NedimSenerisalsoontrialoverhisbooktitledYasinElKadi.YasinElKadiandCuneytZapsuwhoareclosetoPresidentErdogansuedSenerfordefamation,seekingcompensationofupto105thousandTurkishlira(around20,000pounds).Accordingtolocalnewsreportson6December2015,ŞeneradmittedhewrongedformerIstanbulPoliceDepartmentIntelligenceBureauChiefAliFuatYılmazerinhisbookbyattributingstatementsmadebyYılmazer’sdeputytoYılmazer.Nomoreinformationasof31December2015.Background:Şenerwastriedandsubsequentlyacquittedin2010forhisbookthatimplicatestheTurkishsecurityforcesinthe2007murderoftheTurkishArmeniannewspapereditor,HrantDink(seeabove).Şenerhaspublishedover12booksbetween1994and2012.Sincehis2010acquittal,hehassincewrittentwootherbooksonrelatedissues:RedFriday-WhoBrokeDink'sPen?AndFetullahGülenandtheGülenCommunityinErgenekonDocuments.TheGülenmovementisanIslamicorganisationthatpromotesinter-faithdialoguewhichhasmanyfollowersinTurkey.ItisthoughtthatŞener'sarrestislinkedtohisresearchintosuggestionsthatthemovementholdsundueinfluenceintheErgenekoninvestigationAwards:Şenerwasawardedthe2011Oxfam/NovibPENFreedomofExpressionawardandalsonamedWorldPressFreedomHerobytheInternationalPressInstitutein2011;2013CPJInternationalPressFreedomAward2015SparkasseLeipzigMediaFoudnation’sPrizefortheFreedomandFutureoftheMedia.HehasalsowonnumerousawardsforhisjournalisminTurkey.Honorarymember:PENTurkeyandDanishPEN.PENActions:RAN10/11Update#2–13/03/2012AhmetŞIK(m): Profession:journalistandwriterDateofbirth:1970Dateofarrest.Arrested7March2011alongsideNedimŞener(seeabove)Dateofrelease:12March2012Detailsofrelease:On12March2012Şener,Şık,MuslukandÇakır(Alsoseebelow.)werefreedpendingtrial.YalçınwasreleasedinDecember2012andalsocontinuesontobetrial.ThepresidingJudgeMehmetEkincicitedthatthetimespentinpre-trialdetentionwasaconsiderationfortheirreleaseandalsothattherehadbeensomechangestothecharges.Detailsoftrial:1)Formallychargedon11March2011onchargesrelatedtotheErgenekoninvestigation.ODATVisanewswebsitedescribedasitsmediawing.Heischargedwith“membershipofanarmedorganisation”underPenalCodeArticle314/2.Histrialbeganon14April2011andwasstillongoingasofmid-2015.HeisbeingtriedjointlywithjournalistNedimŞener(seeabove).On26August2011,itwasannouncedthat14peoplehadbeenindictedinthecase,includingwriterHüseyinSonerYalçınandjournalistsCoşkunMuslukandSaitÇakır.Amongtheevidenceproducedatthetrialaredocumentsrelatingtostatesecurity,saidtohavebeenfoundontheODATVcomputerswhentheywereseized.Thedefendantsclaimthattheydidnotopenorrequestthesefiles.TheevidencewassenttothegovernmentScientificandTechnologicalResearchCouncilofTurkey(TÜBİTAK)thatisresponsibleforresearchoninformationtechnology,amongotherissues.TÜBİTAKconcludedthatthefileshadbeenplacedinthecomputersbyavirus,andthatthere

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wasnoclearevidencethattheyhadbeenopenedorreadbytherecipients.ThiswasconfirmedbyanindependentreportfromaUSdatacompany.DefencelawyersrefertothepublicationofabookinAugust2010byHanefiAvcı,aformerpolicechiefalsoimplicatedinODATVinwhichheclaimedthatmembersoftheGülenmovementwereinvolvedinpoliceactivities.ŞenerandŞıkhadalsowrittenonsimilarissues,leadingthedefendantstoclaimtothatthetrialwasinitiatedbecauseoftheserevelations.AhearinginJune2015postponedthecaseuntil18November2015,orderingafurthertechnicalreportonthecase.Thecasecontinuedin2016;thenexthearingisscheduledforNovember2016.2)On12March2012,chargeswerebroughtbyprosecutorsallegingthatcommentsmadebyŞıkon12March2012asheleftSilivriprisonwere“threatening”tojudgesandprosecutorsanddepictedthemas“targetsforterroristorganisations”.ŞıkwasindictedunderArticles106/2-d,43/1,53,125/1,125/3-aand125/4oftheTurkishPenalCode(LawNo.5237)on3July2012,withtheprosecutorseekingbetween3and7yearsinprison.Thechargesaresaidtobelinkedtothecomment“Thepolice,prosecutorsandjudgeswhoplottedandexecutedthisconspiracywillenterthisprison."Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.3)ŞıkwaschargedwithdefamationagainstformertransportministerBinaliYildiriminhisbooktitledParalelYürüdükBizBuYollarda(WewalkedParalelonthisRoad).ThetrialbeganinMarch2015;on15December2015,Sikwasconvictedofdefamationandsentencedtopayafineof4,000TL.Background:ŞıkisagraduateoftheCommunicationsFacilityDepartmentofJournalists,IstanbulUniversity.ReporterforMilliyet,Cumhuriyet,Evrensel,YeniYüzyıl,andRadikalovertheperiod1991–2005.PolicearesaidtohaveseizedthedraftmanuscriptofImamınOrdusu(Imam’sArmy)byAhmetŞık,aninvestigationintotheallegedaffiliationofpolicetotheGülenmovement.ThebookwassubsequentlypublishedinNovember2011asananti-censorshipdefiancewith125writers,journalistsandacademicsactingasco-authorsandeditorsunderthetitleOOOKitap(OOOBook).Previously,inMarch2011hewasacquittedofchargesofbreachingtheconfidentialitysurroundingtheErgenekontrialinatwovolumebookpublishedin2010,beforehisownarrest,entitledKırkkatır,kırksatır(40mules,40cleavers).ThefirstvolumeisentitledErgenekon’daKimKimdir?(Who’swhoinErgenekon),andthesecondKontrgerillaveErgenekon’uAnlamaKılavuzu(Guidetounderstandingcontra-guerrillaandErgenekon).Hisco-defendantErtugrulMavioluwasalsoacquitted.Awards:AwardedanumberofprizesforhisjournalisminTurkey,includingUNESCO’s2014GuillermoCanoWorldPressFreedomPrize.Honorarymember:PENTurkeyandDanishPEN.PENActions:RAN10/11Update#2–13/03/2012,Update#328/03/12]InadditiontothecasesofAhmetŞıkandNedimŞener(above),threeotherjournalistsandwriters(allm)areontrialintheODA-TVcase.TheyareCoşkunMUSLUKandCahitÇAKIR,Profession:contributorstotheODATVnewswebsiteandHüseyinSonerYALÇIN,Profession:ownerofODATVnewswebsiteandjournalistfortheHürriyetnewspaper,authorof12books.Pleaseseepreviouscaselistsfordetails.TheODA-TVcasescontinuesin2016;thenexthearingisscheduledforNovember2016.Ontrial:OtherDetailsofsomependingfreedomofexpression-relatedtrialsinTurkeyaremonitoredbytheInitiativeforfreedomofExpressionandcanbefoundat:http://www.ctl-tr.net/?dil=enGültekinAVCI(m)(FETO):Profession:columnistforindependentdailyBugünDateofarrest:18September2015Dateofrelease:10June2016Detailsofarrest:ProsecutorschargedAvcıinconnectionwithaseriesofcolumnshewrotein2013and2014forBugüninwhichhereportedlyallegedthattheTurkishNationalIntelligenceOrganisationorMIT,thecountry’sspyagency,hadlinkstoanIranian-backedgroupcalledTawhid-Salam,agroupwhichtheTurkishauthoritiesdeclaredaterroristorganisationin2014.Detailsofrelease:Itwasannouncedon10June2016thatAvcıwasreleased.However,other

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defendantsinthetrialwereremandedincustodyforanAugusttrial.Detailsoftrial:AvcıwasfirstreportedlydetainedinIzmirandthentakentothe2ndPenalCourtofPeaceinIstanbulon20September2015wherehewasofficiallyarrested.AccordingtoreportsthecourtorderedAvcıtobeimprisonedpendingtrialonchargesincluding“attemptingtooverthrowthegovernment”andbeingamemberofaterroristorganisation.Sevenarticlesweresubmittedasevidenceonchargesthathe“relayedtheordersofFethullahGulen(anIslamicthinkerwholivesintheUSA)tomembersoftheGulenistTerrorOrganisation”andthathe“mouldedpublicopinionbywayofthepress”.Accordingtonewsreportsdating2October2015,Avcısubmittedarequesttoappealhisarresttogetherwitharecusalofthejudgewhohadissuedthearrestwarrant.ThisrequestpointedoutthatthejudgeinquestionhadpreviouslyfiledadefamationsuitagainstAvcı,claimingtheBugüncolumnisthadinsultedhiminhis23March2015columntitled“TheyHandMeLists”.AvcıwentontrialatIstanbul’s14thCourtforSeriousCrimesonchargesof“attemptingacoup”,“beingaleaderofaterroristorganisation”and“revealingstatesecretsthatcouldaffectstatesecurityorthestatesdomesticorinternationalinterests”.Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoreportsAvcıwaskeptinasolitarycellandisdeniedwarmmeals.Onhisreleasehestatedthathehadnotbeentreated“asahuman”.Background:AvcıisaformerprosecutorandisalsothelegalrepresentativeforHidayetKaraca(seeaboveunderDetained:investigation).On17December2013,Istanbulpolicecarriedoutearlymorningraidsonseveralhomes,detained52peopleandconfiscatedapproximately$17.5millionincash.Themoneywasallegedlytheproceedsofcorruptionandbribery(intheconstruction,bid-tenderinganddevelopmentsectoroftheeconomy),fraud,money-launderingandgoldsmuggling;14peoplewerearrested,allofwhomhadclosetiestotherulingAKPparty;someofthosesuspectedofwrongdoingincludedErdogan’sownsonandfamilymembersofcabinetministers.Threecabinetministersresigned,andErdoganimmediatelyundertookapurgeoftheprosecutorsandpoliceleadingthecorruptioninvestigation,specificallytargetingindividualsbelievedtobesympathisersofthefaithbasedGülenmovement(alsoknownasHizmetinTurkey)inspiredbyTurkishIslamicscholar-in-exileFethullahGülenwhoheaccusedofforminga‘parallelstructure’aimedatbringingdowntheAKP.ReyhanÇAPAN(m):Profession:editor-in-chiefatÖzgürGündemSentence:oneyearandthreemonthsinprisonDetailsoftrial:Since2012,Çapanhasfaced23separatelawsuitsonchargessuchas‘makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation’anddefamation.HewasfirstchargedinMay2012,inrelationtoaheadline‘RevoltSpeaks’,whichappearedintheMarch2012issueofÖzgürGündem.Thecourtsentencedhimtooneyearand3monthsinprison,optingnottosuspendhissentenceongroundsthathehadnotexpressedanyregretduringthetrial,thusleadingtoalackofpersonalconvictiononthepartofthecourtthathewouldnotcommitthesamecrimeagain.ThesentencewasoverturnedonappealinJune2014,andtheSupremeCourtorderedaretrialbytheIstanbul10thHighCriminalCourtwhichacquittedhim.However,theprosecutorappealedagainstthisdecisiontotheSupremeCourtandthecaseremainsopen.On21May2016,Çapanreceivedanothersentenceofthreeyearsandninemonthsfor‘distributingterrorist’propaganda.Heremainedfreeasof30June2016.[StopPress:Inthewakeofthefailedcoupof15July2016,theauthoritiesarrestedatleast22ÖzgürGündemstaffandwriters,andclosedthepro-Kurdishdailydown.On20September,heappearedincourtinrelationtoanotherchargerelatingtothe10Marcheditionofthepaper;thehearingwasadjourneduntil29December2016].İbrahimÇİÇEK(m),Profession:editorinchiefforAtılımnewspaperBayramNAMAZ(m),Profession:journalistforAtılımnewspaperDateofarrest:10September2006Sentence:Lifeimprisonment(currentlyunderappeal)Detailsoftrial:Thetwojournalistshavebeendetainedsincetheirarrestandwereconvictedof“membershipofanarmedorganisation”(Article314/2oftheAnti-TerrorLaw)and“membershipofaterroristorganisation”(Article5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw)inNovember2013.Theorganisationinquestionisthe

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Marxist-LeninistLiberationParty(MLKP).Bothweredeniedaccesstotheircasefilesuntil13April2007ongroundsthatthecontentwasclassified,withtheirfirstdefencehearingbeingheldexactlytwoyearsaftertheirarrestinSeptember2008.Accordingtotheindictment,theywerearrestedinSeptember2006inthewesternvillageofOcakli,wheretheywereallegedlypreparingtheMLKP’sfourthcongressandwheregunswereallegedlyfound.Thefirsttrialwasmarkedbyclashesbetweensupportersandpolice,duringwhichteargaswasused.Atahearingheldon26October2007attheIstanbul10thHeavyPenalCourt,therewereprotestswhenitwasannouncedthatallthedefendantsinthiscasewouldcontinuetobeheldinpre-trialdetention.Around24May2011lawyersquestionedtheveracityofadocumentsaidtohavebeenseizedduring“OperationGaye”duringwhichthedefendantswerearrested.Theyrequestedareviewoftheevidence.Theyalsopointedoutthatthedefendantshadbeenheldforoversixyearswithoutconclusionoftheirtrial,floutingtheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights.Scufflesbrokeoutatthishearingafteroneofthedefendantsattemptedtomakeaspeechcommemoratingapersonwhohadbeenkilledbythemilitaryin1995.InMay2011,İbrahimÇiçekwasfreedpendingtrialafterfiveyearsbehindbars.However,on24June2012,hewasre-detained.Bothweresentencedon5November2013,alongwithjournalistsSedatŞenoğluandFüsunErdoğan.Namaz,ÇiҫekandErdoğanwerereleasedpendingtheoutcomeoftheirappealinMay2014.Theirappealwasduetoopenon23March2016.PENisseekinganupdate.PENAction:Pressrelease8November2013MuratSevkiÇOBAN(m):Profession:managingeditorforthedailyTarafDetailsoftrial:TheIstanbulChiefPublicProsecutor’sOfficelaunchedaninvestigationagainstMehmetBaransu(seedetainedabove)andÇobaninNovember2013onthegroundsthatthey“revealedconfidentialdocumentsregardingTurkey’snationalsecurityinterests”inthearticle“Gülen’iBitirmeKararı2004’teMGK’deAlındı”(TheDecisiontoRuintheGülenMovementMadeattheNationalSecurityCouncilMeetingin2004),whichwaswrittenbyBaransuandpublishedbyTarafon28November2013.BaransuandÇobanwereofficiallychargedon22May2014followingasix-monthinvestigation.HistrialbeganinJune2015onchargesof“providingdocumentsrelatedtothesecurityofthestate,”“publishinginformationthatmustremainconfidentialduetothestate’ssecurityorpoliticalinterestsindomesticorforeignpolicies”and“publishingadocumentorinformationrelatedtotheactivitiesordutiesoftheNationalIntelligenceOrganization[MİT].”Hefacesapossible52-yearprisontermifconvicted.CananCOŞKUN(f):Profession:journalistfordailynewspaperCumhuriyetDetailsoftrial:Thereporterfacesapotential23-yearprisonsentenceonchargesof“insultingpublicofficialsovertheirduties”afterjudiciaryofficialsreportedlyobjectedtoherarticlethatallegedtheywereabletobuyresidencesfromapublicrealestatecompanyatadiscountedprice.ThejournalistappearedincourtattheIstanbul2ndCriminalCourtofFirstInstanceon12November2015.Eightprosecutorsandajudgewerereportedlylistedamongthevictimsintheindictment.Thecourtadjournedthetrialto15March2016,askingtheprosecutiontofindoutwhethertheallegedmanipulatedsellingofhomestookplace.Thereporteriscurrentlyfreependingcompletionofhertrial.Update:Atrialhearingtookplaceon26May2016;itwasadjourneduntil22September2016.Background:ThejudgesandprosecutorswhoallegedlyboughtdiscountedresidencefromthepublicfirmincludedmembersoftheUnityinJusticePlatform(YBP),whichhadbeensupportedbytheJusticeandDevelopmentParty(AKP)intherecentelectionstotheHighCouncilofJudgesandProsecutors.Thenewsstoryinquestionwaspublishedon19February2015inCumhuriyet.EkremDUMANLI(m)(FETO):Profession:formereditor-in-chiefofZamanandplaywrightDateofarrest:14December2014Dateofrelease:19December2015Detailsofarrest:DumanliwasarrestedalongsidejournalistHidayetKaraca(seeabove)andnineotherson14December2014

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‘onsuspicionofmembershipofanillegalorganisation’.Amongthosearrestedwerehigh-rankingmembersoftheIstanbulpoliceforceaswellasjournalists,screenwriters,producersanddirectorswhohaveworkedfornewspapersandTVstationssaidtobeaffiliatedwiththeGülenmovement.ThearrestscameagainstabackdropofescalatingpoliticaltensionsbetweentherulingpartyinTurkeyandthefollowersofIslamicclericFethullahGülen.Hewasreleasedafterquestioning.Detailsoftrial:1)HewaschargedwithmembershipoftheGulenmovement(knownasFetoinTurkish)whichtheauthoritieshavedesignatedaterroristorganisation.HistrialhadnotbegunbytheendofJune2016.2)AhmetÖzel,alawyerrepresentingErdoğan,lodgedalawsuitagainstDumanlıanIbrahimTurkmen(seebelow)claimingthatanewsarticlepublishedon9January2015andtitled"ErdoğanslamsterroristattacklaunchedbyBokoHarammilitants",intendedtoinsultErdoğan.AtthetimethearticlewaspublishedDumanlıwasthegeneralmanageroftheZamanmediagroup.FollowingÖzel'scriminalcomplaintinMarch2015,theBakırköyChiefPublicProsecutor'sOfficepreparedanindictmentagainstDumanlıandTürkmen,demandinguptofouryearsinjailforeach.ThetrialwasduetostartinDecember2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016PENActions:Pressrelease15December2014SedatERGIN(m):Profession:editor-in-chiefHürriyetnewspaperDetailsoftrial:ErginhasbeenchargedwithinsultingthePresidentRecepTayyipErdoğaninareportbyparaphrasinghis6September2015remarksaboutanattackbytheoutlawedKurdistanWorkers’Party(PKK)inDağlıcaontheIraqiborderthatkilled16Turkishsoldiers.AccordingtoHürriyetDailyNews,theprosecutordemandeduptofiveyearsandfourmonthsinjailforErgin.Thejournalist’sfilehasbeenmergedwithalawsuitopenedintodailyZaman’sformereditor-in-chief,EkremDumanlı(seeabove),onthesamechargesoverthenewspaper’sreportingaboutthesamespeechbyErdoğan.TheindictmentsaidHürriyetandZamanpublished“unreal,offending,andill-intentioned”reportsoverErdoğan’sremarksabouttheDağlıcaincident.Theindictmentalsosaidthereportsshouldnotberegardedwithintherighttofreedomofspeech.ProsecutorshavealsolaunchedaninvestigationintoHürriyet’sowner,DoganMediaGroup,onaccusationsof“terrorismpropaganda”.Update:HeappearedbeforeIstanbul’sBakırköydistrict54thPenalCourtofFirstInstanceforahearingon25March2016;thetrialwasongoingattheendofJune2016.Background:HürriyethasbeensingledoutforcriticismasthegovernmentstrugglestocontrolasurgeinKurdishmilitantviolenceinthesoutheast.Afterthearticle´spublication,on7September,apro-governmentmobattackedHürriyet´sIstanbuloffices,accusingthenewspaperofsympathisingwiththebannedKurdistanWorkersParty(PKK).InOctober,aprominentHürriyetjournalist,AhmetHakan(seebelowunderAttacked),wasbeatenupoutsidehishome.Awards:2016DeutscheWelleFreedomofSpeechAwardİsminazERGÜN(f):Profession:journalistandeditorforETHAnewsagencyDateofarrest:27November2015Dateofrelease:28November2015.Detailsofarrest:Ergünwasreportedlydetainedonchargesof‘spreadingpropagandaforaterroristorganization’bydisseminatingKurdistanWorkers'Party(PKK)propaganda.ErgünwastakenintocustodyattheŞehitTevfikPoliceStation.Detailsofrelease:Shewasreleasedpendingtrial.Detailsoftrial:On12May2016shepleadnotguiltytothechargesagainsther,with16otherjournalists.Hertrialwasduetoresumeon22September2016*YılmazÖZDIL(m):Profession:writerandjournalistforSözcüDetailsoftrial:OntrialfordefamationofformerTransportationMinisterBinaliYıldırımwhofiledacompensationlawsuitof20.000TLagainstYılmazÖzdilandtheKırmızıKediPublishingHouseinthe29thCriminalCourtofFirstInstanceHeclaimedthatÖzdilhadinsultedhiminhis2015bookBeraberYürüttükBizBuYollarda.Thetrialopenedon5March2015andiscontinuing.

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*AliÖZSOY(m):Profession:writerDetailsoftrial:HewaschargedwithdefamingPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğaninhisbookentitled'There'sathief!'.ThetrialopenedinFebruary2015,andthefirsthearingofthecasewasheldon5July2015.Thesecondwason3December2015.HeisalsofacingtrialinacomplaintbythePresident’sson,BilalErdoğan,inrelationtothesamebook.FazılSAY(m):Profession:popularandinternationallyacclaimedpianist,composer,writerandEUCultureAmbassadorSentence:10monthsinprison,suspendedfortwoyearsDetailsoftrial:Accusedofreligiousdefamation.InApril2012,Istanbul’sProsecutor’sOfficelaunchedaninvestigationregardingmessageshepostedonTwitterdeclaringhimselfasanatheistandreferringtoanOmarKhayyampoemthatsuggeststhattheIslamicrepresentationofHeaven,repletewithwineand‘huris’(virgins),isreminiscentofapuborbrothel.SayisaccusedofcontraveningsectionsoneandtwoofArticle216oftheTurkishPenalCode(TCK),byallegedly“instigatingreligioushatredandhostility”and“insultingreligiousvalues”.Thetrialwasinitiatedfollowingacomplaintfromaprivateindividual,notuncommoninsuchcases.Histrialopenedon18October2012atthe19thCriminalCourtinIstanbul.On15April2013,Saywassentencedto10monthsinprison,suspendedforfiveyears,duringwhichtimeheisrequirednottocommitasimilaroffence.On26April2013,the29thCriminalCourtacceptedhislawyers’requesttohavethesuspendedsentenceannulled,andthatthecaseshouldreturntocourtforreconsideration.Thelawyerhadarguedthattheconditionsofthesuspensionwereunclearandthereforedidnotenablehisclienttoknowwhatactionswouldconstituteabreachofthesuspension.On20September2013,theIstanbul19thMagistratesCourtupheldhis10-monthprisonsentence,suspendingitfortwoyears.On9November2013,Say’slawyersappliedtoTurkey’sSupremeCourtofAppealstoappealtheruling.Sayfacedacriminalcomplaintthathehadunfairlyattemptedtoinfluencetheoutcomeofhistrialthroughhismediastatements.Thepublicprosecutorrejectedthiscomplaintafteracriminalinvestigationintothematter,concludingthatSay’sstatementswerewellwithinthescopeofhisrighttodefendhimselfandthathehadmadenoattempttopressureorcoerceauthorities.On27November2014,theChiefProsecutoroftheSupremeCourtofAppealssubmittedanofficialrequestforSaytobeacquittedofreligiousdefamationcharges.Inhissubmission,thechiefprosecutordisputedtheconclusionsreachedbythelowercourtinitsconvictionofSay.InOctober2015,theSupremeCourtruledbyamajorityrulingof4to1thathistweetsshouldberegardedasfreedomofthoughtandopinionandshouldnotbepunished.However,unlessthelowercourtacceptstheSupremeCourtruling,thejudicialprocesscouldcontinue.Awards:2015InternationalSecularismPrize(PrixdelaLaïcité)PENActions:DayoftheImprisonedWriterAction2013[StopPress:Saywasfinallyacquittedon7September2016]İbrahimTÜRKMEN(m):Profession:responsibleeditorofToday’sZamanDetailsoftrial:AhmetÖzel,alawyerrepresentingErdoğan,lodgedalawsuitclaimingthatanewsarticlepublishedon9January2015andtitled"ErdoğanslamsterroristattacklaunchedbyBokoHarammilitants",intendedtoinsultErdoğan.AtthetimethearticlewaspublishedDumanlıwasthegeneralmanageroftheZamanmediagroup.FollowingÖzel'scriminalcomplaintinMarch2015,theBakırköyChiefPublicProsecutor'sOfficepreparedanindictmentagainstTürkmenandEkremDumanlı(seeabove),demandinguptofouryearsinjailforeach.ThetrialwasduetostartinDecember2015,nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.İdrisYILMAZ(m):Profession:journalistwithJINHADateofarrest:14November2015Dateofrelease:21January2016Detailsofarrest:YilmazwasarrestedwhilefollowingupnewsduringarmedconflictsinTendürekneighbourhoodofErcişdistrictofVanprovincealongsideVildanAtmaca(seeBriefDetentionbelow)andwaschargedof“defamingthePresidentthroughsocialmedia”and

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“propagandisingfortheterroristorganization”.AccordingtoYılmaz'spolicetestimony,thejournalistsaidheandAtmacawereamongagroupofreporterswhohadbeenturnedawayfromalocalhospitalbypoliceaftertryingtoinvestigateclaimsthatresidentshadbeeninjuredbyTurkishsoldiers.Yılmaz'stestimonysaysthatlaterthatdayheandAtmacawereatacaféwithjournalistsfromothernewsoutletswhenplain-clothedpoliceapproachedandsaidtheyweredetainingYılmazfor"producingbiasednews."SeveraljournalistswhostoodupforYılmazwerearrestedalongsidehimbut,withtheexceptionofAtmaca,theotherswerereleasedshortlyafterwards,accordingtoreports.Detailsofrelease:YilmazwasreleasedonbailinJanuary2016Detailsoftrial:1)AccordingtoCPJ,Yılmazwasaccusedofcreatingterrorismpropagandaandrunningapro-PKKFacebookpagecalledAjansErciş.ThereporterstatedinpolicetestimonythathehadnolinkstotheFacebookpage.YılmazwasquestionedaboutFacebookpostsheallegedlymadeonhispersonalaccountthatauthoritiessaidwerepro-PKK,accordingtothedocuments.Thereporterdeniedthatthepostswereterroristpropaganda.YılmazwasalsoaccusedofinsultingthepresidentthroughacartoonpostedtohispersonalFacebookpagethatshowedPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğandefecatingonamapofTurkey,accordingtothedocuments.IntestimonybeforetheErcişChiefProsecutor'sOfficeonFriday,thejournalistsaidhedidnotacceptanyoftheaccusationsmadeagainsthimandsaidhedidnotthinkthefigurefeaturedinthecartoonlookedlikethepresident.Histrialwasscheduledtocommenceon15February2016,buttherehasbeennofurthernews.2)Heisalsoamongagroupof9peopleallegedtohavedefamedPresidentErdoganinastatementmadeon11October2015condeminingaterroristbombinginAnkara.Thattrialbeganon24April2016andwasduetocontinueon5October2016.Briefdetention*UğurAKGÜL(m):Profession:reporterforDİHADateofarrest:12April2016Dateofrelease:14April2016.Detailsofarrest:Journalistwasarrestedbypoliceinearly-morningraidsonhishouse,withreportsemergingatthetimethathehadbeenbeaten.AfterconcernsaboutthesafetyoftheNusaybincourthouse,hewasinterrogatedthenextdayinamakeshiftcourthouseonthetopfloorofahospital.DIHAreportedthatthepolicecitedasevidencehisjournalisticworkaswellaspoststosocialmedia.Releasedunderjudicialcontrolaftergivingastatementrelatingtochargesof‘makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation’.*NuriAkman(m):Profession:DİHAreporter.Dateofarrest:2February2016Dateofrelease:18July2016Detailsofrelease:ArrestedinMalatya.Chargedwith'membershiptoaterrororganisation'duetohisreportingandsocialmediasharingfromKobane.HeldinMalatyaETypePrisonsinceFebruaryuptohisreleaseinthefirsthearinginJuly. *NazımDAŞTAN(m):Profession:correspondentforDİHADateofarrest:10February2016DateofRelease:23June2016Detailsofarrest:NazımDaştanwasarrestedashewasonhiswayhomeinAntepprovince.Itwasreportedthatheusedhisrighttoremainsilentatthepolicestation,beforebeingsenttoAntepHTypePrison.ItwasreportedthathewasarrestedduetohispostsonFacebook,althoughtwodaysbeforehisarresthehadrecordedfootageofISISfighterswithTSK(TurkishMilitaryForces)soldiersalongtheborderlinebetweenTurkeyandSyria.Detailsofrelease:Afterthefirsthearingofhistrialon23June2016,Daştanwasreleasedpendingtheconclusionofhistrial.Hehadbeenimprisonedforfourmonthsawaitingthebeginningofhistrial.Detailsoftrial:NazımDaştanwaschargedwith“propagandisingforaterroristorganisation”bytheCriminalCourtofPeace.Heimmediatelyappealedagainstthecharges,claiminghissocialmediasharingwasinlinewithhisfreedomof

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expression,butthiswasrejected.HewasreleasedfourmonthslaterafterthefirstsessionbeforetheAntep2ndHighCriminalCourtbutisbelievedtoremainontrial.*BilalGÜNDEM(m):Profession:reporterforDİHAnewsagency.Dateofarrest:24April2016Dateofrelease:30June2016GündemwastakenintocustodyashewasreturningfromgatheringnewsinBatmanandtakentoMardinonthesameday.FollowinghisquestioningattheAnti-TerrorBureau(TEM),hewasreferredtoNusaybinPublicProsecution.Detailsoftrial:Hewasarrestedbythecourtonchargesof“beingamemberofan[illegal]organization”and“propagandaforaterrororganization”on24April.IntheindictmentpreparedbyNusaybinPublicProsecutor’soffice,Güldem’svisitstotheneighborhoodswhereditchesandbarricadeswerebuiltandinterviewswithlocalsandYPS-YPSJINguerillasweredeemedas“[illegal]organizationalactivity”.Onepieceofevidencewashis“public”sharingofhisarticleandimagesonFacebook.

ZekiKARAKUŞ(m):Profession:Ownerofthepro-KurdishnewswebsiteNusaybinHaberDateofarrest:1December2015Dateofrelease:releasedonprobationon1August2016Detailsofarrest:Karakuş'slawyerreportedthatthejournalistwassummonedtoapolicestationintheNusaybindistrictofMardinprovinceinSoutheasternTurkey.WhenKarakuşarrived,authoritiesbroughtthejournalistbeforeacourtonaccusationsof‘makingpropagandaforaterroristorganization’throughthemedia.Placeofdetention:MardinETypeclosedprison.*AhmetNESIN(m),profession:journalistandwriter*ErolÖNDEROGLU(m),profession:editorofBianet,TurkeyrepresentativeforReportersWithoutBorders(RSF)Dateofarrest:20June2016Detailsofarrest:AspartofacampaignlaunchedonWorldPressFreedomDay2016,thetwowritersweretemporaryeditors-in-chiefforthe(pro-Kurdish)newspaperÖzgürGündem.Önderoğluhadbeentheeditor-in-chiefon18MayandNesinon7June.On20June2016theyweredetainedalongsideSebnemKorurFincancı,theheadoftheHumanRightsAsociation,onchargesof‘terroristpropaganda’aftertheygavetestimonytotheProsecutorforTerrorandOrganisedCrimesthattheyparticipatedintheEditor-in-chiefcampaign.DateofRelease:30June2016forÖnderoğluand1July2016forAhmetNesin.Detailsoftrial:AccordingtoRSF,ÖnderogluisbeingprosecutedonthebasisofthreearticlespublishedbyÖzgürGündemon18MayaboutpowerstrugglesinthevarioussecurityforcesandabouttheongoingoperationsagainsttheKurdistanWorkersParty(PKK).On22June2016,prosecutorsissuedindictmentsagainstallthree,accusingthemof‘openlyprovoking[thepeople]tocommitcrimes’,‘praisingacrimeandacriminal’and‘makingpropagandafora[terrorist]organisation’.Theyallfacethemaximumpenaltyof14yearsandsixmonthsiffoundguilty.Thetrialissettocontinueon8November2016.Background:Thecampaignlaunchedon3May2016forWorldPressFreedomDay,andinvolved44writersandhumanrightsactivistsdemonstratingsolidaritywiththenewspaperbyvolunteeringtobeeditor-in-chiefforonedayeach.Asof21June2016,37ofthe44participatinghavehadcriminalinvestigationsopenedagainstthem.Background:ÖzgürGündemhasfrequentlybeenunderpressurefromtheTurkishauthorities;itspublicationwasbannedbetween1994and2011,andmanyofitsreportershavebeenarrestedovertheyearsonchargesofsupportforthePKK.OtherswereheldforyearsaspartofaninvestigationintotheKomaCivakênKurdistan(GroupofCommunitiesinKurdistan)(KCK)anallegedumbrellaorganisationforgroupswithlinkstothebannedKurdistanWorkersParty(PKK).AccordingtoBianet,some80casesarecurrentlypendingagainstÖzgürGündem.SolidarityactionsofthisnaturehavealonghistoryinTurkeystemmingbackto1995whenprominentwriterYasarKemalwascalledtotheStateSecurityCourt(DGM)tomakeastatementaboutanarticlepublishedintheGermanweeklyDerSpiegel.Protestsagainsthisprosecutionculminatedin1080academicswhopublishedabookentitled‘FreedomofThought’whichresultedintheirownprosecution.PENInternational’sWritersinPrisonCommitteecollectedsignaturesofsupporttothesepersecuted

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academicsandaftertheprosecutorrefusedtoopenasimilarcaseagainstthePENsignatories,theCommitteeorganisedavisitof19writersfrom12countriestoIstanbul.*RojdaOĞUZ(f):Profession:JINHAreporter.DateofArrest:9January2016DateofRelease:28March2016Detailsofarrest:OğuzwastakenintocustodyinthepoliceraidconductedonJanuary5intheVanYüzüncüYılMelikşahCreditandDormitoriesInstitutionDormwithanother17individuals.Chargedwith“beingamemberoftheterroristorganization”,shewassenttoVanM-typeClosedPrisonDetailsofrelease:Followinganobjectionsubmittedbyherlawyer,thecourtruledforherreleaseaftertwomonthsofpre-trialdetention.*NedimORUÇ(m):Profession:reporterforDIHADateofarrest:6January2016Dateofrelease:10June2016Detailsofarrest:ItwasreportedthatNedimOruçwasarrestedinthecityofŞırnakon6January2016onchargesof“makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation”.HeisalsoaccusedofbeingassociatedwiththebannedKurdistanWorkersParty(PKK).Hedeniesbothcharges.Localpolicearrestedhimashevisitedarelative’shouseinthecity.Accordingtoeyewitnessaccountsinlocalpress,hewasarrestedinapoliceoperationinwhichpolicewentdoor-to-door,arrestingpeopleonchargesofbeingKurdishrebelsorbeingsympathetictotherebels.Policeconfiscatedhislaptop,cameraandreportingnotes.Asourceallegedlyclosetotheinvestigationreportedlysaidthatinhistestimonytothepolice,OruçsaidthathewasinŞırnaktoreportonclashesbetweenTurkishsecurityforcesandKurdishseparatists,andthatfilmedlocalresidentsdiggingtrenchestostopauthoritiesaccessingthearea.HewasheldatŞırnakPrisonforfivemonths’pre-trialdetention,butwasreleasedonbailof5,000TurkishLiras(about$1700)on10June2016byacourtinthetownofCizre.Thecourtbannedhimfromforeigntravel.*HayriTUNÇ(m):Profession:journalistandwriterforjiyan.orgSentence:twoyearsinprisonDateofarrest:2February2016Dateofrelease:11March2016Detailsofarrest:HayriTunçwasreportedlyarrestedon2February2016andbroughtbeforeacourtandchargedthenextdayDetailsofrelease:releasedpendingtrialbythe14thCriminalCourtandremainsfreependinghisappealDetailsoftrial:InJuneTunçwasreportedlysentencedontotwoyearsinprisonfor“propagandisingonbehalfofaterroristorganisation”withhissocialmediaposts.ItwasreportedthatTunçwasinitiallysentencedtooneyearinprisononchargesof“terroristpropaganda”,butthiswasincreasedtwice;thefirsttimewasto18monthsaftercitingthatthecrimewascommittedonsocialmedia,andthenonceagaintotwoyearsaftercitingthatitwasa“chaincrime”.HecurrentlyremainsfreependingaSupremeCourtofAppealsruling.Otherinformation:TunçwaspreviouslyarrestedinOctober2015andquestionedabouthisarticlesonjiyan.orgaswellashissocialmediaposts.Hewasreleasedaftertwodays,butjiyan.orgwasbannedbytheTurkishgovernmentandhistwitteraccountwasrequestedtobewithheldbythePrimeMinister’sSecurityOffice.*MehmetHakkıYILMAZ(m):Profession:DİHAreporter.Dateofarrest:1May2016.Dateofrelease:14July2016Detailsofarrest:YılmazwasapprehendedcoveringtheISISattackonAntepPoliceDepartment.Hewasaccusedof“membershipofaterroristorganization.Histrialwasheardbythe2ndAntepCriminalCourtafter2½monthsofpre-trialdetention.Thecourtpostponedthehearingtoafuturedateafterdecidingonhisreleaseinthefirsthearing.Attacked*AhmedAbdAL-QADER(m)(Syriannational):

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Profession:founderofSyriannewsoutletEyeontheHomeland,journalist,formermemberofRaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilentlyDateofattack:(1)9March2016(2)13June2016Detailsofattack:Therehavebeentwoattacksonal-QaderinthesoutheasternTurkishcityofUrfain2016(1)Twomenambushedal-Qaderashewasreturninghome,justoutsideofhisbuilding’sentrance.Oneofthemenattemptedtograbhimasheenteredhisbuilding,butheescapedwithonlyhisshirtbeingrippedintheprocess.Heescapedwithonlyminorinjuriesandthetwomenfled.HebelievesthatthemenwerefromthegroupcallingitselfIslamicState(IS),andmayhavebeentryingtokillhimastheydidwithhisbrother.(2)Twogunmenridingamotorbikeshotal-QaderthreetimesinthesoutheasterntownofUrfaon13June2016.ITwasreportedthatthegunmenusedsilencersandthattheyescaped.Itwasreportedthathesurvivedtheattackandalthoughhospitalisedwasinastablecondition.TheISnewsagency,Amaq,claimedthatthegrouphadcarriedouttheattack.Background:Hisbrother,Ibrahim,andanotheractivist,FaresHamadi,werekilledinUrfain2015byISoperatives,localmediareported.*CanDündar(m):Profession:Journalist,thetheneditor-in-chiefofCumhuriyetDaily.Dayofattack:6May2016Detailsofattack:CanDündarwasleavingtheIstanbulÇağlayanCourthouseforanintermissionofhistrialwherehewasbeingaccusedofpublishingsecretstatedocumentsandtryingtooverthrowthegovernment,when,attackerMuratŞahinapproachedhimwithagunandfiredseveralshotsinquicksuccessionatDündarwhilstshouting“traitor”.HewasneutralisedbyDündar’swife,DilekDündarandaCHPMPwhograbbedhimfromhisneck.DündarwasunharmedintheattackalthoughNTVtelevisionreporterYağızŞenkalwaswoundedintheleg.AccusingtheTurkishpresident,RecepTayyipErdoğan,andthepro-governmentmediaofwhippingupaclimateofhatredagainsthim,Dündarcommentedontheattacksaying“Weknowverywellwhoshowedmeasatarget.Thisistheresultofprovocation.Ifyouturnsomeoneintosomuchofatarget,thisiswhathappens.”On21October2016,shooterMuratŞahin,whowasjailedfollowingtheattack,wasreleasedpendingtrialbyanIstanbulcourt.Background:CanDündarwasbeingtriedregardingcoverageofTurkishIntelligence(MIT)armsshipmentstoIslamistrebelsintoSyriainCumhuriyetDaily.Intheoutcomeofthetrial,Dündarwasaquittedonchargesoftryingtooverthrowthegovernment,butconvictedofpublishingsecretstatedocumentsandsentencedtofiveyearsand10monthsinprison.Harassed*RaziHANIKLIGIL:Profession:NewYorkandUNcorrespondentforHürriyetDateofharassment:20June2016Detailsofharassment:ItwasreportedthatRaziHanikligilwasbrieflydetaineduponarrivalatAtatürkairport.Hanikligilarrivedataround8.40pmfollowingaholidayinPariswithhisfamily,andwasdetainedashewaspassingthroughpassportcontrol.ItwasreportedbyHürriyetthatanarrestwarrantforhimhadbeenissuedbyalocalcourtinAnkaraoverhissocialmediapostsfollowingacomplaintbytheheadoftheUnionofChambersandCommodityExchangesofTurkey,buttheprosecutor’sofficehaddecidednottoprosecutehim.Hewaslaterreleasedafterhetestifiedtoaprosecutor.ItwasreportedbyHürriyetthatthesocialmediapostshadnothingtodowiththemandhadbeensharedbysomeoneelse;Inthecomplaintpetitionitwasstatedthattheperson“mightbeRaziHanikligil”,causingthearrestwarranttobeissuedforhim,inaprocessthattheysaidwas“unethicalandwrongful”.Hewasheldforalmost14hoursbeforebeingreleased.Sentenced*MuratVERIM:

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Profession:reporterforDIHA,pressandPRworkerforaTurkishMunicipalityDateofarrest:10January2016Dateofrelease:Unknown,butbelievedtobewithindaysofarrestDetailsofarrest:MuratVerimwasarrestedinconnectionwithanarticlehewrotearguingforgreaterlocalautonomy.Hewasquestionedbutlaterreleased.Twoothermenwerearrestedwithhim.Detailsoftrial:(1)On10June2016,theCourtforSeriousCrimesinMidyatsentencedVerimtosixyearsinprison,afterhewaschargedafterasinglehearingwith“committingacrimeonbehalfofaterroristorganisationwithoutbeingamember”,atthefirsthearingofhistrial.VerimandhislawyersannouncedthattheywouldappealthedecisionattheSupremeCout.TheCommitteetoProtectJournalistssaidthathisconvictionisbecauseofanarticlehewroteinamunicipalnewsletterarguingforgreaterlocalautonomy.(2)On30June2016,hewassentencedtoafurtherthreeyearsinprisonafterconvictionof‘makingpropagandaonbehalfofaterroristorganisation’.Heiscurrentlyfreependingappealagainstbothconvictionsandsentences.Otherinformation:VerimlivesinKerboran(Dargeçit),whichhasalargeKurdishmajoritypopulation.Dateofsentencing:30June2016,sentencedtothreeyearsinjailReleased

DenizBABIR(m):Profession:journalistwiththeKurdish-languagedailyAzadiyaWelatDateofarrest:15December2015Detailsofarrest:BabirwasarrestedintheSurdistrictofDiyarbakırwhilereportingonclashesbetweenTurkishsecurityforcesandthePatrioticRevolutionaryYouthMovement(YDG-H),abranchofthePKK,localpressreported.Fourotherjournalists-FeritDereandElifcanAlkanofthepro-KurdishdailyAzadiyaWelat,andPınarSağnaçKalkanandSavaşAslanwereofthepro-KurdishpoliticalmagazineÖzgürHalk(FreePeople)-werearrestedalongsideBabirandreleased,reportssaid.Accordingtothepro-KurdishDicleNewsAgency,Deresaidpolicequestionedallfourabouttheirreportingandconfiscatedtheircameras,notes,andvoicerecorders.Theequipmentwasnotreturned,hesaid.Currentplaceofdetention:BabirwasbeingheldinDiyarbakırDTypeprison.DetailsofTrial:Areviewofcourtfilesshowedthathewasplacedunderpre-trialdetentiononaccusationsofbeingamemberofthePKK,whichisbannedinTurkey.Thejournalist'slawyer,ResulTamurreportedthatBabirdeniedbeingpartofthePKKbutadmittedtoasecondchargeofcarryingfalseidentification.AccordingtoTamur,policequestionedthejournalistabouthisworkandhiscoverageoftheimposedcurfewinDiyarbakır’sSurarea.Dateofrelease:Hewasreleasedonthe13thofFebruary2016.MustafaBALBAY(m)(Ergenekon):Profession:writerandcolumnistforCumhuriyetandMPSentence:34yearsandeightmonthsinprisonDateofarrest:earlyJuly2008Dateofrelease:releasedfromprisonin2013,butconvictionoverturnedon21April2016Detailsofarrest:ArrestedaspartofaseriesofarrestsofmembersofthenationalistgroupErgenekon.Releasedtostandtrialbutwasrearrestedon7March2009.Dateofrelease:9December2013DetailsofRelease:Balbaywasreleasedon9December2013aftertheConstitutionalCourtruledthathislengthypre-trialdetentionviolatedhisrightsasanMP.TheSupremeCourtofAppealoverturnedhisconvictionandsentenceinApril2016.Detailsoftrial:Trialopenedon21July2009.Hewasaccusedofmembershipofaterroristorganisation;attemptingtooverthrowthegovernment;attemptingtoprovokeanarmeduprising;unlawfullyobtaining,usinganddestroyingdocumentsconcerningstatesecurity;disseminatingclassifiedinformation.Specifically,heisaccusedoftakingpartinsecretmeetingswhereleadingfigures,includinggenerals,discussedplansforacoup.EvidenceagainstBalbayarenotesthathesayshetookaspartofhisjournalisticactivitiesduringmeetingswithvariousfigureswhoweresubsequentlyalsoarrestedintheErgenekontrial.Atahearingon19November2009,Balbaymadeastatementinwhichhedeniedchargesofincitinganarmeduprising.Hetoldthecourtthatrandomnoteshadbeenrearrangedbytheprosecutioninwaythattheyhadnotbeenwrittendown,givendates(hesayshedoesnotdatehisnotes),andtoformadiarythatwouldthenincriminatehimandserveto

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strengthentheclaimthatacoupwasbeingstaged.Hestatedthathedoesnotbelievethatthegovernmentcanbeoverthrowninacoup,andthathewasactingonlyasajournalist“witnessoftheeraheorsheislivingin”.Hewassentencedon5August2013to34yearsandeightmonthsinprisonafterconvictionof“attemptingtooverthrowthegovernmentbyforceandviolence”and“unlawfullyobtainingdocumentsconcerninggovernmentsecurity”.FollowingthereleaseofareasonedverdictinApril2014,Balbay’scasewassentforreviewbytheSupremeCourtofAppeals.Honorarymember:PENTurkey.PENActions:RAN65/11;raisedinmeetingwithPresidentofTurkeyinNovember2012,pressreleases8August2013and10December2013.[StopPress:theSupremeCourtoverturnedallconvictionsintheErgenekoncaseon21April2016,citingalackofevidencethatanyconspiracyhadexisted]Atleast14otherjournalistsandwriterssentencedunderthescopeoftheErgenekontrialwhowerefreedon5August2013hadtheirverdictsquashedbytheSupremeCourtofAppealinApril2016.Fordetailsoftheindividuals,pleaserefertopreviouscaselists.

BeritanCANÖZER(f):Profession:reporterwiththewomen’snewsagencyJİNHADateofarrest:16December2015.Dateofrelease:29March2016Detailsofarrest:CanözerwasarrestedbyplainclothespoliceofficerswhilecoveringaprotestoverthestatemilitarycampaignagainstthePKK'syouthwing,knownasthe'PatrioticRevolutionaryYouthMovement'(YDG-H),inthesoutheasterncityofDiyarbakır.Detailsoftrial:Shewaschargedwithaidingaterroristorganizationwhichthejournalistdenied,localpressreports.Threedayslater,aregionalcourtorderedhertobeheldinpre-trialdetentiononaccusationsof"knowinglyandwillinglyaidingaterroristorganization,"newsreportssaid.Shewasreportedlyreleasedon29Marchafterherfirsthearing,withthenexthearingmeanttotakeplaceon10May2016,beforethe4thDiyarbakirCriminalCourt.Atthissecondhearingshewassentencedtooneyearandthreemonths’imprisonmentfor‘makingpropaganda’butwasacquittedofmembershipofaterroristorganisation.Thecourtdeferredannouncementoftheverdictandsentencedhertofiveyears’supervisedrelease.CanDÜNDAR(m),Profession:formereditorofCumhuriyetandisalsoawriter,anddocumentaryfilmmaker,andmemberofPENTurkeyDateofbirth:16June1961Dateofarrest:26November2015Detailsofarrest:On26November2015theTurkishauthoritiesdetainedDündarandhisAnkarabureauchiefErdemGülonterrorismandespionagechargesinrelationtoanewsstoryinJune2015.Detailsoftrial:(1)InJune2015PresidentErdoğanfiledacriminalcomplaintagainstDündaroveranewsstory,allegingespionageanddemandinganaggravatedlifesentence.ThecomplaintaccusedDündaroftryingtomanipulatejusticewithfabricatedmaterialandviolatingconfidentialitybypublishingthestory.Dündar’spaperCumhuriyethadpublishedphotosofTurkishintelligenceagency’strucksallegedlycarryingarmstoSyria.2)DündarisalsoontrialforcriminaldefamationunderArticle125oftheTurkishPenalCode.HewaschargedfollowinganofficialcomplaintbyTurkishPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğanandhissonBilalErdoğanon7August2014.ThechargerelatestotwoarticleshewroteinJuly2014,inwhichhecriticisedthehandlingofamajorinvestigationintoallegedgovernmentcorruptioninTurkeyanddiscussedtheramificationsofthenPrimeMinisterRecepTayyipErdoğan’spresidentialcandidacy.Dündarfacesuptofourandahalfyearsinprisoniffoundguilty.ErdoğanhaspreviouslyattemptedtohaveDündarchargedwithdefamationforanarticlehewroteinApril2014.ThepublicprosecutorquestionedDündaron6May2014followingErdoğan’scomplaint,butdecidedagainstpursuingchargesagainsthim.(3)InAugust2015thePublicProsecutorofIstanbuldraftedanindictmentagainst18journalistsfromninenewspapersfor“propagandainfavourofaterroristorganisation”inrelationtothe“EditorsWatch”solidarityactionwithÖzgürGündemdaily,seekingprisontermsofbetween1.5to7.5yearsinprison.Dündarisamongthoseindicted.DateofRelease:26February2016DetailsofRelease:DündarandGülwerereleasedon26February2016bya

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SupremeCourtdecisionthattheirrightsandthatofthepresshavebeenviolated.FollowingPresidentErdoğan’scritismoftheSupremecourtcommenting“hewon’tabidebytheruling”,thelowercourtsentencedDündarandGülto5yearsinprisonforrevealingstatesecrets.ThedecisionisonappealwhilstDündarandGülremainfree.Otherinformation:WhileimprisonedDündarwrotealettertoTheWashingtonPostentitledWhat´sfreedomworth?Lessthanthreebillioneurosapparently,whereinhecriticisedEurope’sdealingswithTurkeywithregardstomanagingtherefugeecrisis.PENActions:RAN08/14;04/15andupdates,statement3June2015,pressrelease23December2015andcalltoaction.MentionedinPEN’s2015report:Surveillance,SecrecyandSelf-Censorship:NewDigitalFreedomChallengesInTurkeyUfukERHAN(m):Profession:journalistwithGelecekdailynewspaperDateofarrest:26May2015Dateofrelease:14July2015Detailsofarrest:PoliceraidedtheofficeofGeleceknewspaperandarrestedUfukErhanalongsidefellowreportersEzgiAydın,OnurÖncü,İmgeTabakçıandSeraYelözeraswellasBirgüncorrespondentOnurÖncüwhowasalsopresent(seebelowunderBriefDetention).Detailsofrelease:AllbutErhanwerereleasedseveraldayslater.Update:PENhasnowlearnedthatErhanwasreleasedon14July2015.Anappealmadeagainstthechargeswasaccepted.Placeofdetention:MaltepeCezaeviPrisoninİstanbul.ErdemGÜL(m),Profession:GulistheCumhuriyetDailyAnkaraBureauChiefDateofBirth:1967(Gül)Dateofarrest:26November2015Detailsofarrest:On26November2015theTurkishauthoritiesdetainedCanDündar,thetheneditor-in-chiefofCumhuriyetDailyandhisAnkarabureauchiefErdemGülonterrorismandespionagechargesinrelationtoanewsstoryinJune2015.Detailsoftrial:InJune2015PresidentErdoğanfiledacriminalcomplaintagainstDündaroveranewsstory,allegingespionageanddemandinganaggravatedlifesentence.ThecomplaintaccusedDündaroftryingtomanipulatejusticewithfabricatedmaterialandviolatingconfidentialitybypublishingthestory.Dündar’spaperCumhuriyethadpublishedphotosofTurkishintelligenceagency’strucksallegedlycarryingarmstoSyria.DateofRelease:26February2016DetailsofRelease:DündarandGülwerereleasedon26February2016byaSupremeCourtdecisionthattheirrightsandthatofthepresshavebeenviolated.FollowingPresidentErdoğan’scritismoftheSupremecourtcommenting“hewon’tabidebytheruling”,thelowercourtsentencedDündarandGülto5yearsinprisonforrevealingstatesecrets.ThedecisionisonappealwhilstDündarandGülremainfree.PENActions:RAN08/14;04/15andupdates,statement3June2015,pressrelease23December2015andcalltoaction.MentionedinPEN’s2015report:Surveillance,SecrecyandSelf-Censorship:NewDigitalFreedomChallengesInTurkeyMohammedIsmaelRASOOL(m):Profession:FixerandtranslatorDateofarrest:27August2015DateofRelease:5January2016Detailsofarrest:RasoolwasarrestedinDiyarbakiralongwithhisBritishcolleaguesJakeHanrahanandPhilipPendlebury.Thethreejournalistsreportedlyremainedinpolicecustodyinforthreedaysbeforebeingplacedinpre-trialdetentiononaterrorismchargeon31August2015.On3September2015thetwoBritishjournalistswerereleasedfollowingamediaflurryandworldwideattention.DetailsofRelease:On5January2016itwasreportedthatRasoolhasbeenreleasedonbailafter131daysindetention,butthathewasstillfacingterrorchargesDetailsoftrial:Accordingtoreportstheywereinitiallyaccusedoffilmingwithoutaccreditation,beforebeingchargedunderarticle220ofthecriminalcodewhichpenalises“crimescommittedinaterroristorganisation’sname”inthesamewayasmembershipofaterroristorganisation.PENAction:statement3September2015;7Septemberand30OctoberopenletterstoPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğan;mentionedinNovemberreportentitledSurveillance,SecrecyAndSelf-Censorship:NewDigitalFreedomChallengesInTurkey.Caseclosed

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DuetothenumberofcasesofpersecutedwritersinTurkey,PENInternationalisclosingcasesofwritersundersuspendedsentenceorreleasedunderthejudicialreformpackagependingappeal.Theywillbereopenedshouldthewritersbereturnedtoprisoninthefuture.DoğanAKHANLI(m)(Germannational)Profession:WriterandhumanrightsactivistDateofbirth:1957Dateofarrest:10August2010Dateofrelease:8December2010Detailsoftrial:Acquittedonchargesof“robbery”and“membershipofarmedorganisation”bythedomesticcourtin2011,yettheSupremeCourtreversedthisdecisioninFebruary2013.Akhanlı,whopermanentlylivesinGermanyasaGermancitizenwasarrestedin2010whenhewasvisitingTurkey.Reportedly,Akhanlıwasamongthegroupwhorobbedanexchangeofficein1989.Whenfleeing,therobbersleftabagintheoffice,inwhichsomephotosanddocumentswerefound.In1992,theownerofthedocumentswasidentifiedandhetoldpolicethatHamzaKopanhadorganisedtherobbery.HamzaKopanwasclaimedtohavebeenleadingaleft-wingorganisationofwhichAkhanlıwasamember.AsKopanknewthatAkhanlıwasinGermanyandwouldnotthereforebearrested,hegavehisnametothepolice.Hopingtoclearhisname,AkhanlitookariskandcametoTurkeytoseehisfamily,butwasarrested.Akhanlıwasacquittedon12October2011bythe11thHighCriminalCourtofIstanbul.However,theSupremeCourtoverturnedthisverdictanddemandedlifeimprisonment,statingthat“thesuspect`smembershipofaleft-wingorganisationatthetimeofthecrime”and“theArticle146/1ofTurkishPenalCode”[attemptingtooverthrowtheconstitutionalorderbyforce]weretobeargued.FollowingtheabolitionofSpecialCourts,thecasewasdelegatedtothe3thHighCriminalCourtofIstanbul.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016;caseclosedasinGermany.Background:HehadtofleetoGermanyin1991becauseofhispoliticalpastasamemberofTDKP(RevolutionaryCommunistPartyofTurkey)whenhewasastudentatUniversity.Hewasheldinamilitaryprisonbetween1985and1987.TurkeydeprivedhimofTurkishcitizenshipin1998.Akhanlıgreatlycontributestoprojectsandcampaignsdealingwithviolenceinhistoryandhumanrights.HisnovelMadonna`ninSonHayali(LastFantasyofMadonna)wasacclaimedbycriticsamongthe10bestnovelsinTurkishin2005.AkhanlıisalsoknownforhiseffortstoclarifythecircumstancesofthemurderofHrantDink(seeabove:killed-Impunity)andtokeephismemoryalive.FatihÖzgürAYDIN(m),Profession:EditorforArtıİvmeGamzeKEŞKEK(f),Profession:EditorforTavırmagazineDateofarrest:Arrestedbetween17and21January2013Detailsofarrest:AydınandKeşkekwerearrestedalongsideYürüyüşandTavırjournalistsDoğanKarataşın,YelizKılıçandVeyselŞahinaspartofaninvestigationintotheRevolutionaryPeople’sLiberationParty–ArmedFront(DHKP-C).Dateanddetailsofrelease:FatihÖzgürAydınwasreleasedalongwithDoğanKarataşın,VeyselŞahinandYelizKılıçinJanuary2014.Thelatterthreewerereleasedwithoutcharge.GamzeKeşkekwasreleasedon11June2014.Detailsoftrial:On5November2013,Aydınwaschargedwithmembershipofanarmedorganisation(Article314/2oftheTurkishPenalCode);praisingoffencesoroffenders(Article215oftheTurkishPenalCode);obstructingapublicofficialfromcarryingouttheirduty(Article265oftheTurkishPenalCode);andviolatingtheLawonMeetingsandDemonstrations(Law2911).Hefacesover50yearsinprisoniffoundguilty.Keşkekisalsobeingtried,althoughthechargesagainstherareunclear.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.İsmailBEŞİKÇİ(m):Profession:sociologistandauthorSentence:oneyearandthreemonths.Detailsoftrial:AccusedinJune2010of“makingpropagandaforthePKK”underanti-terrorlegislationforanarticlepublishedintheContemporaryLawyer’sAssociationperiodical.ZeycanBalcıŞimşek,editoroftheperiodical,wasaccusedalongsideBeşikçi.Thearticle’stitleis‘RighttoSelfDeterminationandtheKurds’.BothfirstappearedattheIstanbulHighCriminalCourton28July2010atatrialattendedbyhundredsof

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supporters.Sentencesofuptosevenandahalfyearseachweresuggested.InthecourtBeşikçistatedthatifTurkeywishedtogaininfluenceintheBalkansandCaucusus,itwouldfirsthavetodealwiththeKurdishproblem,whichshouldnotbethetackledbyprosecutorsandbusinesspeople,butbyacademics,journalistsandphilosophers.Şimşekarguedthattheaimofthearticleswastopromotedebateandthatatthetimethearticlewaspublished,therewerenoarmedconflictsintheregion.On4March2011,BeşikçiwassentencedbyacourtinIstanbultooneyearandthreemonths.Şimşekwassentencedtoafine.Beşikçiisfreewhilehisappealisongoing.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.Background:Beşikçispentmanyyearsinprisoninthe1990sduringwhichtimehewasamaincaseforPENInternational.Awards:In2012,hewastherecipientoftheprestigiousHrantDinkFoundationAward.GökhanBULUT(m):Profession:EditorialCoordinatoratAramPublishingHouseDetailsoftrial:BuluteditedandpublishedthreebookswritteninKurdishbyHayrettinEkinci,RodiZinarandHasanHüseyinDenizrespectively.Hewaschargedwith“makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation”,specifiedasPKK/KCKintheindictment.Thebooks,writtenbyKurdishfighters,aredescribedasbeing“guerrillamemoirs”.ThepublicprosecutorhasstatedthathewilldropthecaseifAramPublishingHousepaysafineof20,000TurkishLirasforeachbook.FollowingtheabolitionofSpecialAuthorityCourts,thecasehasbeendelegatedtothe3rdHighCriminalCourtofDiyarbakir.Thelasthearingofthetrialwasheldon25September2014.Heremainedfreeattheendof2015pendingtheoutcomeofhistrial.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosedBackground:AramPublishingHousehasfacedanumberofhighprofilecourtcasesovertheyearsforitsfocusonpublishingcontentrelatedtotheKurdishissue.NoamChomsky’sInterventionsandThomasBenedikter’sTheWorld’sRegionalAuthoritiesareamongstthebooksthathavepromptedcourtcasesagainstAramPublishingHouse.HikmetÇİÇEK(m):Profession:columnistforAydınlıkSentence:21yearsand9monthsDateofarrest:25March2008Dateofrelease:10March2014Detailsofarrest:ArrestedaspartoftheErgenekoninvestigation.Detailsoftrial:ChargedunderseveralarticlesofthePenalCode,andArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.Accusedofobtainingclassifieddocumentsandillegaldatacollection.HistrialopenedinJuly2008atSilivri,Istanbul.Hislawyerspointoutthatalthoughhewasarrestedforpossessionofclassifieddocuments,hisindictmentmakesnoreferencetothisclaim.ThepresidentofthecourthearingthecasehasrecommendedonseveraloccasionsthatÇiçekbefreed,butheremaineddetainedinSilivriprisonuntilhisreleasesubsequenttoareformpackageabolishingthespecialauthoritycourtsandreducingthereasonableperiodofpre-trialdetentiontofiveyears.Hisappealisbelievedtobeongoingasof31December2015.ZiyaÇİÇEKÇİ(m):Profession:editorofthepro-KurdishGünlüknewspaperSentence:1)18monthsinprison2)10monthsinprison,suspendedDetailsoftrial:1)Sentencedin2010tounderArticle7/2oftheAnti-TerrorLawsfor“makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation”forarticlesonthePKK.AmnestyInternationalinits2013reportstatesthatthesearticleswereanalysesofthePKKandcouldnotbeconstruedtobepromotingviolence.Thecaseiscurrentlypendingappeal.2)InDecember2011hewasconvictedunderArticle6/2oftheAnti-TerrorLawfor“printingorpublishingdeclarationsorstatementsofterroristorganisations”whichrelatedtoanarticlewhichcontainedextractsofaninterviewwithaleadingPKKmemberregardingtheconditionsofimprisonmentofPKKleaderAbdullahÖcalan.Hewassubsequentlysentencedto10months’imprisonmentinSeptember2012whichwassuspendedundertheprovisionsoftheThirdJudicialPackage.3)AmongthosearrestedinDecember2011undertheKCKinvestigations.Seeabove.BelievedtoremainfreependingtrialattheendofJune2016;Caseclosed.

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AyşegülDEVECİOĞLU(f):Profession:KurdishwriterSentence:23monthsinprison;suspendedforfiveyearsDetailsoftrial:ChargedwithArticles7/2(“makingpropagandaforaterroristorganisation”)and5(“membershipofaterroristorganisation”)oftheAnti-TerrorLawaswellasArticle28/1(“illegaldemonstrations”)oftheLawonMeetingsandDemonstrations.TheindictmentagainstherwasdeliveredinMarch2012followingDevecioğlu’sarrestalongwith20otherBDPmembersforchantingslogansinsupportofimprisonedPKKleaderAbdullahÖcalanatanillegaldemonstrationinYalova,WesternTurkey.Atherlasthearingheldon30December2013shewassentencedto23monthsinprison,withthesentencesuspendedforaperiodoffiveyears.Nofurtherinformationasof31December2015.Background:Devecioğluhasreceivedcriticalacclaimfortwonovelsandtwobooksofshortstories.Awards:In2008shewasawardedtheOrhanKemalPrizeforoneofhernovels.AliDURSUN(m),Profession:publisherofonlinenewswebsiteHaberRüzgarıYükselÖZBEK(m),Profession:ownerofonlinenewswebsiteGöreleSolSentence:11monthsand20daysinprisonsuspendedforfiveyearsDetailsoftrial:On12February2013theywereconvictedofinsultingPrimeMinisterRecepTayyipErdoğan(underArticle125oftheTurkishPenalCode).Bothhavebeenplacedunder‘judicialcontrol’forfiveyears,meaningthatiftheycommit“anothercrimeofthesamenature”withinthattime-frame,theywillhavetoservetheirsuspendedsentence.Nofurtherinformationasof31December2015.İhsanELİAÇIK(m):Profession:writer,theologianandpublisher;ownerofİnşaPublishingHouseDetailsoftrial:On21June2013,apetitionwasfiledagainstEliaçıkinanAnkaracourtbyPrimeMinisterErdoğan’slegalrepresentatives.ThecourtacceptedadefamationsuitagainstEliacıkfor12tweets,nineofwhichconcernErdoğandirectly,postedatthetimeoftheGeziParkprotests.ChargedwithcriminaldefamationunderArticle125oftheTurkishPenalCode,Eliaçıkfacesbothacriminaltrialandacivilsuit.Thecivilsuitwassettledon20January2014bythe23thCourtofFirstInstanceinAnkara,awardingErdoğan2,000TurkishLirasindamages.Background:İhsanEliacıkhaswrittenover20bookssincetheearly1990s,includingaseriesonrevolutionaryIslamicintellectualsandanumberofbooksoutliningasocialistinterpretationofIslam.Heistheideologicalleaderof“theAnti-CapitalistMuslims”,agroupthatstronglyopposesthesynthesisofcapitalismandIslamonmoralgrounds.AnoutspokencriticoftheincumbentAKPadministrationandTurkey’sDirectorateofReligiousAffairs,EliacıkandhisgroupwerepresentthroughouttheGeziParkprotests,andgarneredsignificantattentionfortheircondemnationoftheheavyhandedgovernmentresponse.PENActions:FeaturedinPEN’s2014reportTheGeziParkProtest:TheImpactonFreedomofExpressioninTurkey.Caseclosed:thecasewasdroppedduetoclemencyofferedbyPresidentRecepTayyipErdoğanonallcriminaldefamationcasesinvolvinghimselffollowingtheattemptedcoup.FüsunERDOĞAN(jointDutch/Turkishnational)(f):Profession:aradiojournalistandawriteratBianetDateofarrest:12September2006Sentence:lifesentenceDateofrelease:8May2014Detailsofrelease:Erdoğanwasreleasedfromprisontogetherwithother8journalistsincludingBayramNamaz.Erdoğanhadbeenkeptunderdetentionforeightyearswhenthereleaseorderwasissued.Itwasreportedthattheorderwasissuedsubsequenttothereductionintheusualperiodofdetentionfrom10to5years.Detailsoftrial:Convictedof“membershipofanarmedorganisation”(Article314/2oftheAnti-TerrorLaw)and“membershipofaterroristorganisation”(Article5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw)inNovember2013.TheorganisationinquestionistheMarxist-LeninistLiberationParty(MLKP).TriedinthesamecasetogetherwithBayramNamazandİbrahimÇiçek-seeabove.HerappealtotheSupremeCourtisbelievedtobependingasof31December2015.Caseclosedassheisbelievedtobeoutofthecountry.

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HalitGÜDENOĞLU(m),CihanGÜN(m),MusaKURT(m),KaanÜNSAL(m),NaciyeYAVUZ(f):Profession:reportersforYürüyüşDateofarrest:inoraroundDecember2010Detailsoftrial:Thefirsthearingwasheldon10January2012,after13monthsofpre-trialdetention.Chargesareapparentlyterror-related.TheYürüyüşmagazineofficeinIstanbulwasraidedon24December2010.TheraidalsoincludedthepublishingcompanyOzanPublishing.Thefivewerereleasedpendingtrialon20July2012.ItwasreportedinJuly2013thatÜnsalhadbeenre-arrestedon14March2013.ItwasalsosuggestedthatKurtwassimilarlyre-arrestedon18September2012.Thetwoarereportedlynolongerdetained.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.NuhGÖNÜLTAŞ(f),profession:journalistforBugünHüseyinGÜLERCE(m),profession:formercolumnistforZamanFahriSARRAFOĞLU(m),profession:journalistforZamanMakbuleÇamELMADAĞ(m),AliKARA(m),AliSamimNOYAN,RadiyeEbruŞENVARDAR(f),HikmetTOMBULCA(m),ElifYILMAZ(f),Professions:screenwritersDateofarrest:14December2014Detailsofarrest:TheninepeoplenamedabovewerearrestedalongsideeditorEkremDumanlıandjournalistHidayetKaraca(seeabove)on14December2014‘onsuspicionofmembershipofanillegalorganisation’.Amongthosearrestedwerehigh-rankingmembersoftheIstanbulpoliceforceaswellasjournalists,screenwriters,producersanddirectorswhohaveworkedfornewspapersandTVstationssaidtobeaffiliatedwiththeGülenmovement.ThearrestscameagainstabackdropofescalatingpoliticaltensionsbetweentherulingpartyinTurkeyandthefollowersofIslamicclericFethullahGülen.Anindictmenthasnotbeendeliveredasof31December2014althoughalloftheaboveremainunderinvestigation.AllwerereleasedafterquestioningwiththeexceptionofKaraca.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016,caseclosedPENActions:Pressrelease15December2014HasanKABAKULAK(m):Profession:journalistDateofarrest:10April2013Detailsofrelease:8October2014Detailsofarrest:arrestedinHatay,neartheSyrianborder.Detailsoftrial:ArrestedonsuspicionofbeinganagentfortheSyriangovernment,Kabakulakwaschargedwith“obtainingclassifiedinformationfromthestatewiththeintentionofpoliticalormilitaryespionage”underArticle328/1oftheTurkishPenalCode.HewasdetainedinAdanaKürkçülerPrisonfrom10April2013until8October2014whenhewasfreedpendingtheoutcomeofhistrial.Nofurtherinformation,caseclosed.DoğanKARATAŞTAN(m):Profession:JournalistatYürüyüşNewspaperDateofarrest:18January2014Dateofrelease:21January2014Detailsoftrial:Karataştanwaschargedwith“leadinganillegalorganisation”anddetainedon18January2014.HewaschargedafterthreedaysinpolicecustodybeforebeingreleasedpendingtrialasaresultofamedicalreportshowingthathesufferedfromWernicke-Korsakoffsyndrome.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016,caseclosed.*BülentKENEŞ(m):Profession:Editor-in-chiefofEnglish-languagedailynewspaperToday’sZamanDateofarrest:9October2015Dateofrelease:14October2015Detailsofarrest:KeneşwasreportedlytakenfromhisofficebypoliceafterajudgeissuedawarrantforhisarrestonchargesofinsultingTurkishPresidentErdoğaninaseriesoftweets.KeneşwasinitiallyplacedinIstanbul’sMetrisPrisonbeforebeingmovedtothecity’shigh-securitySilivriPrisonon12October2015.Detailsofrelease:Keneşwasreleasedfromprisonpendingtrialbutiscurrentlybarredfromtravellingabroad.HewillhavetoregistereverySundaywiththelocalpolicestation.Nofurtherinformationasof31December2015.DenizKISMETLİ(m):

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Profession:journalistforHalkinGünlügü(People’sDaily)newspaperDateofarrest:22or23February2011Detailsofarrest:Kısmetliisamong23people(twoofwhomarejournalists)arrestedinraidsinseveralcitiesacrossTurkeyinFebruary2011aspartofaninvestigationintoDHKP-C(theRevolutionaryPeople’sSalvationArmy–MilitaryWing).Dateanddetailsofrelease:Hewasreleasedpendingtrialon26February2014.Detailsoftrial:KısmetliisaccusedofmembershipofanarmedorganisationandmembershipofaterroristorganisationunderArticle314/2oftheTurkishPenalCodeandArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLawrespectively.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.Dr.YalçınKÜÇÜK(m):Profession:writer,economist,historianandsocialist.OutspokencriticoftherulingAKP.Authorofnumerousbooksonsocio-economicsSentence:22yearsandsixmonthsDateofarrest:early2011Detailsofarrest:ArrestedforinvestigationintotheODATVnewswebsitecase.Dateofrelease:10March2014Detailsoftrial:1)Sentencedto22yearsandsixmonthsinprison.Thecourtdecidedthathewouldbereleasedon10March2014subsequenttoareformpackageabolishingthespecialauthoritycourtsandreducingthereasonableperiodofpre-trialdetentiontofiveyears.Hisappealisthoughttobeongoingasof31December2015.2)On10December2015theConstitutionalCourtruledthatadecisionbyalowercourttoorderjournalistYalçınKüçüktopaydamagestoformerPresidentAbdullahGül,whosuedKüçükoverhisbook“Musa'nınGülü”(TheRoseofMoses),inwhichthejournalistaccusedGülofhavingsecrettiestotheJewishlobbyintheUSandtheUSandBritishgovernments,constitutedaviolationoffreedomofspeechBackground:AccusedofsympathieswiththePKKandsentencedtotwoyearsinprisoninthelate1990sforinterviewwithitsleader,AbdullahÖcalan.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.SamiMENTEŞ(m):Profession:reporterforYurtnewspaperDateofarrest:ArrestedaspartoftheDHKP-Cinvestigationon21January2013DateofRelease:Releasedpendingtrialon11October2013.Detailsoftrial:Chargedwith“membershipofanarmedorganisation”underArticle314/2oftheTurkishPenalCodeand“membershipofaterroristorganisation”underArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.AtrialhearingtookplaceinMay2015;thenexthearingwasscheduledtotakeplacein10November2015.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.TuncayÖZKAN(m):Profession:Ajournalistsincethemid-1990s,workingforprintandbroadcastmedia,hereportedlyspecialisesincoveringcorruption,drugcrime,andterrorism,specificallyterrorismlinkedtoreligiousextremism,andoninternationalrelations.HismanyarticlesappearedinnewspapersincludingMilliyet,RadikalandAkşam.Hehasalsoauthoredsome17books.Sentence:AggravatedlifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:27September2008Dateofrelease:10March2014Detailsofarrest:DetainedinSilivriPrison,50kmoutsideIstanbulfornearlysixyears.Detailsoftrial:SentencedinAugust2013tolifeimprisonment.Özkanhadanappealforreleasefrompre-trialdetentionturneddownbytheEuropeanCourtofHumanRightson14February2012.Hewasreleasedon10March2014subsequenttoareformpackageabolishingthespecialauthoritycourtsandreducingthereasonableperiodofpre-trialdetentiontofiveyears.HeremainedfreependingappealasofDecember2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.Wewillreopenthecaseshouldthesentencebeupheld.ErgünPOYRAZ(m):Profession:authorofcontroversialbooksonthenowbannedIslamicRefahandFaziletParties,aswellasonthekeymembersoftherulingAKP.EvidenceinhisbooksissaidtohaveledtotheclosureofRefahandFaziletinthelate1990s/early2000s.Sentence:29yearsandfourmonthsinprisonDateofarrest:2007Dateofrelease:10March2014Detailsoftrial:Amongtheaccusationsagainsthimis

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thatheallowedbookswrittenbyErgenekonmemberstobepublishedunderhisname,claimssaidtobeunsubstantiated,andthathisbooksdeliberatelycontributedtowardstheErgenekon’spolicyofspreadingchaos,includingthroughunfoundedsuggestionsthatcertainleaderswereofJewishorArmenianbackgrounds,considereddefamatory.OnesuchbookcouldbePoyraz’sMusa`nincocuklari–TayyipveEmine(TheChildrenofMoses–TayyipandEmine)whichclaimsthatPrimeMinisterRecepTayyipErdoğanispartofa“Zionistconspiracy”concoctedbyJİTEM,aclandestineorganisationsaidtobethemilitarywingofErgenekonaccusedofbeingresponsibleforbombingsandassassinations.SomenewsreportssuggestthatmaterialseizedfromhishomesuggestedPoyrazwascollectinginformationonseniormilitaryandotherofficers.On5August2013,hewassentencedto29yearsand4monthsinprison.Hewasreleasedon10March2014subsequenttoareformpackageabolishingthespecialauthoritycourtsandreducingthereasonableperiodofpre-trialdetentiontofiveyears.HeremainedfreeonappealasofDecember2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.Wewillreopenthecaseshouldthesentencebeupheld.SultanŞAMAN:(f)Profession:editorofKurdishwomen’smagazineHeviyeJineDateofarrest:7February2012Dateofrelease:February2014.Detailsofarrest:ReportedlyarrestedinNusaybin,Mardinprovince,formembershipofthePKK,andsenttoBatmanPrison.Detailsofrelease:ReleasedpendingtrialDetailsoftrial:ChargedunderArticle314ofthePenalCodeandArticle5oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.SedatŞENOĞLU(m):Profession:journalistforthenewspaperAtılımDateofarrest:10September2006Sentence:seven-and-a-halfyears(underappeal)Dateanddetailsofrelease:September2012pendingcompletionofthetrialDetailsoftrial:Trialproceedingsagainsthimandothers(seeJudicialconcern–other,İbrahimÇIÇEKandBayramNAMAZopenedon13April2007underArticle6oftheAnti-TerrorLaw.AccusedofbeingamemberoftheMarxistLeninistCommunistParty(MKLP,)deemedbytheauthoritiestobeaterroristorganisation.Thereareconcernsaroundthefairnessofthetrialbasedonthenon-disclosurebytheauthoritiesofthereasonsforhisarrest.Thefirsttrialwasmarkedbyclashesbetweensupportersandpolice,duringwhichteargaswasused.Atahearingheldon26October2007attheIstanbul10thHighCriminalCourt,therewereprotestswhenitwasannouncedthatallthedefendantsinthiscasewouldcontinuetobeheldinpre-trialdetention.Around24May2011lawyersquestionedtheveracityofadocumentsaidtohavebeenseizedduring“OperationGaye”duringwhichthedefendantswerearrested.Theyrequestedareviewoftheevidence.Theyalsopointedoutthatthedefendantshadbeenheldforoversixyearswithoutconclusionoftheirtrial,floutingtheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights.Scufflesbrokeoutatthishearingafteroneofthedefendantsattemptedtomakeaspeechcommemoratingapersonwhohadbeenkilledbythemilitaryin1995.InSeptember2012,Şenoğluwasreleasedpendingtrialduetoachangeinthenatureandclassificationofthecrimeandthetermspentbehindbarsalready.Hewassentencedon5November2013tosevenandahalfyearsinprison.Heappealedthesentence.Background:SenogluwasalsobrieflydetainedinJune2013(see2013CaseList)PENAction:Mentionedin8November2013pressrelease.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.Wewillreopenthecaseshouldthesentencebeupheld.TayyipTEMEL(m):Profession:formereditor-in-chiefofdailyKurdishlanguagenewspaperAzadiyaWelatDateofarrest:3October2011Dateofrelease:1July2014Detailsofarrest:ArrestedinDiyarbakiraspartoftheKCKinvestigation.Detailsofrelease:Temelwasfreedpendingtrialon1July2014,althoughtheconditionsofhisreleasemeanthatheeffectivelycannotleavetheprovinceofHakkari.Detailsoftrial:AccusedofleadershipofanarmedorganisationunderArticle314/1oftheTurkishPenalCodeandleadershipofaterroristorganisationunderArticle5/1oftheAnti-TerrorLaw,hefacesupto22

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yearsinprison.InalettertotheTurkishfreeexpressionmonitor,Bianet,hesaidthathewasbeingtargetedforhisjournalismandthattheevidenceagainsthimconsistsofwiretapsofhisphonecallstothepro-KurdishPeaceandDemocracyParty(BDP)andtheDemocraticSocietyParty(DTP).HeaddedthattripshemadetoIraqinthecourseofhisjournalismarebeinginterpretedasbeingcarriedoutformeetingswiththePKK.Nomoreinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.DenizYILDIRIM(m):Profession:formerexecutivedirectorofAydınlıknewspaperDateofarrest:9November2009,heldinSilivriPrisonSentence:16yearsand10monthsDateofrelease:10March2014Detailsoftrial:AccusedofmembershipofanillegalorganisationundertheTurkishPenalCode.Accusationsagainsthimincludedisclosureofaudioandvisualfiles.Earlyreportssuggestthatevidenceagainsthimincludethathesecretlywiretappedtheprimeminister’stelephone.Trialopenedon28June2010.YıldırımwassentencedinAugust2013to16yearsand10monthsonchargesof"acquiringconfidentialdocumentsconcerningthesecurityoftheState,""obtaininganddistributingpersonaldataillegally,"and"membershipofanarmedterroristorganisation".Hewasreleasedon10March2014subsequenttoareformpackageabolishingthespecialauthoritycourtsandreducingthereasonableperiodofpre-trialdetentiontofiveyears.Heremainedfreependingappealasof31December2015.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016;caseclosed.Wewillreopenthecaseshouldthesentencebeupheld.

TURKMENISTAN

Imprisoned:maincase

SaparmamedNEPESKULIEV:Profession:freelancejournalistforthenewswebsiteAlternativeTurkmenistanNewsandRadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertySentence:threeyearsinprisonDateofarrest:7July2015Detailsofarrest:HewasarrestedintheCaspianSearesortofAvaza.Hereportedlyhadgoneouttophotographtheresortandhadlefthissuitcaseinhisroom.WhilehewasouttheopioidTramadolwasplacedinhissuitcase.HewasarrestedashereturnedtothehotelbytwoagentsoftheTurkmenNationalSecurityMinistry.Nepeskuliev’sfamilylastsawhimon7July2015andtheywerenotnotifiedofhisdetention.Currentplaceofdetention:Threeweeksafterhisdisappearance,hisfamilyfoundoutthatNepeskulievwasdetainedinaprisonnearTurkmenbashi.HehasbeeninLBK-12PrisoninLebapprovince,anditissuggestedthathemayhavebeentransferredtoBL-D/5PrisonintheBalkanprovince,althoughthishasnotbeenconfirmed.Dateoftrial:31August2015Detailsoftrial:HismothertoldAlternativeTurkmenistanNewsthatshehadlearnedon4September2015thatNepeskulievwassentencedtothreeyearsinprisoninaclosedtrialon31August2015apparentlyonnarcoticscharges,whichhisfamilydenies.Conditionsofdetention:Nepeskulievhasbeendeniedallcontactwithhisfamilyandheldincommunicadosincethestartofhisdetention.Background:Nepeskulievoftencriticiseslocalgovernmentauthoritiesfortheirincompetenceandabusesonsocialandinfrastructuralissues.Otherinformation:TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionstatedthattheybelievedthathisdetentionwasarbitrary.Theyfoundthatinhisarrest,trialanddetention,Turkmenistanhadviolatedinternationalnormsandexpressedgraveconcernthathemayhavebeentortured.InJune2016,13mediaandhumanrightsorganisationssignedajointlettercallingforanendtohisimprisonment.

UKRAINE

TheoustingoftheUkrainianPresidentViktorYanukovychinFebruary2014wasfollowedinMarchbytheRussianFederation’sunrecognisedannexationofCrimea,whichtriggeredaninternationalcrisis.

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ThiscrisisworsenedinMaywhenthelocalpro-RussiangroupsseizedcontrolofDonetskandLuhanskanddeclaredindependencefromUkraine.During2014therewasarapidescalationinviolenceineasternUkraine.Pro-Russianseparatistgroups,Russianvolunteers,Russianarmedforces,theUkrainiansecurityservicesandpro-Kievforcescommittedveryseriousviolationsofhumanrights.Inthecourseofthecrisis,dozensofjournalistsweredetained,kidnapped,torturedorotherwiseharassedsolelyforcarryingouttheirwork.PENisnotabletodocumentalloftheseattacks.Althoughbothpro-Kievandseparatistgroupscarriedouttheseattacks,separatistswerereportedlyresponsibleforthemajorityofthem.AtPENInternational’sWorldCongressinBishkek,Kyrgyzstanin2014,aresolutiononUkrainewaspassedbytheassemblyofdelegates.Sincethen,theUkranianauthoritieshavetakenstepstorestrictfreedomofexpressionsuchasanApril2015lawwhichcriminalizespublicdenialoftheactivitiesofthecommunistandNaziregimesinUkraineandbansallrelatedsymbols,exceptforrestrictededucationalorscientificpurposes.Violationofthelawcarriesapenaltyofpotentialterminationofactivitiesofmediaandprisonsentencesforfivetotenyears.AfurtherlawintroducedinMay2015criminalisesthepublicexpressionofdisrespectforcertaingroupsoffightersforUkrainianindependenceandcriminalizespublicdenialofthelegitimacyoftheirfightforUkraine’sindependence.

Killed-ImpunityOlesBUZYNA:Profession:journalist,bloggerandformereditor-in-chiefofSegodnyanewspaperDateofbirth:13July1969Dateofdeath:16April2015Detailsofdeath:Buzyna,ajournalistknownforhispro-Russianviews,wasshotdeadbytwomaskedmeninKiev;theshotswerereportedlyfiredfromacar,which,accordingtopolice,hadLithuanianorBelarussiannumberplates.Thesuspectsdroveoffaftertheshooting.Detailsofinvestigation:PresidentPetroPoroshenkohasorderedaninvestigationintothemurder.InJune,threesuspectswerereportedtohavebeenarrested;twowereremandedincustody.On14August2015,anAppealsCourtinKyivupheldthepre-trialdetentionofAndrewMedvedko.DenisPolishchukhadbeenremandedincustodyseveraldaysearlier.Bothmenareallegedfar-rightactivistsanddenythecharge.On31December2015Medvedkowasreleasedfromcustodyandplacedunder24-hourhousearrest,whichwasreportedtobeenforceduntil31January2016.Update:Thepre-trialinvestigationwascontinuingasof30June2016.[StopPress:On14July2016,thelawyeractingforthefamilyofBuzynasaidthathehadclearevidencethatmorethanonepersonwasinvolvedintheshooting,whichcontradictedtheinvestigator’sclaimsthatMedvedkowassolelyresponsiblefortheshooting.]Background:Inthefirstfourmonthsof2015,therewasaspateofsuspiciousdeathsofkillingsofalliesofUkraine'spro-RussianFormerPresident,VictorYanukovych.AccordingtotheInteriorMinistryadviserAntonGerashchenko,Buzynawaspartofthe‘anti-Maidan’movementthatopposedthepopularoverthrowofPresidentYanukovychin2014.GerashchenkoalsosaidthatBuzynawasakeywitnessinacriminalcaserelatedtopro-RussianactivistswhoattackedprotestersintheMaidanSquareuprising.Otherinformation:BuzynawasmentionedbyReportersWithoutBordersasanexampleofmediaworkersbeingkilledintheircallforaprobeintothemurderofjournalistsinUkraine.

GeorgyGONGADZE:Profession:editoroftheindependentInternetnewspaperUkrainskaPravda(whichoftencriticisedthepoliciesofthenPresidentLeonidKuchma)Dateofbirth:21May1969Dateanddetailsofdeath:Gongadzewaskidnappedaround16September2000andmurdered.HisheadlessbodywasdiscoveredinNovember2000inaforestoutsidethetownofTarashcha.DetailsofInvestigation:aninvestigation,reportedlyplaguedbyirregularities,begansoonafterthejournalist’sdeath,andin2008threepoliceofficerswereconvictedofhismurder.In2009,akeysuspect,InteriorMinisterGeneralAlekseiPukach,wasarrestedandalsoaccusedofthemurder.InNovember2010,prosecutorschangedthestatusofthecasefromcontractkillingto‘killingonverbalorder’.Thenewstatusofthecasepegstheresponsibilityforcommissioningthecrimeonasingleculprit(adead

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interiorminister)andtechnicallyprecludesinvestigationintoalargercircleofsuspectedmasterminds.Prosecutorshavefailedtoinvestigateformerandcurrenthigh-rankingofficials,includingformerPresidentLeonidKuchmaandthethen-headofpresidentialadministrationandcurrentParliamentSpeakerVladimirLitvin,whohavelongbeensuspectedofbeinginvolvedinGongadze'skilling.UkrainianprosecutorsindictedformerPresidentLeonidKuchmaon24March2011,onabuse-of-officechargesinconnectionwiththemurder.ThetrialofAlexseiPukachbeganon7July2011andwasconductedentirelyinprivate.On15August2011,arequestbyValentinaTelychenko,alawyerforGongadze’swidow,tohavethetrialopenedtothepublicwasdenied.ItwasreportedthatPukachallegedlytestifiedon30August2011thathehadcarriedoutthekillinginaplotorchestratedbyPresidentKuchma.ThedefendantclaimedthatthedirectordertocarryoutthemurderwasissuedbythenowdeceasedInteriorMinisterYuriKravchenko.Itwasfurtherreportedthatseveralotherseniorofficialshadbeenimplicatedinthemurder,includingthecurrentParliamentspeakerVladimirLitvin,andtwoofKravchenko’sdeputies,NikolaiDzhigaandEduardFree.However,KuchmaandDzhigahavedeniedinvolvement,claimingthatPukachfabricatedtheaccounttoavoidapotentiallifesentence.On14December2011theKievcourtdroppedallchargesagainstKuchma.OnthesamedayajudgeruledthatsecrettaperecordingsbyKuchma’sformerbodyguard,inwhichheallegedlytalksabouthisannoyancewithGongadzeanddesireto‘silencehim’,couldnotbeusedasevidenceastheyhadbeenacquiredbyillegalmeans.On20February2013,theFirstDeputyProsecutorGeneralofUkraineRenatKuzminclaimedthathisofficehadcollectedenoughevidenceconfirmingKuchma'sresponsibilityfororderingGongadze'sassassinationOn29January2013,PukachwassentencedtoalifeimprisonmentbythePecherskDistrictCourtyofKiev.Gongadze’swifeappealedagainstthedecisiontodismissthechargesagainstKuchmabutlaterdroppedherappeal,asitmighthaveledtoPukach’srelease.On9July2014theGeneralProsecutorofUkraineVitaliyYaremastatedthathisOfficewouldrevisitinvestigationsintohigh-profilecases‘thatweredroppedunlawfully’,includingthecasesdealingwiththemurderofGongadze.InFebruary2015,itwasreportedthattheProsecutorGeneralofUkraineViktorShokinhadsetupateamofinvestigatorsandprosecutorsandhadresumedtheinvestigationintothemurderofthejournalist.InMarch2016,Gongadze’sbodywasfinallyburied.

Enforceddisappearance

SergeiDOLGOV:Profession:editorofVestnikPryazovyaandKhochuvSSSR(‘IwanttogototheUSSR’)Dateofabduction18June2014Detailsofabduction:Dolgovwasabductedfromhisofficeinthesouth-easterncityofMariupolbysixmaskedmeninciviliandressbearingautomaticweapons.TheytookallthecomputersintheofficeandbeatDolgovbeforetakinghimawaywithhishandstied.Hiswhereaboutsandtheidentityandmotiveofhisabductorsremainedunknownforfivedays.TheheadoftheSecurityServiceofUkraineinMariupolannouncedon23June2014thatDolgovhadbeenarrestedbytheUkranianNationalGuardandthathewas‘aliveandingoodhealth’andbeingheldatananti-terrorismcentreinZaporozhye.Pro-Russianmediasourcessuggestedhewaskilled,butinSeptember2014,AmnestyInternationalreportedthateyewitnessesandrelativesbelievedhewasstillaliveandindetenition.InDecember2014AmnestyInternationalsaidthatUkraine’sSecurityServiceshadtoldthemthattheyhadnorecordofDolgov’sdetention.Dolgov’swifehassaidthatshehasbeencontactedbyasourcewhowishestoremainanonymouswhosaidhewasheldwithDolgovinmilitarybaseA1978inZaporozhyeuntiltheformer’sreleaseinOctober2014.InDecember2014,amemberoftheEuropeanParliamentfromtheCommunistPartyofGreecefiledaquestiontotheEuropeanCommissionregardingDolgov’sdisappearance.Intheresponsereceivedon5March2015,theVicePresidentoftheEuropeanCommissionsaidthattheUkrainianauthoritiesmust‘thoroughlyinvestigatethecaseandbringtheperpetratorstojusticeandthat‘freedomofthemediaisakeyfeatureofanydemocracyand[that]anyjournalistshallbeabletoperformworkfreeofharassmentandintimidation.’Background:Dolgov’scolleaguesthinkhisabductionwaslinkedto

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hiseditingofKhochuvSSSR,whichmainlypublisheshistoricalarticlesabouttheSovieteraandwhichothernewspapersintheregionrecentlylabelledasa‘rebel’publication.

Imprisoned–investigation

*VitaliyDIDENKO:Profession:newseditorofinfocenter-odessa.comSentence:threeyears’imprisonmentDateofarrest:May2015Dateofrelease:14June2016Detailsofarrest:ItwasreportedthatDidenkowasarrestedonchargesofdrugpossession(WhicharedescribedastrumpedupbytheSBUSecretServicetoarresthim.Noconcreteproof,doweaddthisin?).Duringthecourseofthearrest,Didenkowasseriouslyinjured,sufferingseveralbrokenribsandabrokenarm,afterhereportedlytriedtoescapebyjumpingfromathird-floorwindow.Detailsofrelease:ItwasreportedthatDidenkowasreleasedalongwithElenaGlishchinskaya(seeabove)aspartofaprisonerexchangewithRussia,afterhewaspardonedbythePresidentofUkraineunderPresidentialDecreeNo.251/2016.Detailsoftrial:Didenkowasreportedlysentencedonchargesofseparatism,andreceivedathree-yearprisonsentence.

Detained–Investigation

*Elena(orOlena)GLISHCHINSKAYA(f):Profession:journalist,TVeditorDateofarrest:29April2015Dateofrelease:14June2016Detailsofarrest:Onthemorningof29April2016,membersoftheSecurityService’santi-terroristsquadraidedGlishchinskaya’shomeinOdessainsearchofagitationandpropagandamaterial.Duringtheraidshewasreportedlyheldatgunpoint,andherchildrenwerewokenatgunpoint.AccordingtoGlishchinskaya,officersfound20leaflets,a2010PartyofRegionscalendar,manualsandbooksonjournalism,booksonthehistoryoftheOdessaregionandtwocomputers.Itwasreportedthatallofthismaterialwastakenforinvestigation.Shewasthenputunderinvestigationunderarticle110oftheCriminalCodeofUkraineforallegedlybeingathreattotheterritorialintegrityofUkraine.Shewasorderedtobeheldundertwomonths’preventativedetentionbyacourtwhichwasextendedseveraltimes.HercaseisapparentlypartofaninvestigationintothePeople’sCouncilofBessarabia.Detailsofrelease:On14May2016GlishchinskayawaspardonedbythePresident,andon14June2016shewasreleasedandflowntoMoscow,alongwithanotherjournalist,VitaliyDidenko,andflowntoMoscow,whereitappearsshehadremained.Itwasreportedthatherhusbandandtheirchildrenwouldflytovisither,butwouldnotbemoving.ItwasreportedthatthetwojournalistswerereleasedaspartofaprisonerswapwithRussia.ItwasreportedthatGlishchinskayaandDidenkoareUkrainiancitizens.Conditionsofdetention:Glishchinskayawaspregnantwhileindetention,andwasrequiredtobehospitalisedseveraltimes,althoughshewasnotallowedtoremaininhospital.On4February2016,herlawyerarguedthatshebeallowedtostayinhospital,butthiswasdeniedbythecourt.Shegavebirthon27April2016.Itwasreportedthataftergivingbirth,shewasoftendeniedpermissiontoseeherchild.

Attacked

*SvetlanaKRYUKOVA (f):Profession: Freelancejournalist,author Dateofattack/threat: 11January2016Detailsofattack/threat: WhilstSvetlana Kryukova was conductinganinterviewinahospitalwiththesubjectofherupcomingbook,hercarwasattackedand leftwithasmashedwindscreenandpuncturedtyres,althoughnothingwasstolen,localnewshasbeenreported.Background: Kryukova iscurrentlywritingabookaboutaUkrainianoligarch,andsheconsiderstheattackaresponsetoherjournalism.*OleksanderNIKOLAYCHUK:

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Profession:investigativejournalist,deputyoftheregionalcouncilDateofattack:7March2016Detailsofattack:Inthenightof7March2016,unknownpersonssetfiretoahouseownedbyOleksanderNikolaychuk.Thehousewasemptyatthetimeashehadinheriteditfromhisgrandmother.Heconnectedtheallegedarsonwithhisprofessionalwork.Background:Nikolaychukhadpreviouslybeeninvolvedininvestigatingillegalambersmuggling,andwasreportedlybeatenupforthisinJuly2015.Atthetimeofthearsonhehadbeeninvestigatingassaultsonlocaltaxidrivers.

Threatened

*KristinaBERDYNSKYKH(f):Profession:ReporterforNovoyeVremyaDateofthreat:12February2016Detailsofthreat:ItwasreportedthatKristinaBerdynskykhreceivedadeaththreatviatextmessageafteranexposeofaUkrainiangascompany.LocalmediareportedthatthetextmessagesaidthatiftherewasonemorearticleaboutthecompanyBerdynskykhwouldbekilled,withareferencetoGeorgyGongadze(seeabove).*Tatiyana DONCHEVA(f):Profession: Editorof Cherkasky Kurier Dateofthreat: 31January2016Detailsofthreat:TatianaDonchevawasapproachedbyanunknownman,demandingthatshenotpublishwhathecalled‘untruearticles’aboutthepoliceandthreateningherwithviolence,itwasreported.  UZBEKISTANImprisoned:maincase

Salidzhon(Salijon)ABDURAKHMANOV:Profession:journalistfortheindependentGerman-basedUzbekagencyUznews.netwhichisblockedinUzbekistan,reporterforRadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty,VoiceofAmerica,theInstituteofWarandPeaceReportingandchairpersonoftheCommitteefortheDefenseoftheRightsoftheIndividual.Abdurakhmanoviswellknownforhisreportingandmonitoringofhumanrights,aswellaseconomicandsocialissuesintheregion.Dateofbirth:1950Sentence:10yearprisonsentenceDateofarrest:7June2008Detailsofarrest:ArrestedbytrafficpoliceinNukus,ontheTurkmenborder,whostoppedandsearchedhiscarandthenclaimedtohavefoundpackages,allegedlycontainingmarijuanaandcocaine.Hewasnotquestionedaboutwheretheycamefrom,whichwouldbenormalprocedureinsuchcases.Onthesamedaypolicesearchedhishomeandhisworkplaceandconfiscatedalaptop,booksandnotes,amongstotheritems.Later,AbdurakhmanovwasquestionedaboutabiographyoftheexileleaderofthebannedoppositionpartyErk,foundbypoliceamongsthisbelongings.Currentplaceofdetention:KarshiprisonDetailsoftrial:InitiallychargedwithdrugpossessionforpersonaluseunderArticle276,paragraph2(a)oftheCriminalCode,thiswaschangedtodrugpossessionwithintenttosellunderArticles25and273.5oftheCriminalCode.Thetrialstartedon12September2008,andonlyAbdurakhmanov’srelativeswereallowedtobepresent.On10October2008,hewasgivena10-yearprisonsentence,whichwasupheldon19November2008,whentheSupremeCourtoverturnedhisappeal.On25March2009,theSupremeCourtforthesecondtimeupheldthe10-yearprisonsentenceagainstAbdurakhmanov,withoutexplainingthebasisofitsdecision.Areporton1April2011statedthatAbdurakhmanovwasprohibitedbythecolonyadministrationfromfilingacomplaint-inwhichhegavedetailsofhisarrestandreportedlyunfairconviction-withtheUzbekistanSupremeCourt.Thecolonyofficialsseizedtheletterofcomplaintfromhislawyersandsaidthedocumentwouldbemailedtohim,butitwasnot.Conditionsofdetention:ArelativewasbeenabletovisitwhoreportedinlateMarch2009,thatalthoughhehasbeenheldinisolation,hewasnotbeingill-treated.InlateApril2009Abdurakhmanovwasvisitedbyhisfatherandwife,andtheysaidhewasingoodspiritsand

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maintainedhisinnocence.Abdurakhmanovhasbeenaccusedtwice,betweenJuneandAugust2011,ofbreakingtherulesoftheprisoninwhichheisincarcerated.Hisrelativeshaveclaimedtheprisonauthoritieshavealsoaccusedthejournalistofanotheroffenceinordertoreducehischancesofbeingreleasedunderaprisoneramnestythatwasexpectedtoaccompanythecelebrationsmarkingthe20thanniversaryofUzbekindependenceon1September2014.HereceivedavisitfromalocalNGOinJanuary2014.Healthconcerns:InJune2013,itwasreportedthatAbdurakhmanov’shealthhaddramaticallydeclined.Hewasmovedforasecondtimein2013fromtheQashqadaryolabourtoaprisonhospitalinTashkent.InOctober2013,thejournalistwasreportedlyplacedinsolitaryconfinementuntil1November2013.Itwassuggestedinnewsreportsthatthismighthavebeeninretaliationforhisrelativesgivinganinterviewtothepressabouthisdeterioratinghealthinprison.Background:PriortohisarrestAbdurakhmanovhadexpressedconcernsthathemaysufferreprisalsforhiswritings.Hehadapparentlywrittenanarticlethatcriticisedlocaltrafficpoliceshortlybeforehisarrest.Otherinformation:InMay2009,theSpecialRapporteuronFreedomofExpressionandOpinionoftheUnitedNations(UN)publishedhisannualreport,includingcommunicationswiththeUzbekgovernmentregardingAbdurakhmanov’scase.Inthesecommunications,theUzbekgovernmentclaimedthatAbdurakhmanov’scarhadbeenstopped,andthathehadbeenfoundtobedrivingwithoutalicence.Italsosaidthatofficershadsearchedhiscar,hadfoundmarijuanaandopium,andthatAbdurakhmanovhadbeenindictedfirstlyunderArticle276,part2,paragraph(a),oftheCriminalCode,subsequentlychangedtoArticles25and273part5oftheCriminalCode.TheMinistryofInternalAffairsclaimednottohavereceivedanycomplaintregardingtheuseofunauthorisedmethodsduringtheinvestigation,andthatthecriminalproceedingswere‘notconnectedwithhishumanrightsactivities’.Awards:2014Johann-Philipp-Palm-AwardforFreedomofSpeechandthePressPENPosition:PENbelievesthatAbdurakhmanovisbeingheldinreprisalforhishumanrightsmonitoring.PENActions:RAN40/08–14August2008;Update#1–14October2008;Update#2–20January2009MuhammadBEKZHON(BEKJANOV):Profession:formerjournalist,formercontributortoErkDateofbirth:1955Sentence15years,reducedto12years(expiredJanuary2012)Secondsentence:Fouryears8monthsExpiresJanuary2017(seebelow)Dateofarrest:15March1999Detailsofarrest:DeportedfromUkraineinMarch1999onaccusationofinvolvementinaseriesofexplosionsinTashkent.Severalotherswerealsoarrestedinconnectionwiththeseevents(seeMakhmudov,below).Currentplaceofdetention:Kasanprison,southwesternUzbekistanDetailsoftrial:ItisthoughtthathisarrestislinkedtohisassociationwiththeexiledoppositionleaderMuhammedSalihandthatthechargesarelinkedtohisworkonErk,theoppositionparty’snewspaper,althoughithasbeenbannedsince1994.Someofthedefendantsinthetrialhavetestifiedtohavingbeentorturedunderinterrogationincludingbeatings,electricshockandthreatofrapeoffemalefamilymembers.InAugust1999,Bekjanovwassentencedto15yearsinprison,convictedof‘publishinganddistributingabannednewspapercontainingslanderouscriticismofPresidentIslamKarimov’;‘participatinginabannedpoliticalprotest’;and‘attemptingtooverthrowtheregime’.Inaddition,thecourtfoundthemguiltyof‘illegallyleavingthecountryanddamagingtheirUzbekpassports’.Thesentencewaslaterreducedbyone-fifth.AfterweeksofuncertaintyoverwhathadhappenedtoBekjanovwhenhewasdueforrelease,hislawyereventuallyinformedrelativeson23January2012thatamobilecourthadheldhearingsatthelabourcampovertheweekendof21-22JanuaryandfoundBekjanovguiltyofbeatingthreeotherinmates.Hewassentencedtoanadditionalfouryearandeightmonthsinjailasaresult.InJuly2015,itwasreportedthathislawyerhadnotbeenabletoseehimsinceApril2015.Conditionsofdetention:TheUNSpecialRapporteuronTortureinhis2003reportreferredtoallegationsoftortureresultinginBekjanov’slegbeingbroken.TheUzbekgovernmentrespondedtotheRapporteurdeniedthat‘moralorphysicalpressure’hadbeenapplied.InOctober2006,hiswifewasabletovisithiminprisonandreportsthathewasstillsufferingbeatings,andthathehadlostmostofhisteeth.Healthconcerns:BekjanovcontractedTuberculosisinprison,forwhichhereceivedtreatment.Concernsforhishealth

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remainedacuteHehasreportedlylosthishearinginoneear,allegedlytomistreatmentinprisonandsuffersfromahernia.Hehaslostmostofhisteeth.Otherinformation:WiferesidentintheUSA.Brotherofexiledoppositionleader,MuhammadSalih.HonoraryMember:EnglishPEN,PENAmericanCenter,PENUSA,PENCanada.BobomuradRAZZAKOV:Profession:humanrightsdefenderandsometimelocalcorrespondentforforeignpress.HeischairmanoftheBukhararegionbranchofEzgulik(Compassion),Uzbekistan’sonlylegallyregisteredindependenthumanrightsgroup.HeisalsoamemberoftheunregisteredpoliticaloppositionpartyErk(Freedom)DateofBirth:c.1953Sentence:FouryearsinprisonDateofarrest:10July2013Detailsoftrial:Convictedofhumantrafficking(underArticle135oftheUzbekCriminalCode)on24September2013.ThechargeagainstRazzakovwasallegedlybasedonthecomplaintofalocalwomanwhoaccusedhimofforcingherintothecustodyofapersonwhopressedherintoprostitution.AccordingtoRazzakov,theallegedvictimapproachedhimseveraldaysbeforehisarrestaskinghishelpinfindingarelativeinRussiawhowasmissing.Razzakov’sstate-appointedlawyerbelievesthewomanwaspressuredbyUzbeksecurityservicestotestifyfalselyagainsthim.Histrialbeganon26August2013intheBukhararegioncriminalcourt.Rightsgroups,includingHumanRightsWatch,considerthechargesagainsthimtobefabricatedinretaliationforhishumanrightswork.Currentplaceofdetention:PrisonNo.64/3inTavaksay,TashkentregionBackground:Razzakovhasworkedasalocalcorrespondentforforeignmediaandisknownfortakingonlocalcorruptionandappealingtotheregionaladministration,theprosecutor’soffice,andthepresidentonbehalfoflocalfarmersandothers.AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch,priortohisarrestRazzakovtoldthemediaandlocalhumanrightsgroupsthathehadcomeunderincreasedpressurefromthelocalsecurityservicesoverhishumanrightsactivities.On10June2013,hewasreportedlysummonedforatwo-hourinterrogationbytheheadofBukhara’scounterterrorismcriminalinvestigationunitintheDepartmentofInternalAffairs,whoorderedhimtoresignfromEzgulikandceaseallcontactwithforeignmediaorganisations.Razzakovsaidthathewastoldthatharmwouldcometohimandhisfamilyifhedidnotstophishumanrightswork.Otherinformation:In2015,FreedomNowandthelawfirmDechertsubmittedapetitiontotheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention.

DilmurodSAIDOV(pennameSAYYID):Profession:journalistforanumberofindependentwebsitesandmemberofthehumanrightsorganisationEzgulik.Saidov’sreportshavebeenpublishedinvariouslocalnewspapersandnewswebsitesinCentralAsia,includingVoiceofFreedom.SaidovisalsoanactivistoftheTashkentregionalbranchofthehumanrightsorganisationEzgulik.Dateofbirth:26April1962Sentence:12andahalfyearsDateofarrest:22February2009Currentplaceofdetention:InDecember2013,hewasvisitedbyhisbrotherinaPenalColonyinKarshi,wherehehadbeentransferredafterreceivingtreatmentfortuberculosisinaprisonhospital.Detailsoftrial:Chargedwithextortion(alongwithtwofarmers)andforgery.ThetrialwasheardattheTaylakDistrictCourt,wherethesentencewasannouncedinaclosedsession,intheabsenceofhisdefenceandfamily,astheyhadnotbeeninformedofthedateofthetrail.Therearereportsthatthetrialwasriddledwithproceduralviolations,andthatvariouswitnesseswithdrewtheirtestimonies.Thereisanaccount,forinstance,thatawitnesstestifiedagainstSaidovsayingthatshewasforcedbythejournalisttoextortmoneyfromalocalbusinessman.However,afterwardsthewitnessretractedinfullherstatement,butthetrialcontinued.Thetwofarmersweresentencedto11yearsinprisonandtheotherto12years.AccordingtohisbrotherObid,byAugust2011Saidovhadbeenfoundtohavebrokenprisonrulesfivetimes.Accordingtohim,thismeantthattheamnestyannouncedinUzbekistaninDecember2011,tomarkthe19thanniversaryofUzbekistan’sconstitution,couldnotbeappliedtoSaidov.HisconvictionhasbeenupheldtwiceonappealandtheSupremeCourthasrejectedhispetitionforareviewofhiscase.Conditionsofdetention:SaidovwasreportedlyputinapenalcolonyinNavoifrom26to29April2011forallegedlybreakingprisonrules,althoughdetailsoftheallegedviolation

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remainunknown.Healthconcerns:Hesuffersfromtuberculosisandrequiresregularmedicaltreatment.Background:TherearereportsthatSaidov’sconvictionislinkedtohisreportsonabuseofpowerandcorruptioninsomelocalgovernmentoffices,suchashisarticlesonallegedillegalconfiscationsoffarmers’landbylocalauthorities.Otherinformation:InearlyNovember2009,Saidov’swifeanddaughter,agedsix,werekilledinacaraccidentwhileontheirwaytovisithiminprison.SaidovhasbeenmentionedinseveralHumanRightsWatchstatementsaboutUzbekistanin2016.HonoraryMember:PENCanada.PENActions:RAN32/10–10August2009;RAN12/129March2012

JudicialconcernBotirbekESHKUZIYEV,BahromIBRAGIMOV,DavronKABILOVandRavshanbekVAFOYEV:Profession:Co-foundersofaneducationalsciencemagazineIrmoqDateofbirth:1978,1977,1973,and1971,respectivelySentence:IbragimovandKabilovweresentencedto12yearsinprison,Vafoyevto10years,andEshkuziyevtoeightyearsDateofarrest:2009Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch,BahromIbragimovwasarrestedon27June2008onallegationsthatheactivelyrecruitedfortheNurmovementamongformerclassmates.Eshkuziyev,KabilovandVafoyevweredetainedon16August2008,andallfivewereaccusedofreceivingfundingforIrmoqfromradicalNurleadersinKazakhstan.Theywerealsoaccusedofengaginginproselytismandholding‘unsanctionedreligiousmeetings.’Afifthman,AbdulazizDadahonovwasarrestedwiththemandsentencedtoeightyearsinprison,butwasreleasedin2012followingsustainedinternationalpressure.Currentplaceofdetention:ahigh-securityprisoninTashkent(SeealsoShavkatIsmoilovandDavronTajiyevbelow.)Detailsoftrial:Sentencedon16February2009underArticle244.2(‘preparinganddistributingliteratureposingathreattopublicsecurityandorder’)andArticle244.1(‘participatinginabannedreligiousorganisation’).Trialmonitorsreportedthatthetrialwasmarredbyotherproceduralviolations,includingthecourt’srefusaltoallowthedefendantstochallengethestate-appointedexperts’testimonythatIrmoqisan‘extremist’publication.InApril2009,theTashkentCityCriminalCourtrejectedthedefendants’appeal.Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch,thejournalistsdeniedthechargesandallegedSNBofficerstorturedthemduringtheinvestigationincludingbybeatingsandtheinsertionofneedlesundertheirfingernailstoextractconfessions.Asaresultofthisallegedtorture,allfivemenultimatelysigned‘lettersofregret,’admittingpartialguilt.Background:NurwasfoundedbyKurdishclericSaidNursi.Inthe1990s,Nursi-inspiredTurkishscholarFethullahGullenfinancedindependentschoolsinUzekistanwhichwerecloseddownbytheauthoritiesin1999amiddeterioratingTurkish-Ubekistanrelations.Accordingtotheauthorities,theschoolsinstilledabeliefinthesupremacyoftheTurkishgovernmentandpromotedNursi’steachings.NurhasbeenlistedasabannedreligiousorganisationbytheUzbekReligiousAffairsCommitteesince2000andtheUzbekSecurityServicehasreportedlyallegedthatNurreceivedfundsfromTurkeytocreateapan-Turkicstate.Althoughsociallyconservative,Nurisnotknowntohaveadvocatedviolence.PENposition:PENisconcernedatthereportsoftortureandirregularityinthetrialofthesemen.Itisalsoconcernedthatthechargesbroughtagainstthemarepolitically-motivatedtobolsterthepositionoftherepressivegovernment.Assuch,itiscallingfortheirrelease.Ifthereisanyevidencethatanyofthemhaveusedoradvocatedviolence,theyshouldbetriedonfreshchargesinproceedingswhichmeetinternationalfairtrialstandards.Shavkat(Farhod)ISMAILOV,Profession:directorofthemagazineYettiIklim(SevenDimensions)DavronTAJIYEV,Profession:editorofthemagazineYettiIklim(SevenDimensions)Sentence:EightyearsinprisonDateofarrest:6November2008Detailsoftrial:On8April2009IsmailovandTajiyevwereconvictedofallegedly‘creating,leadingorparticipatinginreligiousextremist,separatist,orotherbannedorganisations’,accordingtoArticle244(2)oftheCriminalCodeinrelationtotheirallegedlinkstothereligiousorganisationNur(seeBotirbekEshkuziyev,

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BahromIbragimov,DavronKabilovandRavshanbekVafoyevabove).TheywerebelievedtostillbeinprisonasofJune2015.Nonewsasof30June2016.PENposition:PENisconcernedatthereportsoftortureandirregularityinthetrialofthesemen.Itisalsoconcernedthatthechargesbroughtagainstthemarepolitically-motivatedtobolsterthepositionoftherepressivegovernment.Assuch,itiscallingfortheirrelease.Ifthereisanyevidencethatanyofthemhaveusedoradvocatedviolence,theyshouldbetriedonfreshchargesinproceedingswhichmeetinternationalfairtrialstandards.

ReportedmissingDzhamshid(Jamshid)KARIMOV:Profession:journalistfortheLondon-basedInstituteofWarandPeaceReporting(IWPR)untilMay2005andsubsequentlyforanumberofotherpublicationsDateofbirth:1967Dateofdisappearance:Accordingtouznews.net,Karimovdisappearedon18January2012Detailsofdisappearance:Hewasstillintouchwithhisfriendsandcolleaguestheweekbeforehisarrest,butsuddenlystoppedrespondingtotheire-mailsandhisphonewasdisconnected.Accordingtohiscolleaguetherearethreepossibleexplanations:hemighthavebeentakenbacktothepsychiatrichospitalinwhichhehadbeenpreviouslyplaced(seepreviousdisappearance/detention),hemightbeunderhousearrestorhemighthavegonetoordinaryhospitalduetothepsychotropicdrugshewasforcedtotake.ReportersWithoutBordershavesuggestedthatKarimovcouldbeinPrisonordetentionwithotherUzbekjournalists.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Previousdisappearance/detention:Karimovdisappearedon12September2006.Twoweekslater,hisfriendswereabletoascertainthatKarimovwasheldinapsychiatrichospitalinSamarkand,wherehewaskeptuntilhisreleaseon6November2011.KarimovwasreleasedjustbeforetheMuslimfestivalofEidal-Adha.ItwasallegedthathisreleasewasaconsequenceofpledgesgivenbytheUzbekauthoritiestoU.S.SecretaryofStateHilaryClintonwhenshevisitedUzbekistanon22October2011.Karimovisreportedtohavesufferedseriousdamagetohishealthduetotheforcedadministrationofpsychotropicdrugs.Personaldetails:KarimovisanephewofPresidentIslamKarimovand,accordingtoCPJ,issaidtohavebeenopenlycriticalofhisuncleandtobelivinginpoverty.Honorarymember:EnglishPEN.PENAction:RAN61/11–30November2011.PENisseekingfurtherinformation.

MIDDLEEASTANDNORTHAFRICA

ALGERIA

Imprisoned-maincase

*MohamedTAMALTProfession:JournalistSentence:twoyearsinprisonandafineof200,000Algeriandinars(aboutUS$1800)Dateofarrest:27June2016Detailsofarrest:TamaltwasallegedlyarrestedinfrontofhishomeinAlgiersandtakenintocustody.Currentplaceofdetention:El-HarrachprisoninAlgiersDetailsoftrial:TamaltreportedlyappearedbeforethePublicProsecutoron28June2016,wherehewasaccusedof‘offending’thePresidentandpublicinstitutionsunderArticles144bis(insultingthePresident)and146oftheAlgerianPenalCode(publicinsult,offenceanddefamationagainstthePresidentandotherpublicofficials).ThisisreportedlyinconnectionwithFacebookpostshemade,includingonevideopostedon2April2016,whichshowedasubversivepoemalongwithimagesofthePresident.Reportsstatethatduringahearingon4July2016,thecourtrejectedarequestforTamalttobereleasedonbail,causinghislawyerstowithdrawinprotestatwhattheyconsidertobehisarbitrarydetention.Inasecondhearingon11July,Tamaltwassentencedtotwoyearsinprisonandafineof200,000Algeriandinars(aboutUS$1800)forinsultingthePresidentandotherAlgerian

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officials.Hewassentencedunderthosearticlesdespiteanamendmentin2011whichremovedprisonasapunishment.AccordingtoTamalt’slawyer,thechargesonwhichhehasbeenconvictedarepunishableunderAlgeria’spenalcodewithafine,butdonotcarryaprisonsentence.Tamalt’slawyerreportedlyintendstoappealtheprisonsentence.Healthconcerns:Tamalthasbeenonhungerstrikesincehisarreston27June2016.Background:TamaltisaBritish-AlgerianjournalistwhoalsopublishesanonlinemagazinecalledArabContext.Hehasalargefollowingonsocialmedia,andfrequentlycommentsontheallegedcorruptionoftheAlgeriangovernment.HeobtainedasylumintheUKin2007,afterhefledAlgeriawhenthreatsweremadeagainsthimfromthemilitaryandintelligenceservicesinrelationtohispublications.HehadreturnedtoAlgeriainJune2016forapersonalvisitwhenhewasarrested.PENposition:PENInternationalbelievesthatfreedomofexpressionincludestherighttooffend,particularlywithinthecontextofthoughtsandopinionsrelatingtopublicofficials.TheHumanRightsCommittee,whichoverseestheimplementationoftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightstowhichAlgeriaisastateparty,hasmadeclearthatthe‘merefactthatformsofexpressionareconsideredtobeinsultingtoapublicfigureisnotsufficienttojustifytheimpositionofpenalties’.Humanrightsbodieshavepointedoutthatheadsofstateandpublicfiguresshouldtolerateahigherdegreeofcriticismthanordinarycitizens.[Stoppress:On9August2016,anAlgiersappealscourtupheldhistwo-yearsentence.Accordingtoreports,TamaltslippedintoacomainAugustandhediedinanAlgerianhospitalon11December2016,allegedlyfromalunginfectionforwhichhehadbeenreceivingtreatment.]

Ontrial

*ZouleikhaBELARBI(f):Profession:HumanrightsactivistandsocialmediauserSentence:100,000dinarfine(US$924)Dateofarrest:20October2015Detailsofarrest:BelarbiwasoriginallyarrestedafterpostingasatiricalimageoftheAlgerianPresidentandotherAlgerianpoliticians,photo-shoppedontothatofawell-knownandpopularTurkishsoapdrama,alongwithacaptionthatread:’Idon'tknowwhenthisseriesofBouteflika'swillcometoanendandwhenhewillawakefromhisdreamthathasturnedintoanightmare,whichthreatensthefutureofAlgeriaanditspeople.’Shewasreportedlyheldfor24hoursbeforebeingreleasedonjudicialsupervision;whenshewasarrestedherfamilyhomewasraided,andhercomputer,laptopandSIMcardwereconfiscated.ItwasreportedinthemediathatBelarbisaidthatshewastreatedlikeaterrorist.Dateofrelease:21October2015Dateoftrial:20March2016Detailsoftrial:ItwasreportedthatBelarbiwasontrialforthreeseparatecharges,includingdefamation,andthattheprosecutororiginallydemandedathree-monthsuspendedsentenceandafine.Belarbiwaschargedunderarticle144bisoftheAlgerianPenalCodefordefamingthePresident,accordingtoreports.Shewasacquittedofthetwootherchargesofdefamationand‘harmingastateinstitution’.Duringthetrial,Belarbistatedthatalthoughshehadpostedtheimage,shehadfounditonlineandhadnotcreateditherself.On2April,Belarbi'slawyerreportedlysaidthatBelarbiwouldfileanappealon26April,althoughasof30June2016,therewasnofurthernews.

Released

MohamedCHERGUI(orMohamedSHARKI):Profession:Formereditorforthegovernment-ownednewspaperElDjoumhouriaSentence:One-yearsuspendedsentence,overturnedonappeal.Detailsoftrial:Cherguiwassentencedinabsentiaon24February2015for‘insultingtheProphet’.Heoriginallyreceivedathree-yearprisontermandafineof200,000Algeriandinars(aroundUS$1,900)inabsentia,whichwaslaterreducedtoaone-yearsuspendedsentenceinNovember2015.On12April2016,itwasreportedthattheCourtofAppealofOrandeclaredCherguiinnocentandgrantedhimrelease.Otherinformation:The

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journalist,whoranaweeklypageonIslam,hadsubmittedanarticlebasedonresearchbyaEuropeanresearcheronQur’anicexpressions,whichwasconsideredbythemanagementofthenewspaperasan‘insult’totheProphet.InJune2014ElDjoumhouriafiredCherguiand,twomonthslater,filedacomplaintagainsthim,accusinghimofblasphemy.

BAHRAIN

Imprisoned-maincase

AbdulhadiAL-KHAWAJA:Profession:LeadinghumanrightsdefenderSentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:9April2011Detailsofarrest:Al-Khawajawasarrestedfromhishomeandchargedundernationalsecurityandcounter-terrorismlegislationforhisroleinthepro-democracyproteststhatbeguninFebruary2011.Hewasbadlybeatenduringhisarrest.Detailsoftrial:Al-Khawajawasamong21oppositionactiviststobeconvictedbyaspecialsecuritycourton22June2011of‘plottingtooverthrowthegovernment'followingawaveofprotestswhichsweptthecountryinFebruaryandMarchthatyear(seebelowAbdulJalilal-Singace).On28September2011,themilitary-runNationalSafetyCourtofAppealconfirmedhisconvictionandsentenceoflifeimprisonment.Thetrialdidnotmeetwithinternationalstandardsoffairness,andtherehasbeennoindependentinvestigationintohisallegationsoftortureinpre-trialdetention.On30April2012theCourtofCassationorderedaretrialinthecase.Aftertheretrial,Abdulhadial-Khawajawassentencedtolifeimprisonment,adecisionconfirmedbytheHighCourtofAppealsinBahrainCourton4September2012.Placeofdetention:GuraynMilitaryPrisonConditionsofdetention:Therewereallegationsoftortureduringpre-trialdetention,whileAl-Khawajaandtheotherdetaineeswereheldincommunicado.Inoneoftheearlierhearingsatcourt,priortothesentence,whenal-Khawajaandotherstriedtospeakoutabouthavingbeentorturedindetention,theywereremovedfromcourt,takenoutsideandbeaten,resultinginal-Khawajahavingtobetakentothemilitaryhospital.On26August2014,hewentonhungerstrikeinprotestathisarbitraryimprisonmentanddetentionconditions,whichheendedamonthlateron23September2014.Healthconcerns:Abdulhadial-Khawajaisstillsufferingtheeffectsoftherepeatedbeatingstohisfacewithproblemswithhisjawandteethandwasexpectedtohavefurthermedicaltreatmenttoassesstheextentofthelong-termdamage.Al-Khawajaunderwentathree-weekhungerstrikestarting2March2015,andaone-monthhungerstrikestarting20April2015inprotestathiscontinuedarbitrarydetentionandill-treatmentwhileinprison.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:TheUnitedNationsWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention(UNWGAD)inanopiniondatedJune2012foundAbdulhadial-Khawaja’sdetentiontobearbitraryandcalledontheGovernmentofBahraintoreleasehim.Background:Abdulhadial-Khawajahasalonghistoryofpoliticalpersecution.After12yearsinexilehereturnedtoBahrainin1999followingwide-rangingpoliticalreformsthatallowedindependenthumanrightsgroupstooperateinthecountry.In2002heco-foundedtheBahrainCentreforHumanRights(BCHR),amemberoftheInternationalFreedomofExpressionExchange(IFEX),andhassinceworkedinnumerousrolesforvariousregionalandinternationalhumanrightsorganisations.Mostrecently,hewastheMiddleEastandNorthAfricaregionalcampaignerwithFrontLineDefenders.In2004hewasheldfortwomonthsforhispoliticalactivism,andhasbeensubjecttoregularthreats,travelrestrictionsandharassment.PENAction:RAN46/10andupdates,trialobservationSeptember2011,PEN2011UPRSubmissiononBahrain,Jointappeal7March2012,OpenlettertoHilaryClinton14August2012,jointopenletters/statements9April2012,18May2012,9April2014and24October2014.

DrAbdulJalilAL-SINGACE:Profession:ActivistandinternetwriterSentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:16March2011Detailsofarrest:Dral-SingacewasarrestedatBahrainInternationalAirportonhisreturnfrom

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Londonon13August2010,wherehehadbeenattendingaconferenceattheHouseofLordsduringwhichhehadcriticisedBahrain'shumanrightspractices.Hewasinitiallyaccusedofincitingviolenceandterroristacts,beforebeingformallychargedundernationalsecurityandcounter-terrorismlegislation.Heand21otheroppositionactivistsontrialwithhimwerefreedinFebruary2011followingwidespreadcallsbyanti-governmentprotestorsforpoliticalreformandthereleaseofpoliticalprisoners.Hewasre-arrestedon16March2011afterpublicisingthedeterioratinghumanrightssituationinthecountryfollowingawaveofprotestswhichsweptthecountryinFebruaryandMarchthatyear,andwaslaterplacedunderhousearrest.Currentplaceofdetention:JauPrison,Bahrain.Detailsoftrial:Dral-Singacewasamong21oppositionactiviststobeconvictedbyaspecialsecuritycourton22June2011.Accordingtoagovernmentresponseof12October2010toanurgentappealofseveralhumanrightsmechanismson15September2010,hewaschargedwith(1)Founding,organisingandmanaginganoutlawedorganisationwiththeaimofviolatingthelawanddisruptingprovisionsoftheconstitutionandtopreventpublicauthoritiesfromexercisingtheirdutiesusingterrorism;(2)Incitingtoactsofsabotage,destruction,andarson;(3)Disseminatinghatredandmockeryofthepoliticalregime;(4)Publiclyinstigatingsectarianhatredwhichdisturbscivilpeace;(5)Spreadingprovocativepropaganda,news,andfalsestatementstodestabilizepublicsecurityandcausedamagestopublicinterests;(6)Raisingfundsforanorganisationthatisinvolvedinterroristactsinsidethecountry,willinglyandknowingly.Eightofthoseconvictedreceivedlifesentences,includingDral-Singace.Afurther10weresentencedto15yearsinprison,tworeceivedfive-yeartermsandoneatwo-yearprisonsentence.Thetrialdidnotmeetwithinternationalstandardsoffairness,andtherehasbeennoindependentinvestigationintohisallegationsoftortureinpre-trialdetention.On28September2011themilitary-runNationalSafetyCourtofAppealconfirmedtheconviction.On30April2012theCourtofCassationorderedaretrialinthecase.Aftertheretrial,Dr.Abduljalilal-Singacewassentencedtolifeimprisonment,adecisionconfirmedbytheHighCourtofAppealsinBahrainCourton4September2012.TheCourtofCassationupheldhisconvictionandsentenceon7January2013.Conditionsofdetention:Dral-Singacewasheldincommunicadoandinsolitaryconfinementforsixmonths,duringwhichtimeheallegeshewastortured,includingthroughbeatings,prolongedsolitaryconfinementina2mx3mcell,threatsofrapeandthreatsofrapeofhisdaughter.Hewasnotallowedtoreceivevisitsofcondolencewhenhisnephewdied.Healthconcerns:Dral-Singaceisdisabled,andreliesonawheel-chairforhismobility.InOctober2013hisfamilyandlawyerreportedthathehadnotreceivedanymedicalattentionsinceMarch2013,andthathishealthwasseriouslydeteriorating.Atleast14differentappointmentshadbeenrepeatedlycancelled.Theseappointmentswerewiththeskindiseaseclinic,theheartdiseaseclinic,andtheoptician'sclinicattheBahrainDefenseForceHospital,aswellasthePrisonclinic.Dral-SingacerequirescareforadamagedeardrumforwhichhesawadoctorinearlySeptember2014.Healsorequiresanoperationtotreatanasalsinusinflammation,asconfirmedbyanENTConsultantatSalmanyiaHospitalinthepresenceoftheprisondoctor.Dral-Singacealsosuffersfromanenlargedprostateandashoulderinjury.Furthermore,herequiresanewexaminationformedicalglassesashisvisionhasalsodeteriorated.Althoughhereportedlyreceivedsomelimitedmedicalcareinearly2014,hishealthconditionwasstillreportedlypoorattheendoftheyear.On21March2015hestartedahungerstrikeinprotestoftheprisonconditionsinJawwhichhewascontinuingattheendoftheyear.On2November2015hewasgrantedatemporaryreleasesothathecouldattendtohismothers’funeral,afterwhichhereturnedtoprison.AccordingtoJune2016reports,Dral-Singacehasbeendeniednecessarymedicaltreatment,suchasvitamins.Background:Dral-SingacetaughtengineeringattheUniversityofBahrainandauthoredhisownblog(http://alsingace.blogspot.com/).HeisheadofthehumanrightsofficeoftheHaqMovementforLibertyandDemocracyAwards:Recipientofthe2012Hellman/Hammettaward,ICPC’s2015LiuXiaoboCouragetoWriteAward.PENActions:RAN46/10andupdatesincluding#7of25September2014,#8of6May2015,#9of6November2015,trialobservationSeptember2011,PEN2011UPRSubmission,DayoftheImprisonedWritercase2011,JointOpenLetters/statements9May2012,28

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October2014,Pressstatement25October2012;Jointstatement3July2015;JointAppeal27August2015;JointAppeal7October2015;jointappeal6November2015;Jointstatement15January2016

Detained-maincase

MahmoodAL-JAZEERIProfession:JournalistfordailynewspaperAlWasatDateofarrest:28December2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,on28December2015securityforcesraidedal-Jazeeri’sapartment,seizinghislaptopandmobiletelephonebeforeplacinghimindetention.InJanuary2016hewasreportedlychargedwithterroristactivitiesandplottingwiththeIranianRevolutionaryGuardsandHezbollah.Al-Jazeerihasonlybeenpermittedtomakeshortphonecallstohisfamilytoinformthemofhisdetention.Currentplaceofdetention:GeneralDirectorateofCriminalInvestigationsBackground:Al-JazeeriisapoliticalcorrespondentfortheoppositiondailynewspaperAlWasat,andhaspublishedarticlesonarangeoftopics,including:politicaldetainees;discussionsintheShuraCouncilandinParliament;andopinionarticlesinwhichheblamedworldandregionalpowersforwhathecalledthe"failures"ofthe2011uprisingscollectivelycalledthe"ArabSpring,"criticisedthelackofcompromiseintheregion'sconflicts,andcalledforcloserrelationshipsbetweenpredominantlySunniandShiitecountriesintheregion.Thedaybeforehisarrest,hepublishedanarticleaboutanewbillproposedintheShuraCouncil,whichstatesthatifamanattheheadofafamilyhashisnationalityrevokedfortheirpoliticalactivities,heandhisfamilywillbedeprivedofgovernmenthousing.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,thechargesagainstal-JazeericameamidadeepeningdiplomaticriftbetweenIranandSaudiArabiaanditsallies,includingBahrain,afterSaudiArabiaexecutedprominentShiiteclericNimrAl-Nimron2January2016.Italsofollowedyearsofofficialpersecution–includingthe2011deathincustodyofafoundinginvestor–ofAl-Wasatstaff.

*TaibaISMAEEL(f)Profession:NetizenDateofarrest:26June2016Detailsofarrest:IsmaeelwasreportedlyarrestedatherhomebytheBahrainiauthorities.Securityforcesreportedlyenteredherhousewithoutanarrestwarrantandconfiscatedherphone.Shewasinterrogatedbythepublicprosecutionthefollowingday,andallegedlychargedwith‘insultingtheKing’incommentspostedonTwitterunderapseudonym.Ismaeelwasremandedindetentionforsevendays.Conditionsindetention:Ismaeelreportedlyclaimedthatshewassubjectedtopsychologicalpressureduringherinterrogation.Background:Ismaeel’sarrestwaspartofawidercrackdownwitnessedinBahraininJune2016(seeNabeelRajabbelow),whentheauthoritiesblockedthewebsitesofthelargestpoliticalsocietyinthecountry,Al-WefaqIslamicPoliticalSociety,followingitsclosure.TheauthoritieslikewiseblockedthewebsiteoftheIslamicEnlightenment(Al-Tawyea)Society.TheBahrainigovernmentalsorepeatedlyblockedthewebsiteaddressesofLuaLuaTV,forcingittochangeitsaddressfourtimesinoneweek.Accesstotheonlinenewssite‘Raialyoum’wasalsorestrictedduetothecriticalstanceadoptedinanarticlewrittenbyitsChiefEditor.TheInternetconnectioninBahrainwasalsointerruptedandsloweddownaroundthetimeandlocationofmassprotestsinDeraz.Moreover,arecentinvestigationbyBahrainWatchhasraisedconcernovertheblockingofthepopularmessagingappTelegrambyleadingBahrainiISPs.TherehasalsobeenareportedincreaseinautomatictwitteraccountscreatedtomanipulateinformationonlineandspreadsectarianmessagesinBahrain.[Stoppress:ThejudgereportedlyextendedIsmaeel’sdetentionforafurther15dayson4July2016,pendinginvestigation.]

*KhalilAL-MADHOONProfession:ArtistDateofarrest:27June2016Detailsofarrest:Al-Madhoonwasreportedlysummonedforinterrogationbytheauthoritiesandwassubsequentlychargedwith‘insultingtheKing’,inrelationtoacommentpostedonInstagram.Al-Madhoonwasremandedindetentionfor

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sevendayson29June2016.Background:Al-Madhoonisanartistandformerpoliticaldetaineewhosurvivedtorturewhenhewastargetedin2011forbeingthesonofawantedoppositionspeakerwholivesinexilefromBahrain.Hehasalsobeenrepeatedlydiscriminatedagainst,havinghadhisapplicationforateachingpostattheMinistryofEducationrejectedforthreeconsecutiveyears.Accordingtonewsreports,al-MadhounwastheonlymaleArtsgraduatetoapplyfortherole.Al-Madhoon’sarrestwaspartofawidercrackdownwitnessedinBahraininJune2016(seealsoNabeelRajabandTaibaIsmaeelunder‘Detained-MainCase’),whentheauthoritiesblockedthewebsitesofthelargestpoliticalsocietyinthecountry,Al-WefaqIslamicPoliticalSociety,followingitsclosure.TheauthoritieslikewiseblockedthewebsiteoftheIslamicEnlightenment(Al-Tawyea)Society.TheBahrainigovernmentalsorepeatedlyblockedthewebsiteaddressesofLuaLuaTV,forcingittochangeitsaddressfourtimesinoneweek.Accesstotheonlinenewssite‘Raialyoum’wasalsorestrictedduetothecriticalstanceadoptedinanarticlewrittenbyitsChiefEditor.TheInternetconnectioninBahrainwasalsointerruptedandsloweddownaroundthetimeandlocationofmassprotestsinDeraz.Moreover,arecentinvestigationbyBahrainWatchhasraisedconcernovertheblockingofthepopularmessagingappTelegrambyleadingBahrainiISPs.TherehasalsobeenareportedincreaseinautomatictwitteraccountscreatedtomanipulateinformationonlineandspreadsectarianmessagesinBahrain.

NabeelRAJAB:Profession:Leadinghumanrightsdefender.PresidentofBahrainCentreforHumanRights(BCHR)andGulfCentreforHumanRights(GCHR)Dateofarrest:13June2016Detailsofarrest:RajabwasreportedlyarrestedathishomeinBaniJamra,westofManama,by15plainclothespolicemen.Rajab’sphoneandcomputerwereconfiscated,andhewastakentotheEastRifa’policestation,southofManama.Hewasreportedlychargedthenextdaywith‘spreadingfalseinformationandrumourswiththeaimofdiscreditingtheState’andwasorderedtobedetainedforsevendayspendinginvestigation.On21June,Rajab’sdetentionwasextendedforafurthereightdayspendinginvestigation.Currentplaceofdetention:WestRifa’policestationDetailsoftrial:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,Rajabwasinformedon26Junethathewouldstandtrialon12July2016onchargesof‘spreadingfalserumoursintimesofwar’and‘insultingpublicauthorities’.Hecouldreportedlyfaceupto13yearsinprisonifconvicted.Conditionsindetention:AccordingtotheBahrainCenterforHumanRights,Rajabisbeingdetainedinsolitaryconfinementinunsanitarylivingconditions.Healthconcerns:Medicaltestshaveshownthatheissufferingfromaurinarytractinfectionandlowmononucleosis,andmayneedtwodifferentoperationsforgallstonesandanenlargedgallbladder.Heisalsoreportedlysufferingfromanenlargedprostate.Rajabwashospitalisedon27June2016foranirregularheartbeat,afterreportedlycomplainingtohiswifeadayearlierofhighbloodpressureandaringinginhisears.Background:On20January2015,RajabwassentencedbytheThirdLowerCriminalCourttosixmonths’imprisonmentonchargesof‘insultingastatebody’(theministriesofinterioranddefence),thoughhepaid200BahrainiDinarstoremainfreeonbailpendinghisappeal.ThesentencewasupheldonappealinMay2015.On2April2015,Rajabwasarrestedonchargesof‘incitementofhatredagainsttheregime’inconnectiontohisdocumentationofmistreatmentandtortureinBahrain’sJauPrisoninhisarticleIntoBahrain’sJawsofHell.Asecondchargeof‘spreadingrumoursduringwartime’relatestohisreportingofciviliandeathsinYemen,incontraventionofagovernmentprohibitionofanypublicmentionthatiscriticaloftheconflict.Rajabwasreleasedon13July2015,thoughatravelbanwasplacedonhimonedaylater.SeepreviousCaseListforfulldetails.Otherinformation:2July2015UKparliamentearlydaymotioncalledforhisrelease;EuropeanParliamentstatementof7July2015.StatementbythreeUNSpecialRapporteurson16July2015.On19November2015,80membersoftheEuropeanParliamentissuedalettertoKingShaikhHamadbinIsaAl-KhalifademandingtheliftingofRajab’stravelbanandtodropallhischarges.Itwassignedby20otherinternationalNGOs,includingPENInternational.Awards:Rajabhasreceivedmanyprestigiousawardsforhisactivism,includingthe2011IonRatiuDemocracyAward,the2011SilburyPrizeandthe2012Indexon

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CensorshipFreedomofExpressionAdvocacyAward.PENaction:OpenlettertoHilaryClinton14August2012,Jointstatements:9October201428October2014,PENstatements:25October2012,20January2015,7April2015,16July2015,25January2016,13June2016[StopPress:Atrialhearingon2Augustwaspostponeduntil5September2016]

Briefdetention

ZAINABAL-KHAWAJA(f)(dualBahrainiandDanishnational)Profession:BloggerandhumanrightsdefenderSentence:(1)one-yearinprisonandafineof3,000Bahrainidinars(aboutUS$7,700)(2)16monthsinprison(3)ninemonthsinprisonDateofarrest:14March2016Dateofrelease:31May2016Detailsofarrest:Al-Khawajawasarrestedbysecurityofficersathomealongwithherson.ShewasheldincustodyatAl-HoorapolicestationbeforebeingtransferredtoIsaTownWomen’sPrison.Detailsofrelease:AccordingtoMiddleEastEye,al-Khawaja’sreleasefollowedrecommendationsmadebytheBahrainIndependentCommissionofInquirythatal-Khawajaandhersonbereleasedaftertheprosecutiondemandedareviewofhercase.Bahrain’sForeignMinistryisreportedtohavesaidthatherreleasewasgrantedonhumanitariangroundsduetoconcernforthewelfareofherchild.Al-Khawaja’schargesarestillupheld.Al-KhawajaleftBahrainforDenmarkuponherreleaseaftershewasthreatenedwithbeingimprisonedindefinitely.Detailsoftrial:(1)InOctober2014,al-KhawajawassentencedtothreeyearsinprisonfortearingupapictureofKingHamadbinIsaal-Khalifa.On21October2015,Bahrain’sCourtofAppealreducedhersentencetooneyearanda3,000Bahrainidinars(approx.US$7,700)fine,whichifshefailedtopaywouldresultinhersentencebeingincreasedby18months.(2)On3December2015,anappealhearingwasscheduledforherDecember2014convictionoftwomonths’imprisonmentfordestroyingpublicpropertybytearingupaphotooftheKingandoneyearinprisonfor‘insultingapublicofficial’.Al-Khawajaandherlawyerdecidedtoboycotttheappealhearingandthejudgedirectlyupheldthesentenceof16monthsinprisonanddeniedrightofappeal.(3)On2February2016,thecourtofappealupheldanine-monthprisonsentenceagainstZainabfortryingtovisitherfather,humanrightsdefenderAbdulhadial-KhawajainJauPrisonwhenhewasonhungerstrikeinAugust2014.Background:SheisthedaughterofAbdulhadial-Khawaja(seeaboveunderImprisoned-maincase).Since2011,al-KhawajahasbeenarrestedseveraltimesforherprodemocracyactivitiesseeRAN62/11andupdates.

Sentenced

GhadaJAMSHEER(f):Profession:Writer,humanrightsdefenderandheadoftheHeadoftheWomen'sPetitionCommittee,anorganisationwhichcampaignsfortherightsanddignityofwomenintheShari'ahfamilycourtsSentence:(1)20monthsinprison(2)oneyearinprison,suspendedforthreeyearsDateofarrest:(1)14September2014(2)28November2014Dateofrelease:(1)27November2014(2)15December2014Detailsofarrest:(1)Jamsheerwasarrestedinconnectionwith12complaintsregardinghertweetsfiledbyfiveindividualswhichtheyfound‘insulting’and‘defamatory’.InsomeofherpostsinherTwitteraccount,JamsheerhadreportedlybeencriticalofthemanagementofKingHamadUniversityHospitalinBahrainandreferredtoallegedcorruptioncasesthere.(2)HersecondarrestreportedlyrelatestoachargeofassaultingapoliceofficerinSeptember2014,achargewhichshewasunawareofatthetimeofherreleaseearlierthatdayDetailsofrelease:(1)Releasedonbailbutrearrested12hourslater.(2)ReleasedinDecember2014,fromtheIssaTownDetentionCentreforWomen,inManama,Bahrain’scapitalcity.Detailsoftrial:(2)On5May2015,theBahrainHighCriminalCourtsentencedJamsheertooneyear’simprisonment,suspendedforthreeyears,onthechargeofassaultingapoliceofficer.On26November2015,theBahrainHighCourtofAppealupheldthesuspendedone-yearprisonsentence.

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(1)On9June2015,theThirdLowerCriminalCourtsentencedherto20monthsinprisononchargesofdefamationinconnectionwithmessagespostedviaherTwitteraccountcriticisingallegedcorruptioninthemanagementofKingHamadhospitalinBahrain,whichisrunbymembersoftherulingfamily.Sheremainsfreeonbailof400BHD(US$800).(2)On22June2016,JamsheerwasreportedlysentencedonappealtooneyearinprisonbytheSecondHighCriminalCourtforfourcasesrelatedtohertweetsaboutcorruptionatKingHamadhospital(3)On1October2015,athirdtrialbeganbeforetheSecondLowerCriminalCourtonchargesof‘verbalandphysicalconfrontationwithapolicewoman’.Otherinformation:Jamsheerwaspreventedtravellingabroadformedicaltreatmenton14March2015andwastoldthatshewassubjecttoatravelban,despitenowrittennotificationofthebanhavingbeensenttoher.Background:AuthorofTheKillerandtheVictimintheShari'aCourtsinwhichsheexaminedthecommittee'smovementandthecasesofwomenwhowereaggrievedbyShari'averdicts.Jamsheerhasbeenpersecutedforheractivismandwritingsforoveradecade.In2005,shefacedthreeseparatecriminalchargesforallegedlycriticisinganumberoffamilycourtjudges.Thesechargesweredroppedon19June2005,butshehasbeenunderpermanentsurveillancesince2006.Herbloghttp://bahrain-eve.blogspot.co.uk/hasreportedlybeenblockedinBahrainsince2009andisreportedlypreventedfromappearingonpublicmedia.On29October2014,JamsheerappearedbeforetheThirdLowerCriminalCourtinthreecourthearingsonchargesrelatingtodefamation.Shewasfined100BahrainiDinarinoneofthecases,acquittedinanotherandgrantedbailuponthepaymentof50Dinarinthethirdcase.[Seepreviouscaselists]PENAction:JointstatementaboutsituationinBahrainreferringtoher2014arrest[StopPress:Jamsheerwasreleasedfromprisonon12December2016andsubstitutedtheremainderofherprisontermwithcommunityservice]

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EGYPT

Killed:impunity

ShaimaaEL-SABBAGH(f):Profession:PoetandactivistDateofdeath:24January2015Detailsofkilling:El-SabbaghreportedlydiedwhenshotwithapoliceshotgunduringapeacefulmarchtolayflowersinTahrirSquare,adaybeforethefourthanniversaryoftheJanuary2011revolutioninEgypt.Detailsofinvestigation:On11June2015,apoliceofficerwassentencedto15yearsinprisonforkillingel-Sabbagh.Hewasconvictedof‘actionthatledtothedeath’ofel-Sabbagh--alesserchargethanmurder,aswellas‘deliberatelywounding’otherprotesters.Accordingtonewsreports,thepoliceofficerappealedtheconvictionandhadhisconvictionoverturnedandare-trialwasordered.Otherinformation:SeventeenwitnessestothekillingwereacquittedofparticipatinginanillegalprotestinOctober2015.Thechargehadbeenbroughtaftertheytestifiedagainstthepolicefollowingthekilling.PENaction:statement13February2015

Imprisoned-maincase

AlaaAbdEL-FATTAH:Profession:Bloggerandactivist.WritesapopularblogManalaaestablishedwithhiswife,Manal.Sentence:FiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:28October2014Detailsofarrest:Rearrestedatthestartofhisretrialon28October2014.Currentplaceofdetention:ToraPrison,Egypt'snotoriousmaximumsecuritydetentioncentre.Detailsoftrial:Among25defendantstobesentencedto15yearsinprisoninabsentiaon11June2014bytheCairoCriminalCourtforviolatingthecontroversialProtestLaw.TheProtestLawwasissuedbyformerpresidentAdlyMansouron24November2013toregulatetherighttopeacefulassembly.ThecourtalsofinedthedefendantswithEGP100,000eachandorderedtheybeplacedunderpoliceobservationforfiveyearsafterservingtheirtimeinprison.InAugust2014Abdel-Fattahwasgrantedare-trialandhewasreleasedonbailalongwithtwoco-defendantson15September2014.On23February2015Abdel-FattahwasagainsentencedtofiveyearsinprisonforviolatingtheProtestLaw.Newsreportssuggestedthatheintendedtoappealhisconviction.HewasnotincludedinaPresidentialPardonofpoliticalprisonersinSeptember2015.Healthconcerns:Abdel-Fattahwasona100-dayhungerstrikebeforebeingsentenced,whichendedon11February2015.Accordingtonewsreports,hehaskidneyproblemsthatemergedafterhisfirsthungerstrikein2014.Otherinformation:TheUnitedNation’sWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentioninitsopiniondeliveredinJune2016foundthathewasarbitrarilydetainedasaresultofhisexerciseofhisrighttofreedomofopinionandhisparticipationinapeacefuldemonstrationon26November2013.Background:Followingtheuprisingof25January2011,Abdel-Fattahcontinuedtopromotefreeexpressionthroughonlineplatforms.Hestartedanation-widepeople'sinitiativeenablingcitizencollaborationinthedraftingoftheEgyptianConstitution.HeinitiatedandhostedTweet-Nadwas(‘Tweet-Symposiums’),thatbroughtactivistsandbloggersfromacrosstheworldintoTahrirSquare,toparticipateinopenformatdialogueaboutissuesrangingfromIslamismtoeconomicreform.Abdel-FattahhasbeenjailedorchargedundersuccessivegovernmentsinEgypt.In2006,whenhewasonly22,hewasjailedbytheMubarakgovernment.UndertheSupremeCounciloftheArmedForces(SCAF)hewasdetainedbythemilitaryprosecutionforallegedlyparticipatingintheMasperoclashesinOctober2011,whenmostlyChristianprotestersclashedwiththemilitary,leavingscoresdead.FormerPresidentMorsibroughtacaseagainsthimin2013andheisnowdetainedbythecurrentmilitarygovernmentheadedbyGeneralAbdel-Fattahel-Sisi.Abdel-Fattah(togetherwithhissisterMonaSeif)receivedaoneyearsuspendedsentenceinasimilar,but

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separate,trial,whichwasupheldonappealinMay2015.Onthenightof28November2013,securityforcesraidedAbdel-Fattah'shome.Hiswife,Manal,postedapictureonsocialmediashowingbloodstainsintheirbedroomwherehewasbeatenbysecurityforces,whoraidedthehomewithoutpresentinganarrestwarrant.Shealsoreportedbeingslapped.Mobilephonesandcomputersfoundattheirhomewereconfiscated.Hewasinitiallytaken,blindfoldedandhandcuffed,toaCentralSecurityForcescamponthehighwayroadbetweenCairoandAlexandria,knownas‘kilo10.5’,whichisnotanofficialplaceofdetention.On29November,prosecutorsorderedAlaaAbdel-Fattah’sdetentionforfourdays,pendinginvestigationsinconnectiontothepeacefulprotestinfrontoftheShuraCouncilwhichtookplaceon26November2013whichtheauthoritiesheldwereinviolationofarepressivenewlawgoverningpublicprotests.Releasedonbailpendingtrialon23March2014butrearrestedinJune2014afterhewassentenced.Releasedonbailon15September2014,butrearrestedon28October2014.Alsoontrialwith24others,includingformerPresidentMohamedMorsi(seebelowunderOntrial)Honorarymember:AustrianPENPENActions:Jointcallforrelease,23January2014;Statementwelcomingrelease24March2014,statement23February2015.

AhmedNAJI(orNAGYorNAJE),profession:WriterTarekAL-TAHER,profession:Editor-in-chiefofliterarymagazineAkhbaral-AdabSentence:On6February2016,NajiwassentencedtotwoyearsinprisonDetailsoftrial:On31October2015,acasewasreferredtotheCriminalCourtrelatingtotheserialisationofNaji’sbookTheUseofLifeintheliterarymagazineAkhbaral-Adabin2014.BothNajiandal-Taherwerechargedwithpublishing‘obscenesexualcontent’and‘defamingpublicmorals’afteracomplaintwaslodgedbyareaderinrelationtochaptersixofthenovel.ThecasefallsunderArticle178ofthePenalCodewhichcriminalisescontentthatviolatespublicmorals.Al-Taherwasalsochargedwithfailingtocarryouthisdutiesasaneditor.AhmedNajiwasacquittedatahearingon2January2016,whichtheprosecutionsubsequentlyappealed.On6February2016,Najiwassentencedtotwoyearsinprison.Accordingtoreports,thecourtruledthat‘theessentialconstructsofsocietyincludingreligion,traditionsandmoralvalues…aredeeplyrootedintheEgyptiansociety.Thedefendanthasgoneagainstthesevalueswithhispoisonousnovelbypublishingitschaptersinastate-ownedpublication.’Hehaslodgedanappealwhichhasyettobeheard.Articles67and71ofEgypt'sConstitutionprotectwriters,intellectualsandartistsfrombeingimprisonedfortheirworkorforcrimescommittedbywayofpublication.Otherinformation:Subjectofaworld-widereadingofhisworkon12May2016,includingbymanyPENCentresBackground:TheUseofLife(الحیاةmajornovel’sTheelements.fictionalandprosegraphic,comprisingnovelhybridais(استخدامthemeofsexandsexualityisnarratedthroughthecharacterofBassam,amanlostinsidea‘spiderwebofemotionalfrustrationandfailure’.Chapter6ofthenovelwaspublishedinthemagazineAkhbaral-Adab,andincludesadescriptionofsexanddruguse.Aswithanyforeignprintedbook,itwasapprovedbythePublicationsCensorshipAuthoritybeforeanycopieswerepermittedtoenterEgypt.Chapter6canbereadhere.Thebookhasnotbeenbannedortakenofftheshelves.Awards:2016PEN/BARBEYFreedomtoWriteawardPENActions:RAN05/16andupdates[Stoppress:TwomotionsforastayofimplementationofNaji’ssentencefiledbyhislawyershavebeenrejectedinJulyandAugust2016.AsuccessfulstaywouldhaveallowedNajitobefreependinghisappeal.AthirdmotionforastayonNaji’stwo-yearsentencewillbeheardon18December2016.]

YoussefSHAABAN:Profession:EditorandreporterfortheindependentnewswebsiteAl-BedaiahSentence:15monthsinprisonDateofarrest:11May2015Detailsofarrest:Shaabanwasbrieflydetainedon29March2013whencoveringaprotestatAlexandriapolicestationandreleasedonbailpendingtrial.Detailsoftrial:Sentencedtotwoyearsinprisonon9

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February2015for‘protestingwithoutauthorisation’,‘disruptingtraffic’,‘damagingcontentofthePoliceStation’,‘attackingsecurityforces’,‘spreadingfearandterroramongcitizens’and‘attempttosmuggleprisoners’inconnectionwithaneventinMarch2013whenheandotheractivistshadgonetoel-RamlpolicestationinAlexandriatoofferassistancetothreedetainedlawyers.On11May2015acourtofappealinAlexandriareducedShaaban’ssentenceto15monthsinprison,andorderedhimtobeheldincustody.HislawyerhasappealedtotheCourtofCassationwhichishislastlegalresort.Accordingtonewsreports,theel-RamlMisdemeanourCourtofAppealrefusedtopermitShaaban’sreleaseuntilthehearingbeforetheCourtofCassationisheld.Theappealhadnotbeenheardasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:ShaabanhasHepatitisCandrequiresmedicalattention.On29February2016,Shaaban’sfamilyreportedthathehadnotbeentakingmedicationfor10monthsandthataprisondoctorhadsaidthatheneededtohavehisliverexamined.Background:Shaabanwastriedwithnineotherdefendants.Allofthemhavedeniedtheallegationsandclaimthatitwasthepolicewhoassaultedthem.Shaabanhasstatedthatheattendedtheprotestinordertocoveritasajournalist,nottoparticipate.[Stoppress:ShaabanwasreportedlyreleasedinAugust2016afterservinghissentence]

Emad(orImad)SayedAbuZEID:Profession:ReporterinBaniSueffortheAhramGateArabicnewswebsiteandforSuefOnlineSentence:ThreeyearsinprisonDateofarrest:September2014Detailsofarrest:AbuZeidwasarrestedwhenheappearedincourtfortrialCurrentplaceofdetention:PrisoninFayyoumDetailsoftrial:AbuZeidwassentencedtothreeyears’imprisonmentinSeptember2014afterhewasconvictedofbelongingtotheoutlawedMuslimBrotherhood.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,quotinghisdaughter,hisappealwasscheduledfor11November2015.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,AbuZeidhasdeniedanyaffiliationwiththeMuslimBrotherhoodinaletterhewrotefromprisonon8December2014,whichwaspublishedonsocialmedia.Background:AbuZeidwasfirstarrestedon12September2013intheBeniSuefgovernorateaftertheprosecutionaccusedhimofdisturbingpublicorderthroughpublishingfalsenewsandarticlesonthewebsite,inconnectionwithanarticlehewroteinwhichhecriticizedtheEgyptianauthorities.Hewasreleasedonbailon13October2013afterthreemonthsindetentionbutwasrearrestedathistrial.

Imprisoned–investigation

*AbdullahAL-FAKHARANYProfession:Medicalstudent,humanrightsactivistandfounderof‘RASSD’newsnetworkSentence:LifeimprisonmentDateofarrest:25August2013Detailsofarrest:Al-FakharanywasreportedlyarrestedwhilevisitinghisfriendMohammedSoltan,whohadbeeninjuredduringtheRabaaAl-Adaweyasit-in.Policestormedthehouseandarrestedbothmen,eventhoughtheywerenotinpossessionofanarrestwarrant,anddetainedtheminToraprison.On27August2013al-FakharanywastransferredtoKhalifaprison.On1September,hewastransferredtoWadiel-Natrunprison,beforebeingmovedontoAl-Basatinprison.On18September2013hewastransferredbacktoToraprison,whereheisstillbeingdetained.Currentplaceofdetention:Al-AqrabHighSecuritysectionofToraPrisonDetailsoftrial:al-Fakharanywasoriginallychargedwithspreadingfalseinformation,butthechargeswerelatersubstitutedfor‘membershipofanunlawfulorganisation’(theMuslimBrotherhood),‘incitementtoviolence’,‘unlawfulgatheringandsedition’and‘disturbingthepublicpeacebyspreadingliesandrumoursagainsttheStateofEgypt’.AccordingtoAl-Karamawebsite,hischargesrelatetohisactivismandinvolvementwithRASSDnewsnetwork,inparticularthecoverageofthefatalitiesandinjuriessufferedbydemonstratorsattheRabaaAl-Adaweyasit-in.Hewasalsochargedwith‘forminganoperationsroomtodirecttheMuslim

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Brotherhoodtodefythegovernment’athisfirsttrialhearinginApril2014.ThetrialwaspostponednumeroustimesbeforeAl-Fakhranywassentencedon11April2015.Accordingtonewsreports,hislifesentencewasreversedon3December2015andtheCourtofCassationorderedare-trialbuthewasnotreleasedpendinganewtrial.Al-Fakharanyandtheotherdefendants’subsequentappealhearingwaspostponednumeroustimesin2015,andwasmostrecentlyrescheduledfor7June2016.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.PENisseekinganupdate.Conditionsindetention:Al-FakharanyandotherjournalistsdetainedinAl-Aqrabprisonwerereportedlysubjecttoill-treatmentfromtheirprisonguards.AccordingtoAl-Karama,theprisonersarekeptinovercrowded,insect-infestedcells,deprivedofwaterandtherighttoseeadoctor.Hewasnotallowedtomeethisfamilyforalmostayearafterhisarrest.Background:Al-Fakharanywasoneofninejournalistsprosecutedinwhatwasknownasthe‘RabaaOperationsRoomtrial’.Thistrialsentencedatotalof84defendants,includingmembersoftheoutlawedMuslimBrotherhood,toeitherlifeimprisonmentorthedeathpenaltyasaresultoftheirpresenceattheRabaaAl-Adaweyasit-ininAugust2013.Thisprotestwasdispersedviolentlybythepoliceandarmy,resultinginthedeathofover1,000demonstrators.

Detained–maincase

IsmailALEXANDRANIProfession:FreelanceinvestigativejournalistandresearcherDateofarrest:29November2015Detailsofarrest:Alexandraniwasarrestedon29November2015inHurghadaairport,whenreturningfromBerlin.Theprosecutionseizedhislaptop,mobilephoneandsomepersonalbelongings,whichtheytookasevidence.Alexandrani’swifereportedlysuggestedthatafterhisdetentionhewasquestionedinNewCairoformorethan10hours.Hewaslaterdetainedfor15dayspendingfurtherinvestigation.AccordingtoAlJazeera,on10December2015Alexandraniwasinformedthathisdetentionhadbeenextendedforanother15daysforinvestigation.On27December2015,hisdetentionwasreportedlyextendedforathirdtime.InSeptember2013,regulationsonpre-trialdetention,previouslysetatamaximumoftwoyears,wereamendedtoallowforindefinitedetentioninsomecases.Detailsoftrial:Accordingtonewsreports,heisaccusedof‘releasingfalsenewsandspreadingterror’and‘joiningabannedgroup’.On12January2016,Alexandrani’shearingwaspostponeduntil27January.Itwaspostponedoncemoreandasof30June2016hasstillnottakenplace.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,AlexandranihadallegedlyattendedaconferenceinBerlinregardingcounterterrorismandhewasconsideredanexpertin‘SinaiandEgypt’sextremities,Islamismandpost-Islamism’.HeisreportedtohavebeencriticaloftheEgyptiangovernmentanditspoliciesaimingtodefeatextremistsintheSinai.HiswifealsosuggestedthathehadalsobeencriticaloftheMuslimBrotherhood.Awards:VisitingArabJournalistFellowship,MiddleEastProgram,WoodrowWilsonInternationalCenterforScholarsatthetimeofhisarrest;OpenEye-HanyDarweeshAwardforExceptionalEssay2014;GlobalWinnerinYouthEssayContestonDemocracy2009;2009winneroftheNationalContestforSpreadingUnderstandingandMutualRespectoftheCairoInstituteforHumanRightsStudies.

*AmrBADR,profession:Journalistandeditorofthenewswebsite‘Yanair’*MahmoudAL-SAKKA,profession:JournalistDateofarrest:1May2016Detailsofarrest:Badrandal-SakkawerereportedlyarrestedwhenEgyptianpolicestormedtheJournalists'Syndicatebuildingontheeveningof1May,whilethetwojournalistswerestagingasit-inprotest.Theywereinitiallydetainedfor15daysofinvestigationonnumerouscharges,including‘spreadingfalsenews,’‘endangeringnationalsecurity,’and‘organisingillegalprotests’.On14May2016,theirdetentionwasrenewedforafurther14days.Inastatementmadeviahislawyers,Badrsaidthatthese

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chargesrelatetohisandSakka’scriticismofthegovernmentinarticleswrittenonthe‘Yanair’website.On25May,acourtuphelda15-dayextendeddetentiondespiteanappealfortheirreleaseonbail.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,Badrwasstagingthesit-intoprotestagainsthiscontinuedsurveillancebysecurityforces,whileal-Sakkawasprotestingthestormingofhishomebecauseofthe‘Yanair’website’sstanceontherecenthandingoveroftwoEgyptianislandstoSaudiArabia.The‘Yanair’websitealsoreleasedastatementcallingforsolidaritywiththewebsite,itseditorandemployeesagainstthegovernmentcrackdownonjournalistswhichstartedinlateApril2016.Between30December2015and5March2016,al-Sakkawasheldindetentiononchargesof‘planningillegalproteststooverthrowthegovernment’and‘belongingtoanillegalorganisation(the25thJanuaryYouthMovement)’.ThenewswebsiteYanairfocusesonpoliticalaffairsincludingcoverageofnewpoliticalparties,parliamentandlabourrights.Al-Sakka’sarrestcameamidarenewedcrackdownoncriticalvoicesaheadofthefourthanniversaryofthe25JanuaryrevolutioninEgyptwhichtoppledformerpresidentHosniMubarak.Hewasreleasedonbailpendingtrial(formoreinformationseepreviousCaseList).[StopPress:BadrandAl-Sakka’sdetentionwasextendedforafurther15dayson12July2016]

HossamAL-DINEL-SAYED(alsospeltHussamandHossamAl-DinAl-Syaed)Profession:JournalistDateofarrest:22October2015Detailsofarrest:On21October2015,theMadaFoundationwasraidedbysecurityforces(seecasebelow)whoarrestedthedirector,HishamJaafar.Thefollowingday,securityforcesalsoraidedthehomeofHussamel-Sayedwhichisinthesamebuildinganddetainedhim,thoughheisnotconnectedtotheMadaFoundation.Detailsoftrial:Hehasbeenchargedinastatesecuritytrial(No.720)alongwithHishamJaafar(seebelowunderDetained-maincase),despitethefactthatheisnotconnectedwiththeMadaFoundation.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.

HishamJAAFARProfession:DirectorofMadaFoundationforMediaDevelopmentandeditor-in-chiefofOnIslam.netDateofarrest:21October2015Detailsofarrest:On6September2015,theofficesofMadaFoundationwereraidedbyarmedandmaskedsecurityforces,whoreportedlydestroyedfurnitureandpersonalitems,andquestionedmalestaffmembersforseveralhours.Theorganisationwasshutdownimmediatelyfollowingtheincident.Detailsoftrial:Jaafarhasbeenaccusedof‘receivingillegalforeignfunding’and‘belongingtothebannedgroupMuslimBrotherhood’.InMarch2016,theArabicNetworkforHumanRightsreportedthatJaafarcontinuestobearbitrarilydetainedinprison.Conditionsindetention:AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,Jaafarhasbeenpreventedfromreceivingvisitsinprisonandhasnotbeenallowedtoreceiveclothes,hismedicationoranewpairofglasses,ashisoriginalpairwasbrokenduringthearrest.Currentplaceofdetention:Al-AqrabprisonOtherinformation:TheMadaFoundationisanon-governmentalorganisationthatprovidesmediatrainingandsupportforjournalists.Italsorunsawebsite,OnIslam.net,wherenewsandarticlesabouthealth,lifestyleandIslamicspiritualityarepublished.HishamJaafar’sarrestandtheattackontheMadaFoundationwaswidelycondemnedbyEgyptianandinternationalhumanrightsgroups.[StopPress:Hisdetentionwasrenewedforanother45daysinJuly2016;hislawyershavereportedlystillnothadaccesstocourtdocuments.HewasreportedtobeheldinQasral-Ainihospitalonaccountofhisdeterioratinghealth.]

MahmoudMostafaSAAD:Profession:JournalistDateofarrest:22October2015Detailsofarrest:SaadwasreportedlydetainedatCairoairportwhentravellingtotheUKonastudentvisa.AccordingtoSaad’swife,hewasnotinformedofanychargesbroughtagainsthim.Saad’swhereaboutsarecurrentlyunknown.On2January2016,theStopForcedDisappearancescampaignreportedthatSaadhadappearedbeforeaNationalSecurityProsecutorandwasremandedincustody

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for15daysinconnectionwithallegedmembershipofabannedorganisation.Itisunclearifheisstillbeingdetained.Background:SaadwasformerlyamemberoftheTamarodoppositionmovementwhichwasfoundedtoregisteroppositiontoformerEgyptianPresidentMohamedMorsibycollectingsignaturesinapetitioncallingforhisremoval.ItalsoorganisedthemassproteststhatledtoMorsi’sremovalandthetakeoverofthegovernmentbytheArmedForcesin2013.

Detained-investigation

AbdelrahmanABUOUF(alsoknownasAbdelrahmanJomaa)Profession:Editor-in-chiefofAlMesryoonDateofarrest:14November2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,on14November2015AbuOufwasdetainedaftertheEgyptianpoliceraidedhishome.Hewasremandedincustodyonsuspicionofmembershipofabannedgroup,reportedlytheMuslimBrotherhood.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Otherinformation:Theexecutiveeditor-in-chiefofAlMesryoonsaidthatAbuOufhadnopoliticalaffiliationsandhisworkwascharacterisedforbeingcriticalofPresidentAbdelFattahel-Sisi,aswellastheformerPresidentMohamedMorsiandhisMuslimBrotherhood.HealsopublishedmanycasesexposingcorruptioncasesinEgyptianbusiness.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,theEgyptiangovernmenthadalreadyinterferedintheprintingofAlMesryoonearlierin2015becauseofsomearticlescriticalofPresidentAbdelFattahel-Sisi.

HassanEL-KABBANI(orEL-QABBANI):Profession:Freelancereporterforseveralnewswebsites,includingFreedomandJustice(MuslimBrotherhood’snewswebsite)andRassdDateofarrest:22January2015Detailsofarrest:El-Kabbaniwasarrestedinhishomein6OctoberCitybysecurityagentsinplainclothes.Accordingtonewsreports,hewasheldinthelocalnationalsecurityheadquarterswherehewasabused.Hiswifeandherbrotherswerealsodetainedforoneday.Currentplaceofdetention:Accordingtohiswife,el-KabbaniisbeingheldinScorpionprison.Detailsoftrial:Hewaschargedwithespionage,joininganillegalorganisationanddisseminatingfalseinformationtodisturbpeople.Sincehisarrest,Cairo’sNationalSecurityCourthasrenewedhispre-trialinvestigationdetentionseveraltimes(thelasttimeon5May2015).Accordingtonewsreports,atrialhasyettobescheduled.Background:On11April2015hewassentencedinanothercasealongwith50otherdefendantschargedfor‘forminganoperationsroomtodirecttheMuslimBrotherhoodtodefythegovernment’.El-Kabbaniwaspreviouslyarrestedbrieflyforafewhoursduringthe25Januaryrevolutionof2011.

Ontrial

AlaaABDEL-FATTAH,profession:Bloggerandactivist(seealsoaboveunderImprisoned–maincase)Abdel-HalimQANDIL,profession:WriterandjournalistforSawtAl-Omma(seealsobelowunderHarassedandSentenced)AbdulRahmanYusufAL-QARADAWI,profession:PoetDetailsoftrial:Thethreeareamong25defendants(includingformerPresidentMohammadMorsi)accusedof‘insultingthejudiciary’,‘attemptingtoinfluencepublicopinion’and‘attemptingtoinfluencetherulingsofpresidin’gviacommentsmadeonsocialmediaandininterviewswiththepress.AllwerebannedfromtravelinJanuary2014;thebanwasliftedin2015.Update:Qandil’strialwasstillongoingasofJune2016;hisfirsthearingtookplaceinMay2016,andon14June2016itwasreportedthatthecourthadgivenhimafineof10,000Egyptianpounds(approximately1,120US$)onachargeof‘negligenceofhiswork’. Followingarequestfromal-Qaradawi’slawyersforthedefendantstoreceiveareplyfrom

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thecourt,itwasreportedthattheywereduetoreturntocourton2July2016.[Stoppress:Thetrialwasadjournedto10December2016accordingtoreports].

AhmedAbuZeidEL-TANOBI:Profession:EditorandculturalaffairscorrespondentfortheMuslimBrotherhooddaily,FreedomandJusticeandresearcherforArabMediaFreedomMonitorDateofarrest:31January2015Dateofrelease:9June2015Detailsofarrest:El-TanobiwasreportedlyarrestedinCairometrostationbytheEgyptianpolice.Hewaslatertakentohishouse,whereseveralitemswereconfiscated,andthentothepolicestation.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalistshewasaccusedof‘incitementagainstthegovernment’,‘participatinginillegalprotests’,andbelongingtoan‘illegalorganisation’.Inaddition,theauthoritiesallegedthathehadpublishedfalsereportsthatharmEgypt’simageabroad,althoughitisnotanofficialchargeagainsthim.Accordingtonewsreports,hiswifeclaimedthatel-Tanobiwasabusedandbeatenduringhisarrestandkeptincrowedjailcells.Detailsofrelease:On4June2015,aGizacourtorderedhisreleaseonbail.Newsreportstatethathewasreleasedon9June2015.Notrialdatehasbeenscheduled.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:El-Tanobiclaimsthathehasbeentargetedbecauseofhisworkasajournalist.

Briefdetention

*MinaTHABETProfession:HumanrightsactivistanddirectoroftheMinorityandReligiousGroupsDepartmentattheEgyptianCommissionforRightsandFreedoms(ECRF)Dateofarrest:19May2016Dateofrelease:20June2016Detailsofarrest:ThabetwasreportedlyarrestedinhisapartmentontheoutskirtsofCairointheearlymorningof19May.AnofficerfromtheNationalSecurityAgency(NSA)wenttoThabet’sapartment,whichheshareswithhismotherandbrother,toarresthim.WhenhedidnotfindThabetthere,hethreatenedtoarresthisbrotherinstead.Thabetlaterreturnedhome,despitereceivingaphonecallfromhismotherwarninghimnottoreturntotheapartment,andwasarrestedataround3am.Hewastakentoanundisclosedlocationandquestionedfor12hours.Detailsofrelease:On20June2016,anEgyptiancourtrejectedanappealbytheprosecutiononThabet’sreleaseorder,orderinghisreleaseonabailof10,000Egyptianpounds(aboutUS$1120).Hewasreleasedthefollowingday.Nodatehasbeensetforhisnexthearing.Detailsoftrial:Thabetreportedlyappearedincourton22May2016,whereajudgeissuedatemporarydetentionorderagainsthim,whichwaslaterextendedfor15days.Hewasheldwithoutbailinpretrialdetentiononchargesof,amongstothers,incitingviolence,spreadingfalseinformationandpossessionofleafletsunderminingnationalsecurityandtherulingregime.ItisthoughtthatpaperswrittenbyThabetonreligiousminoritygroupsandapaperonthepoliticalpartyBreadandFreedomwereusedasevidenceforthesecharges.Healthconcerns:Duringhisdetentionrenewalsession,Thabetreportedlybeggedthejudgetoreleasehimonaccountofhisdeclininghealthcondition.HislawyerreportedlysaidthatThabetattendedthesessionwithawalkingstick,astheconditionofhisbackandlegshadworsenedwhileindetention.

Harassed

*KhaledAL-BALSHYProfession:EditorofEgyptiannewswebsiteAl-BedaiahandboardmemberoftheEgyptianJournalists’Syndicate.Dateofharassment:4April2016Detailsofharassment:AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,alegalcomplaintwasfiledbytheAssistantInteriorMinisterforlegalaffairs,resultinginanarrestorderbeingsenttoal-Balshy’shomeinMenoufiya.AccordingtoEgyptiannewsreports,al-Balshywasaccusedof‘libelandslander’

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againsttheMinistry,‘insultingthepolice’and‘callingforthedisturbingofpublicorderandtheoverthrowoftheregime’becauseofcommentshemadeonsocialmedia.Severalhumanrightsgroups,includingReportersWithoutBordersandtheEgyptianInitiativeforPersonalRights,calledforthearrestwarranttobewithdrawn.On5April,followinganemergencymeeting,theEgyptianPressSyndicategavetheInteriorMinistrya48-hourultimatum,demandingthewithdrawalofthearrestorder.ThecomplaintwassubsequentlywithdrawnbytheInteriorMinistryon6April.Accordingtoreports,Al-Balshywassummonedon29May2016alongwithtwoothersyndicateleaders,YehiaQallashandGamalAbdelRehim,andheldovernightattheQasral-NilPoliceStation.TheywerequestionedinrelationtothearrestsofjournalistsAmrBadrandMahmoudal-Sakka.TheywerereleasedonMonday,30May.

OmarHAZEK:Profession:Poet.Dateofharassment:14January2016Detailsofharassment:HazekwasoneofthreewriterstoreceivetheOxfamNovib/PENAwardforFreedomofExpression.Hewouldhavebeentheonlyoneoutofthethreewinnerstobepresentatthisevening,buthewasstoppedbytheauthoritiesinCairoattheairport.Background:OmarHazekisawriterofinternationalacclaimandwasformerlyemployedbytheLibraryofAlexandriainAlexandriaEgypt.HispublicationsincludeacollectionofpoetryinArabicandEnglishentitledNota-SkiesofFreedom(Egypt2011),whichheco-publishedwithSyrianpoetAbdelwahhabAzzawiandtwootherpoetsfromItalyandPortugal.SincetheoverthrowofPresidentMubarakinFebruary2011,OmarHazekhasbeenoutspokeninhisallegationsofcorruptionintheLibraryofAlexandria,whoseofficialheadoftheboardoftrusteeswasformerfirstladySuzanneMubarak.On23September2015,HazekwasreleasedfromprisonfollowingaPresidentialpardon.ArrestedinDecember2013,hehadbeenservingatwo-yearprisonsentencefor‘protestingwithoutpermission’(formoreinformation,seepreviousCaseList).Awards:2016OxfamNovib/PENAwardforFreedomofExpression,OmarHazekwonthetitleof‘PoetofRomance’intheTVclassicalpoetrycompetition‘PrinceofPoets’in2007,organisedbytheAbuDhabiOrganizationforCultureandHeritage.HonoraryMember:AustrianPENandDanishPEN.PENActions:RAN07/1419March2014;featuredwriterMay2014;PENstatement–14January2016.

*RemyPIGAGLIOProfession:JournalistforFrenchnewspaperLaCroixandRTLradiostationDateofharassment:23May2016Detailsofharassment:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,PigagliowasdeniedentryintoEgyptafterlandinginCairoonaflightfromFrance,despitehavingworkedinCairosinceAugust2014andbeinginpossessionofavalidvisaandpresscard.Whenhepresentedhimselftoimmigrationpoliceattheairport,Pigaglio’spassportandphonewereconfiscatedandhewasdetainedovernightintheairport’sinternationalareawithoutquestioning.Pigaglioreportedlymanagedtoalerthiscolleaguestowhatwashappeningbeforehandinginhisphone.AlthoughtheFrenchembassystagedahigh-levelinterventiontopreventhisdeportation,hewasputonareturnflighttoFranceafterbeingdetainedforatotalof30hours.AccordingtoReuters,Pigagliowastoldbyasecuritysourcethathewasbeingdeportedbecausehehadtaken‘actionsthatharmEgyptandthreatenitssecurity’.Noindicationwasgivenastothenatureoftheseallegedactions.Judicialharassment

HossamBAHGATProfession:JournalistatonlinenewswebsiteMadaMasrandhumanrightsdefenderDateofharassment:22April2016DetailsofharassmentFrontLineDefendersreportedinFebruary2016thatBahgathadbeenplacedunderatravelbanwhiletravelingfromCairoto

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Jordantoparticipateinaconference.Furthermore,itwasreportedthataninvestigatingjudgeorderedBahgattobeincludedonanassetfreezinglisttargetingseveralhumanrightsdefendersandhumanrightsorganisations.Thoseonthelistwerechargedwith‘usingforeignfundingtofomentunrest’.Ifcharged,theycouldeachfaceupto25yearsinprison.Background:BahgatwasdetainedfortwodaysinNovember2015(see2015CaseList).Thetrialwasinitiallysetfor23May2016beforebeingpostponedto2June.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Dateofrelease:10November2015Detailsofarrest:BahgatwassummonedbymilitaryintelligenceinNasrtobequestionedregardingarticlesthathepublishedaboutthearmy.Accordingtonewsreports,hewasthenarrestedpendinginvestigation.Thechargesthathavebeenbroughtagainsthimare‘publishingfalsenews’,‘harmingnationalinterests’and‘disturbingthepublicpeace’.Detailsofrelease:Accordingtonewsreports,hislawyerstatedthatBahgatwasreleasedwithoutbailpendinginvestigation.Otherinformation:Bahgatisaprominentjournalistandadvocateoffreedomofexpression.HeisthefounderofEgyptianInitiativeforPersonalRights(EIPR),anindependenthumanrightsorganisation.InOctober2015hepublishedanarticleaboutthetrialof26militaryofficialswhohadbeenaccusedofplanningacoup.Thearticlewasbasedonofficialdocuments,includingthemilitaryprosecutor’sindictment,andinterviewswiththemilitaryofficers’families.Afterhisarrest,mediaandhumanrightsorganisationscampaignedforBahgat’srelease.TheUnitedNationsGeneral-Secretary,BanKiMoon,alsoreleasedastatementcondemninghisarrest.Awards:Winnerof2011HumanRightsWatchAllisonDesForgesawardforhisactivism.

Sentenced

KarimAL-BANNA:Profession:EngineeringstudentSentence:Three-yearprisonsentenceandafineof1,000Egyptianpounds(approx.US$140)Detailsofarrest:Al-BannawasarrestedwithagroupofpeopleinacafeinNovember2014.Detailsofrelease:Hewasreleasedonbailon10January2015Detailsoftrial:Al-BannawasconvictedofreligiousinsultchargesinrelationtopostshemadeonFacebook.InJanuary2015,hewassentencedtothreeyearsinprison,whichwassuspendedonpaymentofaEGP3,000(approx.US$337)fine.However,theprosecutionappealedagainstthesuspensionoftheverdict,andtheappealwasupheldon9March2015,convertingthesentenceintoanactualprisonterm.Accordingtonewsreports,al-Bannawentintohidingafterthisverdict.Hislawyerstatedthatal-Bannawashidingashehadlostfaithinfairnessofthistrial.HisfinallegalrecoursewouldbetoappealtheverdictthroughtheCourtofCassation.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:TheaccusationisbasedonFacebookpostsinwhichhedeclaredhimselfanatheistandallegedlyinsultedIslam.Accordingtonewsreports,oneofthepostsfeaturesanimageofawomanandaQuranandthecomment‘It’sOKtoburnawoman…butit’sNOTOKtoburnabook.Somethingiswrongwithyourpriorities.’Healsopostedanimagewithcaricaturesofbeardedmenpointingtoeachotherandthecomment‘AbigrewardtowhoeverrepresentsIslam’.

FatimaNAOOT(f):Profession:Poet,chiefeditorofQawsQazahandcolumnistforEl-MasryEl-YoumDateofbirth:18September1964Sentence:Threeyears’imprisonmentandafineofUS$2,550.Detailsoftrial:Naoot’strialbeganon28January2015,inwhichshewasallegedlychargedwith‘contemptofIslam’,‘spreadingsectarianstrife’and‘disturbingpublicpeace’inconnectionwithcommentsshemadeonFacebookaboutthecelebrationofEidal-AdhainOctober2014.Duringhertrial,NaootacknowledgedthatshehadwrittenthepostbutdeniedthatherintentionwastoinsultIslam.On26January2016FatimawassentencedtothreeyearsinjailandhandedafineofLE20,000(about$2,550).Naootremainsfree.An

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appealwaslodgedbutwassubsequentlydroppedon31March2016asNaootwasoutofthecountryatthetime.Background:Accordingtonewsreports,inOctober2014NaootexpressedcriticismofthetraditionalsacrificeofsheepfortheEidal-AdhafeastinaFacebookpostandintheEgyptiandailynewspaperEl-MasryEl-Youm.NaootsubsequentlydeletedherpostonFacebookandinsistedthatherremarkswerenotintendedasaninsulttoIslam.Otherinformation:Naootisanaward-winningpoetandhaspublishedsevenpoetrycollectionssofarincludingFinger’sPat,UponaWoman’sPalmandABottleofGlue.Sheisalsoaformerparliamentarycandidate.PENActions:ActionforInternationalWomen’sDay

KaramSABER:Profession:AuthorandDirectoroftheLandCentreforHumanRights,whichprovideshumanrightsassistancetofarmers.Wroteabookofshortstoriesin2010entitledWhereisGod?Sentence:Fiveyearsinprisonandafineof50,000Egyptianpounds(approx.5600US$)Detailsoftrial:On12April2011,agroupofindividualsinBeniSuefgovernoratefiledcomplaintNo.600/2011accusingSaberofinsultingreligioninhisbookWhereisGod?UnderArticle98ofEgypt'spenalcode,anyoneconvictedofcontemptofreligioninanyformcanfaceuptofiveyearsinprison.TheprosecutionlaunchedaninvestigationwhichincludedconsultingtheCopticandMuslimauthoritiesinEgypt.ThecasewasreferredtotheMisdemeanourCourtwhichissuedasentenceoffiveyears’imprisonmenton7May2013.Thesentencewasissuedinabsentia,andSaberwasunawareofthehearingbeforethesentencewaspassed.Hepresentedhimselftotheauthoritiesafterthesentenceandwasbrieflydetained,butwasreleasedonbailpendinghisappeal.Accordingtopressreports,Saber’sdefenceteamsuggestedthetestimoniesagainstthewriterarearesultofpersonalfeudsbetweenSaberandpoliceandMinistryofEndowmentsrepresentativesbecauseofSaber’sworkdefendingfarmers’rights.ThesentencewasupheldbytheSummaryCourtofBeba,BeniSuef,on13March2014andbytheCourtofAppealon5June2014,buthewasremainedfreeattheendofJune2016pendingafurtherappealtotheCourtofCassation.

Caseclosed

IbrahimAREF:Profession:Editor-in-chiefoftheprivatelyownednewspaperEl-BayanDateofarrest:18May2015Dateofrelease:19May2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtonewsreports,ArefwasarrestedbythepoliceatEl-Bayan’sofficesintheDokkineighbourhoodofGiza.Detailsofdetention:Accordingtonewsreports,ArefhimselfexplainedhowhewastakentotheHighCourt,wherehewasdetainedforninehourswithoutfoodorwater.Detailsofrelease:Hewasreleasedonbail.Detailoftrial:NewsreportsclaimthatArefiscurrentlyunderinvestigationbytheprosecution.Hefaceschargesfor‘publishingfalsenewswhichwoulddisturbpublicsecurity,spreadterroramongcitizensandharmthepublicinterests’.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:ThedetentioncameafterthepublicationofanarticleexposingthekillingofsixprosecutorsontheCairo-Suezroadon15May2015aftertheverdictsagainstformerPresidentMorsiandMuslimBrotherhoodsupporters.Accordingtonewsreports,Arefdeniedwritingthearticle,claimingthathewasonvacationatthetime.El-BayanlaterissuedastatementonitswebsiteretractingthearticleanddemandingAref’srelease.Otherinformation:TheEgyptianJournalistsSyndicatecriticisedthearrestanddeclareditillegalasthesyndicatehadnotbeeninformedbeforehand.Caseclosed:duetolackofinformation.

IRAN

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Imprisoned-maincaseAbolfazlABEDINI-NASR:Profession:Freelancejournalistandhumanrightsactivist;formerPublicRelationsHeadoftheHumanRightsAssociationofIran(HRA),anunregisteredhumanrightsgroup.Sentence:12yearsinprisonExpires:2022Dateofarrest:3March2010Detailsofarrest:Abedini-NasrwasarrestedinAhvazon3March2010amidawaveofarrestsofHRAactivistsandtransferredtoEvinPrisoninTehran.Placeofdetention:ReportedlytransferredfromEvinprisontoKaroonprisoninAhvazon28July2013.Detailsoftrial:InApril2011anAhvazcourtreportedlysentencedAbedini-Nasrto11yearsinprisonafterconvictionof‘membershipofanillegalorganisation[HRA]’,‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’fortalkingtoforeignmediaand‘contactswithenemystates’,whichmayrelatetotheauthorities’contentionthatHRAwassetupbytheCIAaspartofallegedattemptstoorchestratea‘softrevolution’inIran.Abedini-Nasrwasnotrepresentedbyalawyerattrial.WhenAbedini-Nasrappealed,aKhuzestanprovincialappellatecourtwouldnotallowhisdefencelawyertopresentarguments.Theverdictwasupheldbyanappealscourt.On4May2011,aRevolutionaryCourtjudgesentencedAbedini-Nasrtoanadditionalyearinprisononthechargeof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’formediainterviewshehadgiveninrelationtohisroleintheHRA.ThesentencewasupheldonappealinNovember2011.Conditionsindetention:InSeptember2010,itwasreportedthatAbedini-NasrhadbeenbeatenatAhvazPrison.HewastransferredtoTehran’sEvinPrisonlaterthatsamemonth.Abedini-Nasrstartedahungerstrikeon28July2013inprotestathistransferbacktoKaroonprisoninreprisalforhavingtestifiedincourtaboutthetorturemarkshesawonthebodyofbloggerSaharBeheshti,whodiedincustodyin2012.HewasgrantedtwoshortperiodsoftemporaryreleaseinMarchandMay2014.Healthconcerns:Hesuffersfromaheartcondition.Otherinformation:Abedini-NasrwasareporterfortheprovincialweeklyBaharAhvaz,andknownforhisarticlesaboutlabourissues.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

ArzhangDAVOODI:Profession:Writerandpoet;DirectoroftheParto-eHekmatCulturalEducationCentreinTehranSentence:DeathDateofarrest:October2003Detailsofarrest:ArzhangDavoodiwasarrestedforparticipatinginadocumentaryForbiddenIraninwhichhespokeoutabouthumanrightsviolationsinIran.Currentplaceofdetention:On13August2014,ArzhangDavoodiwastransferredfromthecentralprisonofBandarAbbastosection12ward4inGohardashtprisonwherepoliticalprisonersareheld.Detailsoftrial:InMarch2005hewassentencedto25years’imprisonment,reducedto10yearsonappeal,onchargesof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’and‘establishinganddirectinganorganisationopposedtothegovernment.’Followinganothertrialin2005hewassentencedto15years’imprisonmentand75lashesbyBranch26oftheRevolutionaryCourtonchargesof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’,‘establishinganddirectinganorganisation[theParto-eHekmatCulturalEducationCentre]opposedtothegovernment’,aswellasforparticipatinginthemakingofthedocumentary;andbecauseofhiswritingsonasecularsystemofgovernanceinIran.In2012,afreshchargeof‘enmityagainstGod’wasbroughtagainstDavoodi.InNovember2012,Branch15oftheRevolutionaryCourtinTehranruledthatthecasefelloutsidethecourt’sjurisdiction,apparentlyduetolackofcredibleevidence.However,itisunderstoodthattheMinistryofIntelligencelaterarrangedforthecasetobesenttoBranchOneoftheRevolutionaryCourtinKaraj,whichinturndelegatedtheconductofDavoodi’strialtoBranchThreeoftheRevolutionaryCourtinBandarAbbas.Followingacourtsessionheldon3June2014,theRevolutionaryCourtinBandarAbbasrelayedDavoodi’sdefencestatementtoBranchOneoftheRevolutionaryCourtinKaraj.DavoodiwasnotallowedtotellhislawyertoattendthissessioninBandarAbbasuntilafewdays

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beforeitsscheduleddate,andmethislawyerinpersonforthefirsttimeonlyatthecourtroom,leavingonlyanhourtoprepareadefence.TheRevolutionaryCourtinKarajeventuallysentencedhimtodeath,withouthimorhislawyerbeingpresent.Davoodilearnedfromhislawyeron20July2014thathehadbeensentencedtodeathforhisallegedmembershipandsupportofbannedgroupPeople'sMojahedinOrganizationofIran(PMOI).On14May2014Davoodiwasalsosentencedtoafurthertwoyears’imprisonment,onachargeof‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’,byaRevolutionaryCourtinTehran.Thechargewasimposed,apparentlyinrelationtoaphrasehewroteonthewallsoftheprison’sbathroom,implyingthatrampantinjusticeandinequalityareprevalentinIranundertheSupremeLeaderAyatollahAliKhamenei.Davoodihasappealedthesentence.AmnestyInternationalconsidershimtobeaprisonerofconscience,withnolinkswiththePMOIoranyarmedgroups.DavoodiisbelievedtohavebeenaccusedofhavingtieswiththePMOIbecauseinprisonheinsistedoncallingthegroupbyitsofficialname,Mojahedin,ratherthanbythetermusedbytheIranianauthorities,Monafeghin(hypocrites).Conditionsofdetention:Followinghisarrest,Davoodiwasheldinsolitaryconfinementforprolongedperiodsoftime,duringwhichhesaidhewastorturedanddeniedaccesstoalawyerandtohisfamily.Duringhissubsequentyearsofimprisonment,Davoodihasfrequentlybeensubjectedtotortureandotherill-treatment.HehasbeenrepeatedlyshuffledbetweennumerousprisonsinTehranandtheCentralPrisonofBandarAbbas,whichisfarfromhisfamily,andsubjectedtoprolongedperiodsofsolitaryconfinement.Accordingtonewsreports,Davoodibeganahungerstrikeon8December2015.Update:Davoodi’sconditiondeterioratedasaresultofhishungerstrikeandwastransferredtohospitalon8January2016.Heendedthehungerstrikeon28January2016.Healthconcerns:Davoodihassufferedbrokenteethandinjuriestohiseye,eardrum,shoulderandkneeresultingfromtorture,andalsosuffersfromrenalfailure.Background:TheTVdocumentaryForbiddenIranwasfilmedinsecret,andwidelybroadcastinnorthernEuropeinDecember2003andinNorthAmericainJanuary2004.Davoodiassistedinthemakingofthedocumentaryandwasinterviewedinthefilm,whenhespokeaboutpoliticalprisonersandthedeathincustodyofCanadian-IranianphotojournalistZahraKazemi.

YousefEMADI:HosseinRAJABIAN:MehdiRAJABIAN:Profession:Musicians,founderofBargMusicandfilmmakerandphotographerrespectivelyDateofsentence:December2015Sentence:ThreeyearsinprisonandthreeyearssuspendedDetailsofsentence:ThetrialstartedinMay2015atBranch28oftheRevolutionaryCourtinTehran,andthethreewerereportedlysentencedtosixyears’imprisonmentand200millionRialsfine(approx.US$6,650)for‘insultingtheholysanctities’and‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’.Update:Theirsix-yearprisonsentencewascommutedatanappealhearinginFebruary2016tothreeyearsinprisonandthreeyears’suspended,conditionalontheir‘goodbehaviour’.Theirfinewasupheld.Theyweresummonedtobegintheirthree-yearsentencesinEvinPrisonon4June2016.Currentplaceofdetention:EvinPrisonBackground:ThethreeofthemworkinBargMusicwhichisanonlinemusicdistributorinIran.Allegedly,theywereaccusedofpromotingundergroundmusicwhichpromotedindifferencetowardsreligion.TheyhadbeenarrestedonthischargepreviouslyinOctober2013bytheRevolutionaryGuardsIntelligenceOrganization.Theirtrialreportedlylasted15minutesandthechargeswerebasedontheconfessionsmadeunderhighpressure.TheywereafterheldinEvinPrisoninsolitaryconfinementfortwomonths.PENAction:Jointstatementof15January2016

*HesameddinFARZIZADEH

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Profession:AuthorSentence:Sentencedtodeathforapostasyaswellassevenyears’imprisonmentand74lashesDateofarrest21November2013Detailsofarrest:FarzizadehwasreportedlyarrestedinaraidonhishousebyplainclothesMinistryofIntelligence(MOI)agentsandheldincommunicadoattheMOIfacilityforseveraldaysbeforebeingtransferredtoMeshginShahrPrisoninArdabilProvince,north-westernIran.Currentplaceofdetention:MeshginShahrprisonDetailsoftrial:FollowingarulingfromtheCriminalCourtofMeshginShahrinMay2015,FarzizadehwasreportedlyconvictedofapostasyandinsultingtheProphetMohammed,theShi’aImams,andAyatollahKhomeini,thefounderoftheIslamicRepublicofIran.ThesechargesstemfromabookFarzizadehwroteentitledFromIslamtoIslam,whichreportedlyexaminesthehistoryofShi’aIslamandraisesquestionsaboutShi’aideology.Inthebook,FarzizadehsupposedlyquestionstheexistenceoftheTwelfthImam,amessianicfigureinShi’aideologywhoissupposedtoreappearinthefutureasthesaviourofhumanity.ThechargeofapostasycarriesthedeathsentenceinIran,whiletheadditionalsentencesofimprisonmentandlashingwererelatedtothecontentofthebook.Conditionsindetention:AsourceforIranHumanRightsDocumentationCenter(IHRDC)hasclaimedthatFarzizadehhasbeenthreatenedandassaultedinprison.Farzizadeh’sbrotheralsoraisedconcernsabouthissafetyinMeshginShahrprison,whereFarzizadehhasbeenbeatenandstabbed,accordingtoOyanNews.Healthconcerns:Theyoungwriterreportedlysuffersfromdepressionandobsessive-compulsivedisorder.AccordingtoanIraniannewsreport,Farzizadeh’sbrothercontestedFarzizadeh’sdeathsentenceonaccountofhismentalcondition,thoughthecourthasnotliftedthecharge.

AdnanHASSANPOUR:Profession:IranianKurdishjournalist,writerandhumanrightsactivistSentence:15yearsinprisonDateofarrest:25January2007Detailsofarrest:Reportedlydetainedon25January2007inMarivan,asmallcityinthenorth-westernprovinceofKordestan.HewasreportedlyheldincommunicadowithoutchargeinaMinistryofIntelligencefacilityinMarivan,andtransferredtoMarivanprisonon26March2007.InApril2007,theMehrNewsAgency,whichissaidtohavecloselinkswithIran'sjudiciary,allegedthatHassanpourhadbeenincontactwithKurdishoppositiongroupsandhadhelpedtwopeoplefromKhuzestanprovince,whowerewantedbytheauthorities,tofleefromIran.Currentplaceofdetention:HassanpourwastransferredfromSanandajCentralPrisontoZahedanprison,SistanandBaluchestanprovince,on13March2014.Detailsoftrial:HassanpourappearedbeforetheIslamicRevolutionaryCourtinSanandajon12June2007,inthepresenceofhislawyer.On16July2007hewastoldthathehadbeensentencedtodeathonchargesofespionageandmoharebeh('wagingwaragainstGod').Thesentencewasconfirmedon22October2007,butwasoverturnedbytheSupremeCourtinTehraninAugust2008onproceduralgrounds.ThecasewasreturnedtoSanandajforare-trialandheardon7September2008and31January2009.Hewassentencedto15yearsinprisonon1July2009.Conditionsindetention:ReportedtohavebeenthreatenedbyIntelligenceAgencymemberswiththewithdrawalofhisvisitingrightsandtherighttotemporaryleavefromprisonforwritingalettertoHassanRouhaniinOctober2013callingforKurdishandminorityrights.Background:AdnanHassanpourisaformermemberoftheeditorialboardoftheKurdish-Persianweeklyjournal,Aso(Horizon),whichwasclosedbytheIranianauthoritiesinAugust2005,followingwidespreadunrestinKurdishareas.Hehadpreviouslybeentriedinconnectionwitharticlespublishedinthejournal.Otherinformation:HassanpourisamemberoftheKurdishWriter'sAssociation.Honorarymemberof:Swedish,AmericanandBasquePEN.PENActions:RAN11/07andupdates.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.

AliAsgharHONARMAND,profession:Bloggerandactivist.FounderofthetechnologywebsiteNarenji,whichspecialisesingadgetnewsHosseinNOZARI,profession:writerforthetechnologywebsiteNarenji

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EhsanPAKNEJAD,profession:writerforthetechnologywebsiteNarenjiAbbasVAHEDI,profession:writerforthetechnologywebsiteNarenjiSentence:11yearsinprison,sevenyears,fiveyearsandtwo-and-a-halfyearsinprison,respectivelyDateofarrest:17February2016Detailsofarrest:Hornamandwasamongatleast16peopletobearrestedinthesouthernprovinceofKermanaspartofacrackdownbytheintelligenceforcesoftheRevolutionaryGuards.OthersdetainedincludethefollowingNarenjistaffmembers:RezaNozari,AmirSadeghpour,MehdiFaryabiandMaliheNakhaei.Halfofthosearrestedhavesincebeenreleasedonbail,althoughtherest,includingNarenji'sstaff,arethoughttoremainindetention.TheheadofKerman'sjusticedepartment,AliTavakoli,allegedthatthosearrestedhadparticipatedinprojectsrunbytheBBCandreceivedfundsderivingfromLondon.Believedtohavebeenreleasedpendingcompletionoftrialproceedingsonanunknowndate.Currentplaceofdetention:AprisoninKermanprovinceDetailsoftrial:Sentencedalongwithsevenothers(fivereceivedsuspendedsentences)inJune2014inconnectionwith‘designingsites,websites,andcreatingcontentformediahostiletothesystem’apparentlyundertheCyber-CrimesLaw.Honarmand’sappealwasheardinBranch1oftheAppealsCourtinKermanon30November2015.Update:AccordingtoreportsdatedFebruary2016,Honarmand,Nozari,PaknejadandVahediweretakentoprisonon17February2016toheartheCourtofAppeals’verdict,atwhichtheirsentenceswerereportedlyupheld.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

*RoyaSABERINEGADNOBAKHT(f)Profession:NetizenSentence:FiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:October2013Detailsofarrest:ArrestedatShirazairportinOctober2013onarrivalfromTehranCurrentplaceofdetention:EvinprisonDetailsoftrial:On27May2014,Branch28oftheRevolutionaryCourtinTehranreportedlysentencedSaberiNegadNobakhtto20years’imprisonment,whichwassubsequentlyreducedtofiveyearsinApril2015.Shefacedchargesof’plottingtocommitcrimesagainstsecurity’and‘insultingtheHolysanctities’,foraFacebookpostshewrotecriticisingtheIranianauthoritiesforbeing‘tooIslamic’,acrimewhich,underArticle53ofIran’sPenalCode,carriesaprisontermbetweenoneandfiveyearsandundersomecircumstancescanbepunishablebydeath.Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoreportsfromJuly2014,Royawastorturedinprisonandwasdeniedmedicationfordepression.Healthconcerns:AccordingtoareportbyReportersWithoutBorders,Royahasfaintedseveraltimesinhercell.Afterfallingduringafiton7December2015,shewastakentotheprisoninfirmarywherethedoctordeclaredhertobeina‘normal’state,andinjectedherwithatranquilizer.Thenextdayshehadconvulsionsandlostconsciousness.Aneurologistsaidherfaintingwasduetoa‘drugprescriptionerrorbytheinfirmary’andrequestedforhertobetransferredtoahospitalwithspecialisedfacilities.Thisrequestwasrefusedbyprisonofficials.Shehasalsosufferedsignificantweightlossduringhertimeinprison.Background:Roya,aBritishnational,wasborninIran,buthasBritishcitizenshipandhadbeenlivingintheUKwithherhusbandsince2007.

MohammadSadiqKABUDVANDProfession:EditorofPayam-eMardom-eKurdistanjournalandKurdishrightsactivistDateofarrest:1July2007Sentence:(1)10years’imprisonment(2)sixmonths’imprisonment.Detailsofarrest:SecurityofficersreportedlyarrestedKabudvandatworkinTehranbeforeconfiscatingcomputers,books,photographs,familyfilmsandpersonaldocumentsfromhishome.Hespentthefirstfivemonthsofhisdetentioninsolitaryconfinement.Hisfamilywasunabletoraisethebailtofreehimpendingtrial.Currentplaceofdetention:Section350ofEvinPrisonDetailsoftrial:Kabudvand’strialbeganon25May2008.On22June2008,theTehranRevolutionaryCourtsentencedhimto11years’imprisonmentfor1)establishingtheKurdistanHumanRightsOrganisation(10years)and2)propagandaagainstthesystem(1year).TheTehranAppealCourtupheldandreducedthe

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sentenceto10yearson23October2008.KabudvandwasreportedlyrecommendedforconditionalreleasebythechiefwardenofEvinPrisoninFebruary2016,whichwassubsequentlydeniedbytheprosecutor.Update:ReportsindicatethatKabudvandwassummonedforinterrogationthreetimesinMarch2016inconnectionwithinvestigationsintowhetherhehasbeen‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’.On24May2016,KabudvandappearedbeforearevolutionarycourtinTehraninrelationtotheseallegations,whichaccusedhimfirstlyofsendingamessagetothepeopleofKobaniinSyria,praisingtheirstruggleagainstISISandcallingforpeacebetweentheKurdsandtheTurkishgovernment,andsecondlyofwritingauniversitypaperonhumanrightsinIran’sprisons.Kabudvandwasalsoallegedlymisinformedthataggregationruleswouldbeappliedtohiscasetoreducehissentencebysixmonths.Itwasreportedon10June2016thatacourthadrejectedthesenewchargesagainstKabudvand.Conditionsindetention:Kabudvdandwasallegedlyheldincommunicadoandsufferedilltreatment.Healthconcerns:Kabudvdandsuffersfromhighbloodpressure,skinandkidneyconditionsandhaslostconsiderableamountsofweightsincehisarrest.On19May2008hewasdeniedmedicalcarefollowingastroke;hesufferedasecondstrokeinDecember2008.InJune2011anindependentdoctorstatedthatKabudvandneededtwooperationsforhardeningoftheheartarteriesandanenlargedprostate,whichisthoughttobearesultofcancer.InMay2012hestartedahungerstriketoprotestbeingdeniedpermissiontovisithisson,whosuffersfromararebloodcondition,butendeditafter59dayson27July2012whenhewasgrantedleave.Update:On8May2016,Kabudvandbegananewhungerstrikeinprotestathiscontinuedimprisonmentandthepossibilityofnewchargesbeingbroughtagainsthim(seeabove).Accordingtohisfamily,followingrecenttestsKabudvandwasduebackinhospitalon17May2016butwasnottakentotheappointment.Havingbeenadmittedtohospitalon22Mayafterfallingunconscious,possiblyfromlowpotassiumlevelsresultingfromhishungerstrikehewasreturnedtoprisonon5June2016.Accordingtoreportsfrom10June2016,Kabudvandendedhishungerstrikewhenheheardthenewchargesbroughtagainsthimhadbeendropped.Hewasreleasedonashortfurloughon13June2016andreturnedtoprisonon19June.Background:KabudvandandseveralotherKurdishhumanrightsdefendersandjournalistsweredetainedon2August2005followingprotestsinKurdistan’scapital,Sanandaj.Kabudvandwasreportedlysentencedto10months’imprisonmenton18August2005for‘separatistpropaganda’,andheldinsolitaryconfinementfor66daysbeforebeingfreedonbail.KabudvandwasallegedlyorderedbytheOfficefortheExecutionofSentenceson22September2006toserveouttheremainderofhissentence,butwasreleasedinApril2007.Otherinformation:KabudvandwasChairoftheKurdishHumanRightsOrganization(RMMK)andformerlyEditorofPayam-eMardom-eKurdestan(KurdistanPeople’sMessage),aweeklypublishedinKurdishandPersian,whichwasbannedon27June2004for‘disseminatingseparatistideasandpublishingfalsereports’.AlthoughthebanwassubsequentlyliftedbytheSupremeCourt,thepaperhasnotappearedagain.Heisalsotheauthorofthreeunpublishedbooks,twoonthesubjectofdemocracyandathirdonthewomen’smovementinIran.TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionfoundhisdetentiontobearbitrary,callingforhisforreleaseandrighttocompensation.Awards:Recipientofthe2009Hellmann/Hammettprizeandthe2009InternationalJournalistsaward.Honorarymember:AustrianPENandSwedishPEN.PENAction:RAN30/07–18July2007;Update#2–4June2008;Update#3–2July2008;Update#4–4November2008;Update#5–7June2016;Update#6–14June2016

SaeedMADANI:Profession:SociologistandformereditorialboardmemberofthebannedmagazineIran-eFardaandformereditor-in-chiefofthequarterlyRefah-eEjtemaee(JournalofSocialWelfare)DateofBirth:1960Sentence:SixyearsinprisonDateofarrest:7January2012Currentplaceofdetention:MadaniwasinitiallyheldinSection209ofTehran’sEvinprison,

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wherehespenttwo-and-a-halfmonthsinsolitaryconfinement.HewastransferredtoSection350on15December2012,thenmovedtosolitaryconfinementinApril2013aftertakingpartinaprotestinprison.InMarch2014,MadaniwastransferredtoRajeeShahrPrisoninKaraj.HewastransferredtoBandarAbbasprisonon16March2016.Detailsoftrial:MadaniwastriedinJanuary2013andsentencedtosixyears’imprisonment,tobespentinexileinprisoninBandarAbbas,and10yearsofenforcedresidencyinBandarAbbascityafteraconvictionof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’and‘gatheringandcolludingwithintenttoharmnationalsecurity.’TheseaccusationsarebelievedtorelatetohisactivitiesintheNationalReligiousAllianceandintheoppositionGreenMovement.AccordingtotheInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIran,hewasdeniedaretrialinOctober2015whichhehadrequestedonthebasisofchangestothePenalCode.Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,on28November2015Madaniwasinjuredinprisonbyothernon-politicalinmates.MadaniandFaghih,anotherpoliticalprisoner,werewoundedinthefacebyaknife.Theyreportedlystartedahungerstrikeintheaftermathoftheattackinprotestatthelackofprotectionfromtheprisonguards.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:Madaniisawell-knownresearcherandsociologistandmemberoftheNationalReligiousAlliance(Melli-Mazhabi).

NargesMOHAMMADI(f):Profession:FormerVice-PresidentandspokespersonoftheDefendersofHumanRightsCentreandindependentjournalistSentence:10years’imprisonmentDateofarrest:5May2015Currentplaceofdetention:EvinprisonDetailsoftrial:Mohammadi’strialwasinitiallyscheduledfor3May2015butwaspostponed;itwaspostponedtwicemoreon6Julyand7October2015.On20April2016,aTehranRevolutionaryCourtconvictedMohammadiof‘gatheringandcolludingwithintenttoharmnationalsecurity,’(fiveyears’imprisonment),‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’(oneyear’simprisonment)and‘foundingandrunninganillegalorganisation’forherworkadvocatingagainstthedeathpenaltywithacampaigningorganisationcalledStepbySteptoStoptheDeathPenalty(Legam),whoseactivitiestheIranianauthoritiesconsidercontroversial(tenyears’imprisonment).Althoughthetotalsentenceis16years’imprisonment,underprovisionswithinIran’s2013penalcode,apersonsentencedtoseveraljailtermsservesthelongestsentence,meaningthatifthesentenceisupheldonappeal,shewillserve10moreyearsinprison.Mohammadi’sfamilywerenotifiedofthesentenceon17May2016,andon28June2016Mohammadi’shusbandstatedthatsheintendedtoappealit.EvidenceusedagainstMohammadiincludedmediainterviewsshehadconducted,herconnectionstohumanrightsdefenders,aswellasheractivitiesagainstthedeathpenalty,includingherworkwithStepbySteptoStoptheDeathPenalty.ItalsoincludedherMarch2014meetingwiththeEUHighRepresentativeforForeignAffairs&SecurityPolicyCatherinAshton.Sheisalreadyservingasix-yearprisonsentenceforsimilarcharges.Conditionsofdetention:InMay2016,MohammadiwrotetothePENmembershiptoexpressherconcernfortheuseofsolitaryconfinementasaformoftorture.Accordingtoherfamily,Mohammadihasonlybeengrantedinfrequentcontactwithhertwochildren,despiterepeatedrequests.Accordingtoherhusband,inJune2016Mohammadistartedahungerstrikeinprotestatthelackofcontactpermittedwithherchildren.Healthconcerns:Mohammadisuffersfromaneurologicaldisorderwhichcausesmuscularparalysisaccompaniedbyseizuresandtemporarylossofvision.On2August2015,Mohammadiwastransferredtohospitalafteranattack.Accordingtonewsreports,shewastakenbacktoprisonwithinfewhours,againstspecialists’advice.HerhusbandstatesthattheJudiciaryisprohibitingherhospitalisationalthoughithasbeendemandedbytheprison’sinfirmary.Shewashospitalisedagainon11October2015aftersufferinganotherseizure.On20October2015,theInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIranreportedthatMohammadiwasstillinhospital,chainedtoabedandthatshewasbeingdeniedadequatetreatmentforher

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neurologicalcondition.Accordingtofamilymembers,Mohammadiistakingmorethan20pillsadaytopreventseizuresandothercomplicationsrelatedtoherneurologicalcondition.Herdoctorshavesaidthattakingthismedicationforaprolongedperiodoftimecouldbedetrimental,butcontinuetoprescribeitastheauthoritiesrefusetohospitaliseherexceptforbriefperiodswhenherconditiondeteriorates.Background:Since2009Mohammadihasbeenbannedfromtravellingabroad.In2010shewasbrieflydetainedandinApril2012shewasconvictedfor‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’,‘membershipoftheDefendersofHumanRightsCentre’and‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’.Shespentseveralmonthsinprison,butwaslaterreleasedonbailonmedicalgrounds.Mohammadiisthemotheroftwinsbornin2006,andthewifeofprominentjournalistandactivistTaghiRahmani(seepreviouscaselists),whohasspentatotalof17yearsinprison.TaghiRahmanileftthecountryinMay2011followingescalatingpressurefromtheauthorities.TheirchildrenjoinedhiminJuly2015.Otherinformation:DuringhertimeasVice-PresidentoftheDefendersofHumanRightsCentre,Mohammadiadvocatedforhumanrightsreform,representingpoliticalprisonersandprisonersofconscienceinlegalproceedingsprobono.SheisalsothefounderofStepbySteptoStopDeathPenalty(Legam),anorganisationthatcampaignsagainstthedeathpenaltyinIran(see2012CaseList).Awards:2009Alexander Langer Award,2013PEN/OxfamNovibFreedomofExpressionaward,2016CityofParisawardforpersecutedjournalistsHonoraryMember:DanishPEN,PENClubBelgique,SwedishPENPENActions:RAN20/12andupdates;InternationalWomen’sDayAction2016;RAN08/16(12April2016);update1toRAN08/16(24May2016)

SaeedPOURHEYDAR:Profession:JournalistfornumerousreformistmediaoutletsincludingHambastegi,Mardomsalari,Sobh-eEmroozandbloggerDateofBirth:1981Sentence:Fiveyears’imprisonmentanda10-yearbanonworkingasajournalistDateofarrest:4January2015Detailsofarrest:PourheydarhadbeenlivinginTurkeyandAmericasince2009.UponhisreturntoIranhewasdetained.Currentplaceofdetention:Raja’iShahrprisonDetailsoftrial:Pourheydarwaschargedwith‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthestate’,‘insultingthepresident’,‘spreadingliesthroughcyberspace’and‘questioningIslamicprinciples’.On3August2015,hewassentencedtofiveyearsinprisonandabanonworkingasajournalist.Update:Pourheydarappealedhisconvictionbuthasnotreceivedadateforhishearing.Toprotestdelaysinhistrial,Pourheydarallegedlysewedhislipsshutandstartedahungerstrikeon16April2016.Healthconcerns:AccordingtoHumanRightsActivistsNewsAgency(HRANA),PourheydarwastransferredtoImamKhomeinihospitalon2May2015,sufferingfromgeneralweaknessandphysicalproblemsfollowingahungerstrike.Background:Pourheydarwasdetainedtwiceafterthedisputedpresidentialelectionof2009.On6February2010,hespentonemonthinsideWard240ofEvinprisonandon10October2012hespent52daysinprison.Hewasaccusedofvarious‘offences’including‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem,insultingtheSupremeLeader,andpublishingfalsehoodsontheInternet’andwaseventuallysentencedtofiveyearsinprisonfor‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’forparticipatinginprotests,suspendedforfiveyears.Hissentencewasreducedtofouryearsinprisononappeal,plusanotherthreeyears’suspendedsentence.Pourheydarleftthecountryin2011whenhereceivedasummonstobeginservinghissentence.Whileabroad,hetestifiedtohumanrightsorganisations,includingIranHumanRightsDocumentationCentre,aboutprisonabuseandtorture.

HosseinRAFIEE:Profession:RetiredTehranUniversitychemistryprofessorandwriterSentence:Six-yearprisonsentence,two-yearbanonpoliticalandjournalisticactivitiesandafineDateofarrest:16June2015Detailsofarrest:Rafieewasreportedlyarrestedon16June2015by

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theIntelligenceMinistrywithoutanarrestwarrantandtakentotheEvinprisonprosecutioncentre.Currentplaceofdetention:Section8ofEvinprisonDetailsoftrial:On25May2015,Branch15oftheRevolutionaryCourtinTehransentencedRafieetofiveyearsinprisonfor‘membershipofanillegalandanti-nationalsecuritygroup’(MelliMazhabi),oneyearfor‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’bygivinginterviewstomedia‘whoareagainstthestate’andfor‘issuingstatementsagainstthestate’ssecurity’.HewasalsofinedforpossessionofaTVsatellitedishandreceiver,andwassentencedtoatwo-yearbanonpoliticalandjournalistactivities.Conditionofdetention:HisfamilystatedthatRafiee’s20-metrecellwhichheshareswith27otherprisonersisverycrowded.Hereportedlysleepsonthefloor,asthereareonlysixthree-bunkbedsinthecell.Evinprisonisalsoknownforbeingpoorlyventilated,withfilthy,insect-infestedcellslackingpropersanitationfacilities.AccordingtoRafiee,thereareonlyfivetoiletsandshowersforatleast200prisoners.AccordingtoInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIran,Rafiee’sdaughterisdeeplyconcernedregardingtheprisonconditionsinwhichRafieeisbeingheld.SomeoftheinmatesinSection8ofEvinPrisonreportedlysufferfromHepatitisBandCandareHIVpositive.Theyarenot,however,receivingspecialisedtreatmentandtheauthoritiesdonottakethenecessarymeasurestopreventothersfrombeinginfected.Inaddition,Rafieeisbeingheldwithdrugtraffickersandfinancialcriminals,whilstIranianlawestablishesthatinmatesshouldbeseparatedaccordingtonatureoftheircrimes.Rafiee’sdaughteralsoclaimsthatherfatherisnotgivendairyproductsorfruitandthattheprisoncellsarenotdisinfectedregularly.Nofurthernewsas30June2016.Healthconcerns:Accordingtohisson,Rafieeisover70yearsoldandsuffersfromaheartcondition,highbloodpressure,thyroidproblemsandsevereallergies.Rafieebeganahungerstrikefollowinghisarrest,alsorefusingtotakemedication.Rafieeendedhishungerstrikeon20June2015.HisfamilywasconcernedduetothelackofmedicalequipmentintheprisonasRafieeisnotallowedtomonitorhisbloodpressureregularly.Background:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,onemonthafterhisarrestRafieewastoldthatthereasonforhisarrestwasapreviousfour-yearsentence.In2004aRevolutionaryCourtconvictedhimofbeingmemberofan‘illegalgroup’MelliMezhabi(NationalReligiousAlliance).HehadbeenarrestedinFebruary2001withothermembersofthebannedpoliticalpartyMelliMazhabi,whichadvocatesforsocialandpoliticalreform.Hespentsixmonthsinsolitaryconfinementbeforebeingreleasedonbail.Otherinformation:RafieeisavocalsupporterofthenucleartalksbetweenIranandtheP5+1(China,France,Russia,theUnitedKingdom,theUnitedStatesplusGermany)whichresultedintheliftingofsanctionsagainstIran.HeisalsoamemberofNationalPeaceCouncil,foundedin2008byNobelPeaceLaureateShirinEbadi.Rafieebelievesthatanagreementcouldreducethethreatofwarandtheeasingofeconomicsanctions,outlinedina120-pageanalysisofthenuclearsituation(TheGenevaAgreement).HesentthereporttoIranianauthoritiesandpublisheditonhiswebsite;afewindependentmediaalsopublishedasummary.Healsostatedthatthereleaseofpoliticalprisoners,freeandfairelectionsandimprovementofhumanrightsinIranwererequiredforasustainablefutureforIran.Accordingtohisson,rightaftertheanalysiswaspublished,theIntelligenceMinistrythreatenedRafieeandstartedlimitinghisactivities.InJune2014hisresidencesinTehranandDamavandwereraidedandarchives,papersandlaptopsconfiscated.Rafieewasthenarrested,laterreleasedonbailandbannedfromleavingthecountry.ItisbelievedthattheIntelligenceMinistrypressuredthejudiciarytore-openhiscase.

MahvashSABET(f):Profession:TeacherandpoetDateofbirth:1953Dateofarrest:5March2008Sentence:20yearsinprisonDetailsofarrest:MahvashSabetwasarrestedon5March2008whileonatriptoMashhad.Shewasimprisonedwithoutchargefor20months,duringwhichtimeshewasheldincommunicadoforseveralweeksanddeniedaccesstolegalcounsel.Sabetreportedlysufferedfrommaltreatmentwhileindetention.Currentplaceofdetention:Evin

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prison,TehranDetailsoftrial:Sabet’strialbeganon12January2010alongwiththatofthesixothermembersoftheYaran-i-Iran(seebelow).Thechargesagainstthesevenwereasfollows:espionage,propagandaagainsttheIslamicrepublic,theestablishmentofanillegaladministration,cooperationwithIsrael,sendingsecretdocumentsoutsidethecountry,actingagainstthesecurityofthecountry,andcorruptiononearth.Someofthecharges,includingthelastonewhichcarriesadeathsentence,werelaterdropped.Allthedefendantscategoricallydeniedthechargesagainstthem.Thetrialendedon14June2010aftersixbriefsessions,characterisedbytheirlackofduelegalprocess.Eachofthedefendantswasinitiallysentencedto20years’imprisonment.Onemonthlater,theappealcourtrevokedthreeofthechargesandreducedtheirsentencesto10-yearjailterms.InMarch2011,theprisonerswereinformedthattheiroriginal20-yearsentenceswerereinstated.Inspiteofrepeatedrequests,neithertheprisonersnortheirattorneyshaveeverreceivedofficialcopiesoftheoriginalverdictortherulingonappeal.Otherinformation:SabetisoneofsevenBaha’ileadersknownasthe‘Yaran-i-Iran’–or‘FriendsofIran’–thenow-disbandedgroupwhichworkedtosupportthespiritualandsocialneedsofIran’s300,000Baha’is.TheothersixareFaribaKamalabadi,JamaloddinKhanjani,AfifNaeimi,SaeidRezaie,BehrouzTavakkoli,andVahidTizfahm,allofwhomwerearrestedon14May2008attheirhomesinTehran.LikeSabet,allwereimprisonedwithoutchargefor20monthsandheldincommunicadoforweeksanddeniedaccesstolegalcounsel.Allsufferedappallingtreatmentanddeprivationsduringpre-trialdetention.TheBaha’ifaithhasbeenthefocusofsystematic,state-sponsoredpersecutioninIransincethe1979revolution,whenallBaha’i-electedandappointedinstitutionswerebanned.The‘FriendsinIran’groupwasthenformedwiththefullknowledgeofthegovernmentandservedasaninformalcouncilfortheBaha’iinIranuntilitsentiremembershipwasarrestedin2008.SabetbeganherprofessionalcareerasateacherandalsoworkedwiththeNationalLiteracyCommitteeofIran.AftertheIslamicrevolution,shewasfiredfromherjobandblockedfromworkinginpubliceducation.Beforeherarrest,sheservedfor15yearsasdirectoroftheBaha’iInstituteforHigherEducation,whichprovidesalternativehighereducationforBaha’iyouth.Sheismarriedandhastwochildren.Mahvashbeganwritingpoetryinprison,andacollectionofherprisonpoemswaspublishedinEnglishtranslationon1April2013.In2008,theUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention,inopinion34/2008foundtheimprisonmentofthesevenBaha’ileaderstobearbitraryandrequestedtheirimmediateandunconditionalrelease.Honorarymemberof:AustrianPENandDanishPEN.PENAction:DayoftheImprisonedWritercase2015,OpenletterfromAlbertoManguel;InternationalWomens’Daycase2016

ReyhanehTABATABAEI(f):Profession:JournalistforSharghandBaharSentence:Oneyearinprisonandatwo-yearbanonmembershipofpoliticalparties,groups,politicalassociationsandonactivitiesinthemediaandcyberspace.Dateofarrest:January2016Detailsofarrest:Tabatabaeiwasoriginallyarrestedon21June2014followingasummonsbytheOfficeoftheProsecutorinEvinPrisoninformingherofnewchargesbroughtagainstherinaseparatecasefromDecember2010.Shewasreportedlyreleasedonbailafterbeinginformedofthenewcharges,butwasthenre-arrestedthesamedaytoserveherprisonsentenceinrelationtotheDecember2010arrest.Detailsoftrial:Afterspendingoverfourmonthsindetentionin2014(see2014Caselist),on30November2014theTehranRevolutionaryCourtsentencedTabatabaeitooneyearinprisonandatwo-yearbanonmembershipinpoliticalparties,groups,politicalassociationsandonactivitiesinthemediaandcyberspacefor‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’.ThechargeswereallegedlybroughtagainstTabatabaeiduetoaninterviewsheledwithaprominentIranianSunnileader.Therulingwasmadepublicon28December2014.On17November2015,theTehranappealscourtupheldthesentenceofoneyear’simprisonmentandatwo-yearbanofjournalisticandpoliticalactivity.Update:

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TabatabaeibeganservingherprisonsentenceinJanuary2016.Background:TabatabaeiwaspreviouslyarrestedinDecember2010forreportingonthearrestofpoliticalprisonersafterthe2009presidentialelection,whenshespent36daysinsolitaryconfinementbeforeherrelease.InJanuary2013shespentanothermonthinprisonaspartofawidespreadclampdownonjournalists.ATehranRevolutionaryCourtsentencedhertoaone-yearprisontermon2April2012foralleged‘propagandaagainstthesystem’.TheoppositionnewssiteKalamesaidthesentencerelatedtoher‘campaigningforfreeelectionsthrough[promoting]theeliminationoftheCounciloftheGuardians’vettingpowers,[advocatingfor]reformsintheCounciloftheGuardians,freepress,freepoliticalparties’and‘publishingthenewsofpoliticalprisoners’.Hersentencewaslaterreducedonappealtosixmonths’actualandsixmonths’suspendedimprisonmentwhichsheservedin2014.Shewasarrestedon21June2014andreleasedonexpiryofhersentence.

Detained-maincase

AfarineCHITSAZ,(f)Profession:JournalistofdailyIranEhsanMAZANDARANI,Profession:PublisherofFarhikhteganSamanSAFARZAI,Profession:JournalistofmonthlyAndisherPoyaDateofarrest:2November2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,theywerearrestedon2November2015alongwithIssaSaharkhiz(seebelow)andanotherjournalistwhohasnotbeennamed.MediaoutletsoftheRevolutionaryGuardsuchasTasnim,FarsNews,andnationalradioandTV,reportedlybroadcastinformationabouttheirdetentionevenbeforetheirfamilieswereawareoftheirarrest.TheIntelligenceUnitoftheRevolutionaryGuardshasaccusedthefivearrestedjournalistsofbeingmembersofan‘infiltrationnetwork’cooperatingwithhostileforeigngovernments.Otherinformation:On11November2015,theUNissuedastatementdenouncingtheharassmentandpersecutionagainstjournalistsinIranaheadofparliamentaryelections.Itreferredtotheircases,alongwithIssaSaharkhiz(seebelow),whowerealldetainedon2November2015.

YaghmaFAKHSHAMI:Profession:JournalistatthenewspaperRouzanDateofarrest:25December2014Detailsofarrest:Afterbeingdetainedfortwodays,FakhshamiwastransferredtoEvinprisonwithoutanychargeslaidagainsthim.Currentplaceofdetention:EvinprisonBackground:TwodaysbeforeFakhshami’sarrest,theTehranprosecutor’sofficeorderedRouzantobeshutdown.Noreasonsweregiven,althoughitisbelievedthatwasduetothepublishingofaspecialeditionon20December2014onthefifthanniversaryofthedeathofGrandAyatollahHusseinAliMontazeri,whohadbeenputunderhousearrestduetodisagreementswithSupremeLeaderKhomeiniandSupremeLeaderKhamenei.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.

*HomaHOODFAR(f):Profession:AcademicDateofarrest:6June2016Detailsofarrest:Prof.HoodfarwasarrestedanddetainedinEvinprison,Tehranon6June2016.Reasonforarrest:Althoughtheexactreasonforherarrestremainsunclear,on24June2016,theTehranPublicProsecutorreportedlyannouncedthatDrHoodfarwasunderinvestigationfor‘dabblinginfeminismandsecuritymatters.’NewsreportsreleasedaroundthistimesuggestthatProf.Hoodfaris,morespecifically,beingchargedwithattemptingtofomentafeminist‘softrevolution’againsttheIslamicRepublic.ThefamilyareconcernedthattheIranianmediaseemtohaveaccesstoProf.Hoodfar’scasefile.Placeofdetention:EvinPrisonConditionsindetention:Accordingtothefamily,Prof.Hoodfarhasbeendeniedaccesstoherfamilyandthecasefileagainsther.Sheisreportedtobeheldinsolitaryconfinement.Health

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concerns:Prof.HoodfarsuffersfromtherareneurologicalillnessMyastheniaGravis.Lastyear,shesufferedamildstroke.Reportsfromherfamilysuggestthatshehasnotbeengrantedaccesstoherprescriptionmedicationwhileindetention.Background:Prof.HoodfarisaprofessorofanthropologyatConcordiaUniversityinMontreal,Canada.Arenownedanthropologist,herworkhasfocusedontheroleofwomenandthefamilyinMuslimsocieties.Shehaspublishedextensivelyondiversetopicsincludingpoverty,development,women’slaborforceandpoliticalparticipation,familylaw,andrefugeesinmanydifferentcountriesintheMiddleEast,Canada,andSouthAsia.Prof.HoodfarhadtravelledtoIraninFebruary2016tovisitfamilymembersandtoconductresearchonwomen’sparticipationinpubliclifebyaccessingtheIranianparliamentarylibrary.HervisithappenedtocoincidewiththenationalelectionsinIran,duringwhichmanywomencandidateswereelectedtoparliament.ShehadrecentlypublishedaninterviewinZananmagazine.Intheweeksbeforeherarrest,ProfHoodfar’sfamilyreportthatshehadcomeunderthescrutinyofthesecurityforcesoftheCounterIntelligenceUnitoftheIranianRevolutionaryguards.ShortlybeforeshewasduetoreturntoCanada,theauthoritiesarereportedtohaveraidedherhomeon10March2016,confiscatingallofherpersonalbelongings,includingherpassports,researchdocumentsandcomputer.Prof.Hoodfarwasrequiredtoprovideabailandprohibitedfromleavingthecountry.Shewassubjectedtoatleast10subsequentinterrogations;herarreston6June2016followedanothersuchinterrogation.[Stoppress:Prof.HoodfarwasreleasedfromEvinprisonon26September2016.]

ZahraRAHNAVARD(f):Profession:Academic,writerandpoliticianDateofarrest:February2011Detailsofarrest: RahnavardhasbeenheldunderunofficialhousearrestinTehransinceFebruary2011forherandherhusband’spoliticalactivism.RahnavardandoppositionleadersMirHosseinMousaviandMehdiKarroubiwereplacedunderhousearrestaftercallingforpopulardemonstrationsonsocialmediainsupportofthepeopleofTunisiaandEgypt.Therehavenotbeenanyofficiallegalproceedingsagainstthem.Bothmenhadalludedtovotefraudinthedisputed2009presidentialelection,whichwasfollowedbyawidespreadcrackdownonprotestsagainsttheresult.InthewakeoftheprotestsandKarroubiandMousavi’scriticismbothoftheelectionandallegedhumanrightsviolationsbystateagents,theauthoritiesbegantightlymonitoringandcontrollingtheirandtheirwives’movements,alsosuspendingthepresidentialcandidates’newspapersEtemad-eMelliandKalame-yeSabz.Update:InanarticlepublishedonKalemewebsiteon8March2016,Rahnavard’sdaughtersreportedlysaidthatherhealthisindeclineunderhousearrest;Rahnavardisallegedlysufferingfromdigestiveandswallowingproblems.HerdaughtersalsoexpressedconcernoverMousavi’sheartcomplications,whicharenotbeingmonitoredwhileunderhousearrest.Otherinformation:DrRahnavardisaleadingIranianacademic,writer,artistandpolitician.SheservedastheChancellorofAlzahraUniversityfrom1998–2006,becomingthefirstfemalechancellorofauniversitysincetheIslamicRevolutionin1979.Duringthistime,shealsoservedaspoliticaladvisortoPresidentKhatami.Sheisamemberofthereformistoppositiongroup,theGreenPathofHope,headedbyherhusband,Mir-HosseinMousavi.DrRahnavardisalsotheauthorof15books.Bornin1945,andthemotherofthreedaughters,ZahraRahnavardisacommittedwomen’srightsactivist.ShebrokeconventionbycampaigningonherhusbandMir-HosseinMousavi’s2009presidentialcampaign,becomingthefirstwomantodosoinIran.Hermantraonthecampaigntrail–that‘gettingridofdiscriminationanddemandingequalrightswithmenisthenumberonepriorityforwomeninTehran’–iscreditedwithgalvanisingyoungwomentovote.SheisalsoadevoutMuslimandvocalsupporterofthehijab,arguingthatitliberateswomen,thoughshehassaiditshouldbeawoman'schoicetowearit.On30March2012,initsopinion30/2012theUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionfoundthehousearrestofthethreetobearbitraryandrequested

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thattheybereleasedandaffordedanenforceablerighttocompensationPENactions:DayoftheImprisonedWritercase2013

MohsenSADEGHINIA:Profession:BloggerofOpeneyesDateofarrest:5September2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,SadeghiniawasarrestedafterhisblogwasshutdownbyIranianauthorities.Reportedly,SadeghiniapublishedarticlesabouthumanrightsviolationsinIranandwasparticularlycriticaloftheincreaseofpublicexecutionsinthecountry.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.

IssaSAHARKHIZ:Profession:JournalistandpoliticalactivistDateofarrest:2November2015Detailsofarrest:SaharkhizwasdetainedbytheIslamicRevolutionaryGuardCorps(IRGC),whoaccusedhimof‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’and‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthestate’.Accordingtohisson,Saharkhiz’shomewasraidedandelectronicdevicesconfiscated.Saharkhizwasoneoffivejournalistsarrestedatthesametime(seeAfarineCHITSAZ,EhsanMAZANDARANI,andSamanSAFARZAIabove).MediaoutletsoftheRevolutionaryGuardsuchasTasnimandFarsNews,aswellasnationalradioandTV,reportedlybroadcastinformationabouttheirdetentionbeforetheirfamilieswereawareoftheirarrest.TheIntelligenceUnitoftheRevolutionaryGuardsaccusedthefivearrestedjournalistsofbeingmembersofan‘infiltrationnetwork’cooperatingwithhostileforeigngovernments.Detailsoftrial:Saharkhizwasreportedlychargedwith‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’and‘propagandaagainstthestate.’Saharkhizwasduetofacetrialon5March2016,buttheproceedingswerepostponedwhenhislawyercomplainedthattheyhadnotbeengivenaccesstohiscasefileuntilthedayofthetrial.Healthconcerns:Saharkhizsuffersfromheartdisease,forwhichhewashospitalisedwhileservinghispreviousprisonsentence.Hereportedlytoldhisfamilywhenhewasarrestedthathewouldgoonawethungerstrikeinprotestathisarrestandthatifhewasnotreleasedaftertwoweeks,hewouldgoonadryhungerstrike.Heendedthehungerstrikeon19December2015after48daysattherequestoffamilyandfriendswhowereconcernedabouthishealth.Saharkhizresumedhishungerstrikeonoraround7January2016inprotestatthefailuretobringanychargesagainsthimandwhenhewasnotreleasedonbailasscheduledon2January2016.Background:SaharkhizwasformerlyDeputyMinisterofCultureinIran.Followingthe2009elections,heservedafour-yearsentenceinEvinprisonfor‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’and‘propagandaagainstthesystem’.Onexpiryofhissentence,hespokepubliclyaboutprisonconditions,referringtohisfrequentspellinsolitaryconfinementandbeatingsbytheguards.Otherinformation:On11November2015,theUNissuedastatementdenouncingtheharassmentandpersecutionagainstjournalistsinIranaheadofparliamentaryelections.Thestatementreferredtothecaseofallfourjournalistsdetainedon2November2015.

ArashZAD:Profession:BloggerofWebloginaandArashzadandinformationtechnologyexpertDateofarrest:31July2015Dateofdetention:Zadwasarrestedon31July2015inTehranairportwhenhewastravellingtoTurkey,wherehehadbeenlivingforthepasttwoyears.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,Zad’swhereaboutsandanychargesbroughtagainsthimareunknown.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:AccordingtoInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIran,hereceivedaUNWorldSummitYouthAwardin2014forLadybugwhichattemptedtoincreasetheparticipationofIranwomenintheinformationtechnologysector.Thewebsiteiscurrentlyunavailable.ZadreportedlypublishedhisviewsonIrangovernmentalpoliciesfrequentlyontheInternet.

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ShayanAKBARPOURandMahmoudMOUSAVIFAR:Profession:InternetactivistsandbloggersDateofarrest:31May2015Detailsofarrest:Plainclothesmen,believedtobefromtheRevolutionaryGuardsCorp,arrestedthetwobloggersattheirTehranhomeon31May2015.Theirfamiliesreportedthemmissingbecausetheystilldonotknowwhytheywerearrestedorwheretheyweretaken.Nofurtherinformationontheirplaceofdetentionasof30June2016.Background:ShayanandMahmudweretheadministratorsoftheFacebookpageRahianandranablogcalledRahi,whichcannotcurrentlybeaccessed.

Ontrial

AtenaDAEMI(f):Profession:CivilactivistandsocialmediauserSentence:14yearsinprisonDateofarrest:21October2014Dateofrelease:15February2016Detailsofarrest:DaemiwasreportedlyarrestedbytheIslamicRevolutionaryGuardanddetainedinEvinPrison,wheresheallegedlyspent58daysinsolitaryconfinementwithoutaccesstoalawyer.Currentplaceofdetention:EvinprisonDetailsoftrial:Daemi’sfirsthearingwasheldon7March2015,althoughtheIranianauthoritiesthenreportedlypostponedit.On12May2015,DaemiwasinformedthataTehranRevolutionaryCourthadsentencedherto14yearsinprisononchargesof‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’,‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthestate’,‘insultingtheSupremeLeaderandtheholysanctities’and‘concealingcrimeevidence’.ThecourtdidnotgrantDaemireleaseonbailasitwasexpectedthatshewouldfleethecountry.Daemihasnotacceptedanyofthechargesandhasappealedhersentence.Accordingtonewsreports,thechargesarerelatedtoherFacebookposts,informationstoredonhermobiletelephoneandherparticipationingatheringsagainstthedeathpenaltyandinsupportofthechildrenofKobane(Syria).ItisreportedthatDaemihasrepeatedlyapologisedforjokesandprotestsongsfoundonhermobiletelephonethathavebeenusedtoaccuseherofinsultingtheSupremeLeader.Update:ItwasreportedinApril2016thatDaemihadbeenreleasedonbailon15February2016,whileawaitingtheoutcomeofherappealhearing,whichwassetfor5July2016.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:HumanRightsActivistsNewsAgency(HRANA)statedon21September2015thatshehadbeensenttohospital,asshesufferedfrommultiplesclerosisdisease,althoughtestsshowedthatherhealthproblemswereduetostressandpsychologicalpressure.TheInternationalCampaignforHumanRightshasreportedthatDaemi´shealthisdeteriorating.Shesuffersfromsevereheadachesandreducedvision,buthasnotreceivedspecialisedtreatment.

MashallahSHAMSOLVAEZIN:Profession:ProminentjournalistDateofarrest:28June2014Detailsofarrest:On21June2014,ShamsolvaezinreceivedasummonstoreportforinterrogationatEvinPrison,whichhecompliedwithon28June.Dateofrelease:28June2014Detailsofrelease:Hesaidhewasreleasedonbailof2billionriyals(approximatelyUS$80,000).Detailsoftrial:On28June2014,hewroteonhisFacebookpagethathehadbeenchargedwith‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’relatedtohisinterviewswithmediaandspeecheshegaveattworegionalandinternationaljournalismconferences,includingtheIPIWorldCongressinSouthAfricainApril2014,wherehewasgivenanaward.InhisspeechhehadcalledforthereleaseofjournalistsimprisonedinIran.Atrialhearingtookplaceon30November2014.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:Shamsolvaezinistheformereditor,andinsomecasesfounder,offourreformistdailies:Kayhan,Jame’eh(laterTous),NeshatandAsr-eAzadegan,whichwereallsuccessivelyshutdownbytheIranianauthorities.Shamsolvaezinhasbeenjailedthreetimessince1998onvaguelywordednationalsecuritychargesforhiscriticismofgovernmentpolicies.Thelongestperiodbeingthe17monthshespentinIran’s

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notoriousEvinPrisonin2000to2001inconnectionwithanarticlecriticisingcapitalpunishmentthatwasdeemedinsultingtoIslamicprinciples.Hewasmostrecentlyreleasedin2010.Awards:2000CPJInternationalPressFreedomAward,InternationalPressInstitute2014WorldPressFreedomAward

Sentenced

KeywanKARIMI:Profession:FilmmakerandmemberofIran’sKurdishminorityDateofsentence:13October2015Sentence:Oneyearinprisonand223lashes,followinganappealDetailsoftrial:Karimiwasaccusedof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’inconnectionwithhis2012film‘NeveshtanRooy-eShahr’(WritingontheCity)whichhasneverbeenshowninpublic,apartfromatraileronYouTube.Karimidescribesthefilmascontaining‘graffitiandwallpaintingthatdatebackto100yearsagoinTehran.Itisthestoryofawallandhowitreflectswhathappenedinsociety.’On13October2015,aftersixtrialsessions,hewassentencedbytheBranch28ofTehranRevolutionaryCourtfor‘insultingtheholysanctities’,‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’and‘illegitimaterelations’.Humanrightsorganisationsfearthathehasbeenprosecutedbecauseofsomeofthegraffitishownwereconnectedtotheunrestintheaftermathofthedisputed2009presidentialelection.Thechargeof‘illegitimaterelations’wasbroughtbecauseheshookhandswithawomantowhomhewasnotrelated.Karimi’slawyer,AmirRaeisian,highlightedirregularitiesinthetrial,pointingoutthatatthefinalsession,thejudgewasreadingfromaverdict,eventhoughtheverdictshouldhavebeenissuedafterthetrial.Thiswascorroboratedbythedateontheverdictwhenhereceivedit,22June2015,whichpre-datedthefinaltrialsessionon22September2015.Raeisianhasalsopointedoutthataccordingtoarticle134ofIran’sIslamicPenalCode,anindividualwhofacesmultiplechargesshouldnotbesentencedtotheheaviestpenaltyinmorethanoneofthecharges,whereasKarimihasbeengiventhemaximumsentenceforbothcharges.Update:InFebruary2016,anappealscourtreducedKarimi’ssentencetooneyearinprisonand223lashes,asperhisoriginalsentence.Heisnotknowntohavebeensummonedtoprisonasof30June2016.Background:Karimiwasarrestedon14December2013andreleasedonbailafter12daysinsolitaryconfinement,duringwhichhewasaccusedofinsultingtheregimeafteramusicclipanddocumentarywerefoundonhisharddrive,eventhoughtheyhadneverbeenscreenedorsharedonline.Themusicclip,whichhadneverbeenfinalisedorshown,wasmadeforexiledIraniansingerShahinNajafiandKarimibelievesthisvideo,whichtheauthoritieshadlearnedaboutfromothersources,ledtohisarrest.‘NeveshtanRooy-eShahr’wasproducedbyTehranUniversityandprovidesanillustrationofwallwritingandgraffitiinthecityofTehran.Humanrightsorganisationsfearthathisdetentionisbecauseofsomeofthewritingsareconnectedtotheunrestintheaftermathof2009elections.Karimihadalreadybeenarrestedandreleasedonbailafterthereleaseofthefilm.ThereisalsoconcernthatKarimi’ssituationmaybeendangeredbecauseofhisKurdishSunnibackground,whicharediscriminatedagainstinIran.Otherinformation:Karimiisaprominentdocumentaryandfictionfilmsmaker.Hisdocumentary‘TheBrokenBorder’wasawardedasbestshortdocumentaryattheBeirutInternationalFilmFestivalin2013.ThisdocumentaryportrayedthepoorconditionsofKurdishpopulationnearIranianborders.Hisfilm‘TheAdventureofaMarriedCouple’waspresentedattheSanSebastian,FreiburgandZurichFilmFestivals.Thefilmtacklesthechallengesofaworking-classcouple,andwasinspiredbytheshortstoryofthesamenamebytheprominentwriterItaloCalvino.InDecember2015,morethan135IranianfilmmakersreleasedaletterdemandingthejudiciarytoacquitKarimiofhissentence.PENAction:RAN14/15;jointlettertoHeadofJudiciary.

Conditionalrelease

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AtenaFARGHADANI(f):Profession:Painterandwomens'rightsactivistSentence:12yearsandninemonthsinprison,reducedto18monthsonappealDateofarrest:10January2015Dateofrelease:3May2016Detailsofarrest:On10January2015FarghadaniwasreportedlysummonedtoaRevolutionaryCourt,whereshewasarrested.HerparentstoldreportersthatshehadbeensubjectedtobeatinginthecourtroombeforebeingtakentoGharchakprison.Detailsofrelease:AccordingtotheInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIran,Branch54oftheTehranAppealsCourtreducedFarghadani’ssentenceto18monthsatanappealhearingheldinApril2016.Herreleasedatewasinitiallysetat11May,beforeshewasreleasedearlyon3May.Farghadaniwasreportedlyacquittedofherchargesofunderminingnationalsecurity,whileherthree-yearprisonsentenceforinsultingtheSupremeLeaderwasreportedlysuspendedforfouryears.Hernine-monthprisonsentencefor‘insultingmembersofparliamentthroughpaintings’,‘insultingthePresident’and‘insultingprisonofficials’wasconvertedintoacashfineofonemillionRials(US$33).Detailsoftrial:Farghadaniwasreportedlyconvictedof’gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’,‘insultingmembersofparliamentthroughpaintings’,‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’and’insultingthePresidentandinsultingtheSupremeLeader’,amongstothercharges.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,thetriallastedhalfadayandthe‘evidence’againstherwasbasedonFarghadani’sanswerstolonginterrogations.Inaddition,shewaschargedwith‘illegitimatesexualrelationshipshortofadultery’and‘indecentconduct’.AmnestyInternationalsaidthatFarghadaniandherlawyerwereaccusedofthisduetoahandshakewhentheymettoprepareherappeal.Herlawyer,MohammadMoghimi,wasarrestedon13June2015andreleasedonbail(forUS$60,000)threedayslater.Farghadani'scasewasreferredtoBranch54oftheappealscourt.InApril2016,Branch54oftheTehranAppealsCourtreducedFarghadani’ssentenceto18monthsinprisonandshewasreleasedon3May2016Healthconcerns:On26February2015,Farghadanisufferedaheartattack,brieflylostconsciousnessandwastransferredtoahospital.Shehadgoneonathree-weekhungerstriketoprotestagainsttheextremelypoorconditionsshewasheldin.On13August2015,theInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIranstatedthatFarghadanihaddevelopedsignsoflymphaticdiseaseandthatshewaswaitingtobeseenintheprison’sinfirmaryorbesenttoaspecialist.Conditionsindetention:InOctober2015,AmnestyInternationalreportedthattheIranianauthoritieshadconfirmedthatFarghadaniwassubjectedtovirginityandpregnancytestsinAugust2015.Background:AtenaFarghadaniwasfirstdetainedinAugust2014andheldinsolitaryconfinementfortwoweekswithoutaccesstoherlawyerorfamily.Shewasreleasedonbailaftertwomonths.ShelaterpublishedavideoonYoutubeinwhichsheexposedhowshehadbeenmistreatedphysicallyinEvinprison.Inthevideosheexplainedhowshewasbeatenandinterrogatedforninehourseverydayforsixweeks.ShealsopostedanopenlettertoIran’sSupremeLeaderAyatollahKhameneionFacebook.FarghadanihadalsobeenincontactwithsomefamiliesofIraniansthathadbeenkilledduringtheunrestafter2009elections;shewasreportedlyaskedaboutthesemeetingduringtheinterrogations.Inaddition,shewaschargedforanillustrationinwhichshecriticisedparliamentmembersthatsoughttocriminalisevoluntarysterilisation,aswellasanartexhibitionnamed‘Parandegan-eKhak’(‘BirdsofEarth’)whereshereferredtothosekilledduringthe2009unrestandwhichwasattendedbyrelativesofpoliticalprisonersandmembersoftheBaha’icommunity.PENAction:MentionedinresolutiononIranadoptedat81stCongressinQuebec;mentionedinstatementonanniversaryofattackonCharlieHebdo.

KeyvanMEHREGAN:Profession:JournalistforreformistmediaandformerpoliticaleditorofnewspaperSharghSentence:Oneyearinprisonandafive-yearbanonworkingasajournalistorengaginginpoliticalactivitiesDateofarrest:26August2015Dateofrelease:11May2016Detailsof

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arrest:MehreganwasarrestedatthePassportOfficewherehehadgonetorenewhispassport.HewastransferredtoEvinPrisontoserveaone-yearsentence.Thissentencereportedlyrelatestoacasedatingbackto2010,whenhewasworkinginSharghandwasarrestedalongwiththreeotherjournalistsofthenewspaper.Detailsoftrial:On10March2012,Branch15oftheRevolutionaryCourtinTehransentencedMehregantooneyearinprisonandafive-yearbanonworkingasajournalistfor‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’.Detailsofrelease:Mehreganwasreportedlyconditionallyreleasedfromprisonon11May2016whileontemporaryleave.Background:Mehreganwasfirstarrestedon28December2009andreleasedonbailinMarch2010,havingspentmuchofthetimeinsolitaryconfinement.Hewaslatersentencedtothreeyearsinprison,suspendedforfouryears.Mehreganwasrearrestedon7December2010andreleasedon17January2011onbailof10milliontoman(around$7,500).Hewasagainrearrestedon28January2013andreleasedamonthlater.Histhirdarrestwason13June2011afterheattendedthefuneralofHodaSaber,ajournalistandpoliticalactivistwhodiedduetomedicalneglectwhilstonhungerstrikeinprison.Hewasreleasedabouttwomonthslater.Mehreganwasarrestedafourthtimeon27January2013andreleasedon23February2013.

MohammadRezaPOURSHAJARI(akaSiamakMehr):Profession:FreelancejournalisticbloggerwhowroteunderthepennameSiamakMehr.DateofBirth:1960Sentence:OneyearinprisonandtwoyearsinenforcedexileDateofarrest:30September2014Dateofreleaseintoexile:October2015Detailsofarrest:Accordingtohisdaughter,shortlyafterhisreleasefromapreviousfour-yearprisonterm,Pourshajariwasarrestedon30September2014neartheborderwithTukey.Hespent14daysinsolitaryconfinementintheIntelligenceMinistrydetentionfacilityinOrumiyeh.HewaslatertransferredtoWard8ofRajaiShahrprison,wherehewasreportedlyinterrogatedandsufferedpsychologicalpressureanddeaththreats.Detailsofrelease:PourshajariremainedindetentioninKarajforamonthafterhisone-yearprisontermexpiredon23September2015,apparentlybecausetheauthoritieshadnotyetdecidedonhisplaceofexile.ATwittercommentpostedbyhisdaughteron31October2015suggestedthathehadbeenreleasedandtransferredtoYazdtobeginhistwoyearsinexile.Conditionsofdetention:InSeptember2015,hewrotealetterexposingthepsychologicalpressure,tortureandhardconditionssufferedinprisonwhichhaveaffectedhishealth.Detailsoftrial:Pourshajariwassentencedon11March2014tooneyearinprisonandtwoyearsofenforcedexileafterhewasconvictedof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthestate’and‘actingagainstnationalsecurity’.Healthconcerns:Pourshajarihasheartproblems,havingsufferedtwoheartattacksduringhispreviousprisonterm.AccordingtoInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIran,on12October2015herdaughterwasinformedthatPourshajariisbeingheldbeyondexpiryofsentenceasauthoritiesaredecidinghisexiledestination.Reportedly,heshouldhavebeenfreedon23September2015butherdaughterfearsthatauthoritiesarepostponingthedateinordertobringfurtherchargesagainsthim.Background:Pourshajariwaspreviouslyarrestedon12September2010athishomeinKaraj,outsideTehran,inconnectionwitharticleshepublishedonhisblogGozareshbeKhaak-e-Iran(ReportstotheSoilofIran),whichwerecriticalofIran’stheologicalstate.Intelligenceagentsreportedlyconfiscatedacomputerharddrive,satellitereceiver,andnumerousdocuments.TakentoRajaieshahrPrison,hewasheldinsolitaryconfinementforeightmonths.Heclaimsthatinterrogatorstorturedhim,includingbysubjectinghimtoamockexecution.Pourshajariwasnotallowedvisitors,phonecalls,oraccesstoalawyer.InDecember2010,hewassentencedtothreeyearsinprisononchargesof‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’and‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’.On21December2011,hewastriedonanadditionalcountof‘insultingtheholysanctities,’andwassentencedtoanadditionalyearinprison.Thebasisforthenewchargewasnotdisclosed.Duringhisimprisonment,theIranianauthoritiesdeniedPourshajarimedicalleavetoreceivethe

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treatmentheneeded,includingforablockageinhisarteries,againsttheadviceofprisondoctors.Hewasalsoreportedlydeniedmedicationforhighbloodsugar.Hewasreleasedonexpiryofhissentenceon23August2014.Otherinformation:HisdaughterMitra,nowresidingabroad,wroteanopenlettertoIran’sForeignMinisterJavadZarifinMay2015,detailingthetortureherfatherhadsufferedandhowshehadbeenthreatenedwithimprisonmentandtortureforpublicisinghiscase.Awards:2014HellmanHammettaward

HosseinRONAGHI-MALEKI:Profession:BloggerDateofBirth:1985Dateofarrest:(1)13December2009(2)28February2015(3)20January2016Dateofrelease:(1)3September2014(2)17June2015(3)4May2016Sentence:15yearsinprisonDetailsofarrest:Ronaghi-Malekiwasarrestedfordiscussingpoliticsinaseriesofcriticalblogswhichwereblockedbythegovernment.Heisthefounderofananti-censorshipgroupknownas‘IranProxy’,launchedin2003.Hewasheldinpre-trialdetentioninsolitaryconfinementatEvinprisonfor10monthsafterhisarrest.Detailsofrelease:TheIranianauthoritiesreleasedRonaghi-Malekion4May2016onabailof300milliontomans(US$100,000),pendingareviewofhiscase.Hewasreunitedwithhismotherandwastakenstraighttohospital.Detailsoftrial:Ronaghi-Malekiwasallegedlyconvictedof‘membershipoftheInternetgroup‘IranProxy’andspreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’,‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’and‘insultingthePresident’andsentencedto15yearsinprison.Anappealscourtissaidtohaveupheldhissentence.Ronaghi-Malekiwasreportedlytriedseparatelyintwoothercasesin2013.Hewassentencedtotwoyearsforgivingaidtoearthquakevictimsandfivemonthsfordisobeyingtheordersofpolice.Thetwo-yearsentencewasoverturnedonappealinSeptember2013.Conditionsofdetention:Hewasreleasedforshortmedicalfurloughsonseveraloccasions.Hewasreportedlyreleasedon3September2014,returnedtoprisonon28February2015andwasreleasedagainon17June2015.AmnestyInternationalreportedinJanuary2016thatinDecember2015,Ronaghi-Malekireceivedasummonstoreportbacktoprisonfromthislatestmedicalfurloughby20January2016.Healthconcerns:Ronaghi-Malekidevelopedkidneydiseasewhilstinprison,possiblyasaresultoftorture,andsufferedfromrelatedcomplicationsfromApril2010onwards.HewashospitalisedinMarch2011andunderwentakidneytransplantinMay2011.HewassaidtohavebeentransferredagaintohospitalinJune2012,andwasgivenleaveinJuly2012.HewasreportedlyarrestedagainwhileonleaveforparticipationinhelpingearthquakevictimsnearhishometowninEast-AzerbaijanprovinceinSept2012;thengivenleaveinNovember2012formedicaltreatment.Ronaghi-Malekiwasrecalledtoprisonbeforethepresidentialelectionof2013.Hestartedahungerstrikeon9August2013inprotestatbeingdeniedmedicalleave,whichheendedon5September2013afterbecomingcriticallyill.Hewasthenreleasedtemporarilyformedicaltreatmenton3September2014.Heundertookaweek-longhungerstrikebetween1and7March2015.FollowinghisreturntoprisonfrommedicalleaveinJanuary2016,Ronaghi-Maleki’sfamilysaidthathisconditionworsenedastheprisonauthoritiesconsistentlydeniedhimmedicalcare,withtheexceptionofashorttwo-hourtriptoahospitalon5March2016fortests.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,Ronaghi-Malekiwentonahungerstrikeon16March2016whichcontinuedfor28days,andendedonlywhenhewasreleasedfromprisononbailon4May.PENAction:RAN10/15;Update#1toRAN10/15–15January2016

AlirezaROSHAN:Profession:Poet,writerandheadofthebooksectionoftheSharghnewspaper.AlsoanadministratorfortheGonabadiDervishwebsiteMajzooban-eNoorDateofarrest:17November2012Sentence:Oneyear’simprisonment,plusfourfurtheryearssuspendedDateofrelease:16October2013Detailsofarrest:Roshanwasreportedlyarrestedathishomeon4September2011aftersecurityforcesraidedtheofficeofMajzoobanNoor

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website,andwasalsooneofMajzoobanNoor’s11administratorstobedetainedinearlySeptember2011followingaviolentincidenton2SeptemberinthecityofKavar,inwhichsecurityforcesallegedlyopenedfireondervishes,injuringmany.Hewasreleasedonbailon3October2011.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Detailsofrelease:Roshanwasreleasedonexpiryofhisone-yearsentence.Detailsoftrial:Hewassentencedtofiveyearsinprison,fourofwhichweresuspendedbyBranch26ofRevolutionaryCourtonchargesof‘gatheringandcolludingwithintenttoharmnationalsecurity’.Therulingwasupheldbyanappealcourton16October2012.Placeofdetention:Evinprison,Tehran.Otherinformation:RoshanisapoetwhohaspublishedacollectionofpoemsentitledThereisnoBook.HispoetryhasbeentranslatedintoFrench.Awards:HereceivedthePrixAndréVerdetduPoèteRésistantinJune2013

AhmadZAID-ABADI:Profession:JournalistwhowroteformanynewspapersandlateraweeklycolumnforRoozOnline,aFarsi-andEnglish-languagereformistnewswebsiteDateofBirth:1967Sentence:SixyearsinprisonDateofarrest:21June2009Dateofrelease:21May2015Detailsofarrest:HewasarrestedinTehranduringthecrackdownonprotestsfollowingthedisputed2009presidentialelections.Detailsofrelease:On21May2015,hewasfreedattheendofhissentence.HewasimmediatelytransferredtoGonabadtoservethefiveyearsofhissentenceofforcedexile.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Detailsoftrial:Zaid-Abadiwasamongmorethan100oppositionfiguresandjournalistswhofacedamasstelevisedtrialinAugust2009onvagueanti-stateaccusations.InNovember,hewassentencedtosixyearsinprison,fiveyearsofexileinGonabad,inRazaviKhorasanprovince,andalifetimebanonparticipationinsocialandpoliticalactivities.HissentencewasupheldonappealinearlyJanuary2010.Conditionsindetention:Hewasheldinharshconditionsandsufferedillhealthwhileinprison.Awards:GoldenPenofFreedomAward2010andUNESCO/GuillermoCanoWorldPressFreedomPrize2011

Released

MostafaAZIZI:Profession:FilmmakerandauthorSentence:Eightyearsinprison,reducedtotwoyearsonappealDateofarrest:1February2015Dateofrelease:9April2016Detailsofarrest:Azizi,apermanentresidentofCanada,wasdetainedwhenhereturnedtoIrantotakecareofhisailingfather.AziziwasinitiallyheldinSection2AofEvinPrison,beforebeingtransferredsome33dayslatertoSection8ofthesameprison.TheCommitteetoProtectJournalistsbelievesthatAzizi'schargesmayhaverelatedtohispostsonsocialmedia,althoughitisnotclearwhichparticularpostsoractionsledtohisdetention.Detailsoftrial:Azizi'strialbeganon1June2015atBranch15oftheRevolutionaryCourtinTehran.Oneweeklater,on8June2015,Aziziwassentencedtoatotalofeightyearsinprison:fiveyearsfor‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’,twoyearsinprisonfor‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’,andoneyearinprisonfor‘actingagainstnationalsecuritybyspreadingpropagandaagainstthesystemincyberspace’.On5December2015hewasdeniedreleaseonbailandanappealhearingagainsthisconviction;hestillhadnotbeensentencedbytheendoftheyear.On19March2016,Aziziwasgivenatwo-weekfurloughfortheIranianNewYear.Furthermore,on24March2016,itwasreportedthatanIranianAppealsCourthadupheldhisconviction,butreducedhissentencetotwoyearsinprison.Detailsofrelease:AziziwaspardonedunderanamnestygrantedtoseveralprisonersbyIran’sSupremeLeaderAyatollahKhameneion29March2016.Aziziwasreleasedfromprisonon9April2016,10monthsbeforetheexpiryofhissentence.Healthconcerns:Azizisuffersfromseveralpre-existinghealthconditions,includingasthma,diabetes,rheumatism,whicharebelievedtohavebeenexacerbatedbytheprisonconditions.Background:AziziistheauthorofabookofshortstoriesentitledMy

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NameisRaymondCarver,andisawell-knownscreen-writerandtelevisionproducer,whohaslivedinCanadaforthelastfouryears.HewasformerlychairoftheIranianchapteroftheInternationalAnimatedFilmFestival.AprominentfigureintheIraniancommunitywithinCanada,Azizihasover1,000followersonsocialmedia.AzizihadleftIranafterthe2009electionprotests.PENAction:RAN09/15

RouzbehGILASIAN:ElahehSOROUSHNIA(f):Profession:WriterDateofarrest:14December2015Dateofrelease:January2016Currentplaceofdetention:GilasianwasreportedlyarrestedalongwithElahehSoroushniaon14December2015andheldatanintelligenceservicedetentioncentreinGorgan,beforebeingtransferredtoAmirAbadprison.Detailsofarrest:GilasianandSoroushniawerereportedlyarrestedattheirhomeinGorgan.Noinformationhasbeenreleasedregardingthechargeslaidagainstthem.Detailsofrelease:Accordingtonewsreportsdated2January2016,GilasianandSoroushniawerereleasedonbailfromAmirAbadprisoninGorgan.Otherinformation:Gilasian’spublishedworksincludePhilosophyonStreetandHumanofBahmanmonth,whichgivesanoverviewovertheeducationalpoliciesinIranaftertherevolution.Likemanyofhisotherbooks,thesewerenotapprovedbytheMinistryofCulture.PENisseekingtoestablishwhetherSoroushniaisalsoawriter.

ArashHONARVARSHOJAEI:Profession:Blogger,writer,clericandauthorofthebookMadar-e-Shari’at,aboutthedissidentclericAyatollahMohammadKazemShariatmadari,whoopposedtheprincipleofvelayat-efaqih,or‘theruleofthelearnedcleric’,whichisthebasisofthepoliticalsysteminIran.Sentence:Fiveyearsandthreemonthsinprison,50lashes,afine,andabanonwearingtheclothesofaclericDateofarrest:28October2010Dateofrelease:2January2016Detailsofrelease:HonarvarShojaeiwasreleasedfromEvinprisonuponcompletionofhissentenceon2January2016.Currentplaceofdetention:SpecialClericswardofEvinPrison(Section325).Detailsoftrial:On2October2011theSpecialCourtfortheClergyconvictedhimonmultiplechargesof‘actingagainstnationalsecurity’,‘espionage’and‘cooperationwithforeignEmbassies’andsentencedhimtofouryearsinprison,50lashesandabanonwearingtheclothesofacleric.HonarvarShojaeireportedinOctober2013duringaprisonfurloughthathehadalsobeenchargedwith‘insultingImamKhomeini’afterexpressinghispersonalopinionsinaninterview,andwassentencedtoafurtheryearinprison,aswellasthreemonthsinprisonforwearingtheclothesofaclericduringafurlough.AccordingtotheCommitteeofHumanRightsReporterson12June2013,HonarvarShojaeiwassentencedto15additionalmonthsinprison:oneyearfor‘insultingtheImam’and91daysforwearingtheclothesoftheclergyinviolationofthebanonhimdoingso.Conditionsindetention:HonarvarShojaeiwasreportedlyheldforseveralmonthsinsolitaryconfinementandwastortured.Healthconcerns:Hereportedlysuffersfromanumberofailmentsincludingepilepsy.Hehasbeengrantedseveralfurloughs:afterbeinggrantedmedicalleaveinNovember2011,hewasreturnedtoprisonon9January2012beforebeingabletocompletehismedicaltreatment.ShojaeiwasreleasedforfurthertreatmentinJuly2012,andreturnedtoprisoninJanuary2013.HewasbrieflyhospitalisedinFebruary2013.

SaeedRAZAVIFAGHI:Profession:ProfessorofInternationalRelationsandPhDstudentatTarbiat-ModarresUniversityinTehran.MemberofthesteeringcommitteeofIran'smainstudentunion,theOfficefortheConsolidationofUnity.FaghialsoworkedasjournalistforSobhehEmrouz,Bahar,DoranehEmrouz,Bonyan,Nowruz,YasehNo,RoozonlineandVagahyehEtefaghiyehSentence:ThreeandahalfyearsinprisonDateofarrest:5March2014Dateofrelease:6April2016Detailsofrelease:FaghireportedlybeganahungerstrikeinApril2016,

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duringwhichhesewedhislipstogetherinprotestattheIranianjudiciary’slackofaccountability.Hewasallegedlyreleasedfollowingthis,althoughthereasonsforhisrelease,aswellasitsconditions,areunknown.PENisseekingfurtherinformation.Detailsoftrial:FaghiwassentencedtothreeandahalfyearsinprisoninSeptember2015for‘insultingtheLeaderandtheAssemblyofExperts’and‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’forseveralspeecheshegaveandarticleshewrotethatwerecriticalofgovernmentpolicy.Thechargeswerebroughtafterhehadcompletedaseparateone-yearprisonsentencefor‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’inconnectionwiththe2009GreenMovement.Conditionsindetention:FaghiwasknifedbyotherprisonersinNovember2015whiletryingtomediateadispute.Hesubsequentlywentonhungerstriketoprotestthelackofactionfromtheprisonauthorities.Healthconcerns:Faghiisinpoorhealth,exacerbatedbypoorprisonconditions.Heunderwentheartby-passsurgeryinJanuary2015.

JasonREZAIAN(US-Iraniannational):Profession:CorrespondentattheWashingtonPostSentence:PrisontermofunknownlengthDateofarrest:22July2014Dateofrelease:17January2016Detailsofarrest:ArrestedafterIraniansecurityforcesraidedhishomeinTehraninJuly2014alongwithhiswife,YeganehSalehi(seeunderBriefdetentionbelow).Rezaianspentaboutfivemonthsinsolitaryconfinement.Detailsofrelease:RezaianwasreportedlyreleasedaspartofanIranianprisonerswapwiththeUS,towherehewassentback.Currentplaceofdetention:EvinPrison,TehranDetailsoftrial:RezaianwaschargedinDecember2014,mostlikelywithnationalsecurityoffences;however,thechargesagainsthimwerenotmadepublic.RezaianwastriedbyBranch15oftheIranianRevolutionaryCourt,whichdealswithnationalsecuritycrimesandhasinthepasttriedmanycasesofforeignnationalsandIranianswithconnectionsoutsidethecountryandaccusedofnationalsecurityoffences,includingespionage.AnMPhassuggestedthatRezaianisfacingespionagecharges.TheIranianauthoritiesdidnotallowthefirstdefencelawyerhiredbytheRezaianfamilytorepresenthim,andasIrandoesnotrecognizedualnationality,Rezaianhasnotbeengrantedanyconsularassistance.On1March2015asecondlawyer,LeilaAhsan,wasapprovedtorepresenthimandisbelievedtohavemethimforthefirsttimeon20April2015.Afterwardsshesaidthathewasfacingfourchargesincludingespionage,‘collaboratingwithhostilegovernments’and‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’.AhsansaidthatthecasefilepresentednoevidencetojustifytheaccusationsagainstRezaianandthatthechargeswererelatedtohisjournalisticpursuitofstoriesaboutIran.Rezaian’strialreportedlyendedon10August2015.On30August2015,hislawyerdeclaredthatverdicthadbeenissued,butthatithadnotyetbeenmadepublic.NewsreportspublishedinOctober2015alsooutlinedthattheverdictwasnotpublic,meaningthatRezaian’ssentenceandthechargesagainstremainedunclear.Hislawyerconfirmedthattheconvictionincludedaprisonsentence,thelengthofwhichwasunclear.AlthoughthechargesbroughtagainstRezaianremainedsecret,yethisfamilysuggestedthatoneofthemwasespionage.InNovember2015,ajudiciaryspokesmanconfirmedRezaianhadbeensentencedtoaprisontermbutdidnotspecifythelength.Hislawyerwasunabletoappealasshehadnotbeengiventheverdict.Healthconcerns:Rezaian’shealthreportedlydeterioratedasaresultofoverfivemonths’detentioninsolitaryconfinement.Otherinformation:Rezaian’sfamilysetupanonlinepetitionwhichincludedupdatesonhiscase.PENAction:Pressstatement30July2014;RAN06/15.

Caseclosed

FatemehEKHTESARI(f)andMehdiMOOSAVI:Profession:PoetsandactivistsSentence:11.5andnineyearsinprisonrespectivelyDateofarrest:6December2013Dateofrelease:14January2014Detailsofarrest:Poetsand

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activistsFatemehEkhtesariandMehdiMoosaviwereduetotraveltoTurkeyforaliteraryworkshop.Attheairporttheywerebothinformedthattheyhadbeenplacedundertravelbansandweresummonedforinterrogation,whichtheychosenottoattend.Withinafewhourstheyhaddisappeared.Therewasnofurthernewsofthemuntil24December2014,whenitwasconfirmedthattheywerebeingheldinSection2AofEvinprison,whichisundertheadministrationoftheIntelligenceDivisionoftheIslamicRevolutionGuardsCorps,andwheretortureandotherill-treatmentofdetaineesiscommon.Thereasonfortheirdetentionisnotknown,althoughsomereportssuggestthattheycouldhavebeenheldbecauseoftheirlyrics,whichhavebeenperformedbytheIraniansingerinexile,ShahinNajafi.Thetwohadpreviouslymadestatementscriticalofthegovernmentandinsupportofpro-democracymovements,andwereunderescalatingpressureinIranatthetimeoftheirarrest.Detailsofrelease:ReleasedonbailandhavesinceleftIranDetailsoftrial:Ekhtesari’slawyerwasnotgrantedaccesstohercasefile.ShewasalsopreventedfromattendinganappointmentwithherlawyeraftershereceivedatelephonecallfromherinterrogatorswarningherthatshewouldbekilledifshewenttoTehranfortheappointment.ThefirstsessionofEkhtesariandMoosavi’strialtookplaceatBranch28oftheTehranRevolutionaryCourton17May2014.Thepairfacedchargesofcooperationwithforeignmediaandartistsandharmingnationalsecurity.Duringthehearing,inwhichthejudgemadeEkhtesarithefocusafterthrowingMoosavioutofcourt,neitherthedefendantnortheircounselwereallowedtospeak.Thecourtheardtestimony,whichEkhtesaricontendswasfalsified,fromherinterrogationsessionswhileshewasdetainedinElvinPrison.Attheendofthehearing,thejudgereportedlyruledthatasecondhearingwouldneedtotakeplaceowingtotheseriousnessofthecase.Twoadditionalchargesof‘insultingtheSupremeLeader’and‘preparationtocarryoutterrorism’havebeenlaidagainstEkhtesariandMoosavi.AcourthearingreportedlytookplaceinDecember2014butthetrialhadnotconcludedattheendoftheyear.On12October2015,EkhtesariandMoosaviweresentencedto11.5andnineyearsinprisonrespectively,forcrimesincluding‘insultingtheholysanctities’.Theywerealsosentencedto99lasheseachfor‘illicitrelations’.Anappealagainsttheirsentencewasheardon23December2015.Otherinformation:Evenaftertheirrelease,Ekhtesarireportssufferingcontinuedharassmentatthehandsofthesecurityforces.PressurefromtheauthoritiesledtoEkhtesaribeingfiredfromherjobasamidwifeinalocalclinic.Shereportsreceivingregularharassingtelephonecallsfromherinterrogators,whilenewsagenciesalliedwiththeauthoritiespublisharticlesabouther.Ekhtesari’scomputerwasreturnedtoherwiththeharddrivewiped,effectivelydestroyingherentirecatalogueofworks.Theywerereportedlybrieflydetainedon3July2014inthecityofKhoy,innorthernIran,butwerereleasedthefollowingday.On8May2015,the28thTehranInternationalBookFairtookplaceandEkhtesari’sselectedpoemswerebannedfromthefair.PENAction:RAN01/14andupdates#1and#2and#3,Statement14October2015.Caseclosed.

SolmazIKDER(f):Profession:JournalistatnewspaperFarhikhteganandotherreformistmediaDateofsentence:9November2015Sentence:ThreeyearsinprisonDetailsofsentence:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,Ikderwasarrestedon16June2015inTehranairport.Reportedly,shewaslaterreleasedonbailof200milliontoman(around$150,000).Later,on9November2015,shereceivedathree-yearjailsentenceonchargesof‘insultingtheSupremeleader’and‘anti-governmentpublicity’.Shehasleftthecountry.Background:Ikderhadalreadybeenconvictedin2008forcoveringthedemonstrationinmemoryofpoliticalprisonersexecutedin1998.AccordingtoInternationalCampaignforHumanRightsinIran,shewasgivenasix-monthsuspendedprisonsentenceandwasexpelledfromuniversity.Ikderwasalsoconvictedin2011forattendingtheburialofHodaSaber,a

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journalistwhohaddiedaftergoingonhungerstrikeandill-treatmentbyauthoritiesinEvinprison.Caseclosed.

ShivaNAZAR-AHARI(f):Profession:ReporterfortheCommitteeofHumanRightsReportersDateofBirth:1985Sentence:FouryearsinprisonDateofarrest:8September2012Dateofrelease:Nazar-AhariwastemporarilyreleasedonbailinSeptember2013;couldbereturnedtoprisonatanytime.Detailsofarrest:Shewasarrestedon14June2009atworkfollowingthedisputedpresidentialelection.Shewaschargedwith‘moharebeh’(‘wagingwaragainstGod’),‘spreadingpropagandaagainstthesystem’and‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity’forherallegedparticipationinpoliticalgatheringsin2009.Shewasreleasedon13October2009onbailequivalenttoUS$200,000,butwasre-arrestedon19December2009onherwaytoQomtoattendthefuneralofGrandAyatollahMontazeri.Accordingtohermother,inApril2010,ShivaNazar-Ahariwaschargedwith‘causinguneaseinthepublicmindthroughwritingontheCHRR'swebsiteandothersites’and‘actingagainstnationalsecuritybyparticipatingin[anti-government]demonstrationson4November2009and7December2009.’ShivaNazar-Aharideniedattendingthedemonstrations,sayingthatshehadbeenatworkonthosedays.Releasedonbailon12September2010.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Detailsoftrial:Inalowercourthearingon4September2010,shewassentencedtosixyearsinprison,exiletoIzeh,and74lashes.InJanuary2011,itwasreportedthatBranch36oftheTehranAppealsCourtshadacquittedShivaNazar-Ahariofthechargesof‘gatheringandcolludingagainstnationalsecurity,’reducinghersentencetofouryearsinprisonandalsochangedherexilelocationfromIzehtooneoftheprisonsinKaraj.Sheremainedfreeonbailuntilshewassummonedtoserveherfour-yearsentenceon8September2012.Nazar-Azariwastemporarilyreleasedonathree-dayfurloughon12March2013andinSeptember2013andremainsfreeonbail.Awards:2011TheodorHaeckerprizePENAction:InternationalWomen’sDayaction2014.Caseclosed.

IRAQ

Sincemid-2014thearmedgroupcallingitselfIslamicState(IS)hastakencontroloflargeareasofnorthernIraq.Journalists,writersandhumanrightsactivistsareamongstthosetobetargetedbyIS,andthemedialandscapeinareasofIScontrolisnowdesolate.InformationissuppressedorinaccessibleinthecitiesthatIslamicStatehasseizedorisbesieging,andallindependentmediaoutletshavebeencloseddown.Journalistsarenowforcedtocovereventsfromadistanceandindirectlyinordertoprotectthemselves.Thereisaclimateofcensorshipandterrorinwhichjournalistscannotfunctionnormally.IslamicStatehasheldandkilledjournalists.InOctober2014itwasreportedthatthegrouphasalsoissuedalistofnamesof50journalistsandmediaworkerswhoarepersonallythreatened.Anestimated70%ofjournalistsinMosulhavefledthecity,andmostofthosewhoremainareinhidingandunabletowork.Manyjournalistsarereportedmissingorkilled,thoughreportsaredifficulttoverify.

Killed:impunity

ThaerALALI:Profession:Editor-in-chiefofthelocalindependentnewspaperRai’alNas.Dateofbirth:1959Dateofdeath:26April2015Detailsofdeath:AlaliwasreportedlymurderedbyIslamicStateinthenortherncityofMosuldaysafterbeingabductedwhilemakingphonecallsinthecity’sal-Dawasadistrict.Themilitantsreportedlyconfiscatedhisphoneand,

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uponfindingcontactsforIraqigovernmentofficials,accusedhimofbeinganinformantfortheIraqigovernmentandthemedia.SeveralhumanrightsorganisationshaverequestedthattheIraqiauthoritiesstartaninvestigationofAlali’sdeath.Asof30June2016itisnotclearifanyinvestigationhasbeencarriedout;PENisseekinganupdate.Background:AlalihadcriticisedtheIslamicStategrouponhisFacebookprofile.On9June2014,hewroteapostthatcalledonMosulresidentstouniteagainstIslamicStateforces.Themilitantgroupcompletelyoverranthecitythenextday.HewasalsothevicepresidentfortheIraqinongovernmentalorganisationIraqiFamily,whichadvocatesonbehalfofIraqichildrenandwomen

MohanadAL-AQIDI:Profession:TheSadanewsagency'sMosulcorrespondentandaformerpresenteronnowclosedAa-MowseliyaTVDetailsofkilling:Al-AqidiwaskidnappedinJuly2014onhiswaytoDohukprovince,hewasshotseveraltimes.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,sourcesclosetohisfamilysuggestthatal-AqidihadbeendetainedinBadushprison,usedbyIslamicState.HisbodywasbroughttoaforensicmedicalcentreinMosulwheresignsoftortureandgunshotinjuriesinhisheadwerereportedlydiscovered.Detailsofinvestigation:Thereisnoinformationaboutanyinvestigationbeingopened.

RaedAL-JOUBOURI:Profession:JournalistforthenewspaperAzzamanandhostofbusinessprogramonAlRasheedTV.Dateofdeath:5May2015Detailsofdeath:Al-JoubouriwasreportedlyfounddeadinhishomeintheQadissiyahdistrictofeastBaghdad.Hehadbeenshotseveraltimes.SeveralhumanrightsorganisationshaverequestedthattheIraqiauthoritiesstartaninvestigationofal-Joubouri’sdeath.Asof30June2016itisnotclearifanyinvestigationhasbeencarriedon;PENisseekinganupdate.Background:Al-JoubouriwascriticofIraqipoliticsandfearedforhislife,tothepointthathehadgiventhoseclosetohimalistofcontactstobealertedifanythinghappenedtohim,accordingtotheJournalisticFreedomsObservatory.

SamiraSalehAL-NAIMI(f):Profession:LawyerandhumanrightsadvocateDetailsofkilling:Al-NaimiwasreportedlyexecutedbyarmedmenlinkedtoIslamicState(IS)on22August2014inaplazainthecityofMosul.Al-Naimihadbeenabductedfromherhomeoneweekearlier,aftershehadwrittenaboutthedamagesinflictedtothecityofMosul'slandmarks,describingthemasbarbaric.SeveralhumanrightsorganisationshaverequestedthattheIraqiauthoritiesstartaninvestigationofal-Joubouri’sdeath.Asof30June2016,itisnotclearifthisinvestigationhasbeencarriedon;PENisseekinganupdate.Otherinformation:Al-NaimiwasoneofIraq'smostprominentactivists,particularlyindefendingdetaineesandsupportingdeprivedfamiliesinMosul.

SuahaaAhmedRADHI(f):Profession:NewspapereditorinNinevehDateofdeath:earlyJuly2015Detailsofdeath:AccordingtotheIraqiJournalistsSyndicateshewaskidnappedfromherhomeandkilledbyIslamicStateextremists.Asof30June2016itisnotclearifanyinvestigationhasbeencarriedon;PENisseekinganupdate.

ISRAEL

Detained-maincase

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*DareenTATOUR(f)(Palestinian)Profession:Poet,photographerandactivistDateofarrest:10October2015Detailsofarrest:ReportsclaimthatTatourwasarrestedfromherhomeat3ambytheauthorities,whopossessedneithersearchnorarrestwarrant.TatourspentthreemonthsindetentionindifferentIsraeliprisonsbeforebeingplacedunderhousearrestoutsideTelAviv,whereshewasforcedtowearanelectronicsurveillancedevicearoundherankle.TheimmediatereasonforTatour’sdetentionappearedtobeastatusshepostedonFacebookinrelationtoaPalestinianwomanwhohadrecentlybeenshotbyIsraelipolice.Postingapictureoftheinjuredwomen,Tatourwroteunderneath:‘Iwillbethenextmartyr’.On2November2015,shewaschargedwith‘supportforaterroristorganisation’underarticles4(b)and4(g)ofthePreventionofTerrorOrdinance(1948),andmultiplecountsof‘incitementtoviolence’underarticle144(d)2ofthePenalCode,accordingtotheindictment.ThesechargesrelatetoaYoutubevideopostedonherownvideochannelinwhichTatourrecitesapoementitled‘Resist,mypeople,resistthem’.Inthevideo,thepoemissettomusicagainstabackdropofvideofootageofPalestinianyouthsthrowingrocksatIsraelisoldiers,aswellastothreeofFacebookposts.Tatourdeniesthechargesandclaimstheauthoritieshavefundamentallymisconstruedthemeaningofherpostandthepoem. Currentplaceofdetention:HousearrestinherhomevillageofReinehDetailsoftrial:Ithasbeenreportedthat,duringthefirsthearingofTatour’strialon13April2016,thepolicemanwhotranslatedherpoemforthecourtwascalledasawitnesstoexplaintheallegedincitementcontainedinthepoem.HereportedlycitedhisstudiesofliteratureatschoolandloveoftheArabiclanguageasthenecessaryqualificationsfortranslatingthepoem.Thenexthearingsareexpectedtotakeplaceon17Julyand6September.Otherinformation:aneditorialintheIsraelinewspaperHa’aretzhasreportedlycalledforherrelease,callinghera‘politicalprisoner’.AninterviewwithDareenTatour,afterherreturntohervillage,canbereadhere.TatouristheauthorofabookofpoetrycalledTheLastInvasionwhichwaspublishedbyMutbaatil-Baladin2010.Background:AccordingtotheElectronicIntifada,Tatourisalsothedirectorofashortdocumentary.[Stoppress:Tatour’smostrecenthearing,tohavehertransferredfromhousearrestinTelAvivtoReineh,wassetfor17July,butpostponeduntil25July.Attheendofthe25Julyhearing,Tatourwasre-arrestedandtakentoJelemehdetentioncenter,becausethecourtwasnotpresentedwithareportfromthecompanywhichprovidedheranklemonitor.TatourwasreturnedtoherhomevillageofReinehon26Julytocontinueherhousearrestafterthecourtwaspresentedwiththereport.]PENAction:Mentionedin25April2016statementPENPosition:Afterreviewingthechargesheetandtheevidenceagainsther,includingthevideoandFacebookposts,PENhasconcludedthatDareenTatourhasbeentargetedforherpoetryandactivismandiscallingforherimmediateandunconditionalrelease.

Judicialconcern

PENPositiononadministrativedetention:PENconsiderstheuseofadministrativedetention–aformofdetentionwithoutchargeortrialimposedforperiodsofuptosixmonths,renewableaninfinitenumberoftimes–toviolateIsrael’sobligationtorespecttherighttoafairtrial,asguaranteedbyArticle9oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,towhichIsraelisastateparty.Itcallsforthereleaseofallwritersheldunderadministrativedetentionorders,unlesstheyaretobechargedwitharecognisablycriminaloffenceandtriedpromptlyandfairly.

*OmarNAZZAL:Profession:DirectorofClacketMediaandcommunicationsofficeinRamallah,freelancejournalistandmemberoftheGeneralSecretariatofthePalestinianJournalists’SyndicateintheWestBankDateofarrest:23April2016Detailsofarrest:ArrestedatAllenbyBridge

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whilecrossingtoJordanenroutetotheGeneralMeetingoftheEuropeanFederationofJournalistsinBosnia-HerzogovinaandtakentotheEtziondetentioncentre.Currentplaceofdetention:OferPrison,WestBankDetailsoftrial:Heldunderadministrativedetentionwithoutchargeortrial.Orderissuedon2Mayforfourmonths,expiringon22August2016.OnthegroundsthatNazzalwasanactivistforthePopularFrontfortheLiberationofPalestine(PFLP)andposedadangertoregionalsecurity.Theorderwasupheldon8May2016afterajudicialreviewwherenoevidencewasrevealedtoNazzalandhislawyer.Thedetainee’slawyer,MahmoudHasssan,emphasizedthatsincehispreviousarrestin1988Nazzalhadnotbeenarrestednorinterrogatedonsecuritygrounds;secondly,thatNazzalhasbeenworkingasajournalistforyearsandhasbeenamemberofthePalestinianJournalistssyndicateforsix;andthatheisarepresentativeofthenationalsyndicatetotheInternationalJournalists’Network(IJNET).Throughthiswork,thelawyerargued,Nazzalisrequiredtoparticipateinvariouseventsandmeetwithavarietyofindividualstogainaccesstoverifiedinformationasajournalist.ThelawyerfurtherclarifiedthatthereisabsolutelynoevidencethatNazzalhaddeviatedfromhisresponsibilitiesasajournalist,andarguedthathisarrestwasthereforepolitical,intendedtotargetNazzalforhisinvestigativejournalism.PENAction:Statement25April2016[StopPress:Nazzal’sadministrativedetentionorderswererenewedinAugustandNovember2016]

*MusaabKHAMEESQAFESHA:Profession:JournalismstudentDateofarrest:29March2016Detailsofarrest:QafeshawasallegedlyarrestedbyIsraelisoldiersathishomeinthetownofHebron.AccordingtoQudsnewswebsite,whenQafeshatoldthesoldiersthathewasajournalismstudentatHebronUniversity,theyresponded‘That’shim’.HewasheldattheElzionDetentionCenterforeightdaysuntilhewastransferredtoOferPrisoninRamallah.Currentplaceofdetention:OferPrison,WestBankDetailsoftrial:Accordingtohisfather,Qafeshaappearedbeforeamilitarycourtforahearingon6April2016,atwhichtheyorderedhimtobeheldforfourmonths’administrativedetentionforalleged‘Hamas-relatedactivities’.Qafesha’sarrestisthoughttobeinconnectionwithhisjournalism.HismostrecentarticleforQudsnewswebsitewasreportedlybasedonthetranslationofavideobroadcastonIsrael’sChannel2newsaboutanIsraelisoldierwhoincorrectlybelievedhewasabouttobestabbedbyaPalestinianman.Accordingtoreports,Qafesha’sappealwasdeniedatahearingon1June2016,andhewillremaininadministrativedetention.Background:QafeshaisajournalismstudentatHebronUniversity,andhaswrittenarticlesforQudsnewswebsiteaswellastheFilisteenPost,whichpublishesnewsreportsthroughaFacebookpage.Hehasbeendetainedtwicebefore;onceforsixmonthsin2012,andagainforeightmonthsin2014.

*MohammedAL-QIQ:Profession:CorrespondentforAlmajdTVnetworkandjournalistatArabi21newswebsiteDateofarrest:21November2015Dateofrelease:19May2016Detailsofarrest:Al-QiqwasreportedlyarrestedbytheIsraelimilitaryfromhishomeinRamallah.HewasinitiallytakentoadetentioncentreintheillegalIsraelisettlementofBeitEl,beforebeingtransferredtoadetentioncentreinJerusalem,andthentheKishon(Jalameh)detentioncentre,nearHaifainIsrael.Detailsofrelease:On26February2016,itwasreportedthatadealhadbeenstruckbetweentheIsraeliauthoritiesandal-Qiq’slawyersinwhichal-Qiqwouldbereleasedfromdetentionon21May2016withoutchargeortrial.Hisdetentionwouldnotberenewedunderthetermsofthedeal.Al-Qiqwasinfactreleasedtwodaysearlierthantheagreeddate,on19May.Detailsoftrial:On17December,al-Qiqreceivedasix-monthadministrativedetentionorder.On24December,atahearingatOferMilitaryCourt,al-Qiqsawhislawyerforthefirsttime.Hisadministrativedetentionorderwasconfirmedbyamilitaryjudgeon30December.Hisappeal,heardon13January2016,wasrejectedbytheMilitaryCourtofAppealspriortotheSupremeCourtrulingof4

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February2016.Whiletheevidenceagainsthimremainedsecret,themilitaryjudgeatOferMilitaryCourtreportedlytoldal-Qiqthathewasaccusedof‘incitement’,ofworkingwithmediaassociatedwithHamasandalsoofbeinga‘threattothesecurityofthearea’.On4February2016,al-Qiq’sdetentionwassuspendedbytheIsraeliSupremeCourtduetohealthconcerns,leavinghiminlegaluncertainty.Theauthoritiesdemandedthatal-QiqremaininHaEmekhospitalinAfula.Al-QiqrejectedthesuspensionandaskedtobetransferredtoahospitalintheoccupiedWestBank.Thecourtdidnotcomplybutofferedal-Qiqtheoptionofbeingtransferredtoal-MakassedhospitalinEastJerusalem,whichal-Qiqdidnotaccept.OnFebruary7,itwasreportedthattheIsraelimilitarycourthadofferedtoreleaseal-Qiqearlyon1May,anofferwhichhealsorejected,insteaddemandinganimmediateendtohisadministrativedetention.Al-Qiq’slawyersdemandedthatafirmreleasedatebesetfor21May.On25February2016,PalestinianandIsraeliofficialsreachedanagreementtoreleaseal-Qiqon21May.Conditionsindetention:AccordingtoAddameer,aPalestinianprisoners’rightsorganisation,andhislawyer,al-Qiqwastorturedduringhistwo-weekinterrogationbytheIsraelSecurityAgency,anddeniedaccesstohislawyer.Followinghisinterrogation,hewastransferredtoRamlehprisonclinic.Healthconcerns:Al-Qiqbeganahungerstrikeon25November2015inprotestathisill-treatmentduringinterrogation.Ashishealthdeterioratedduetohishungerstrike,hewastransferredtoHaEmekHospitalinAfula,inNorthernIsrael.On4February2016,Israel’sSupremeCourtsuspendedal-Qiq’sadministrativedetentionasaresultoftheseveredeteriorationofhishealth.However,thissuspensiondidnotamounttoarescissionofhisdetentionorder.Heremainedinhospital,reportedlyshackledbyhisarmsandlegstothebed,despitehismedicalcondition.On26February2016,Al-QiqendedhishungerstrikeaspartofadealwithIsraelinwhichhewasreleasedfromdetentionon21May2016.PENactions:RAN03/16-9February2016.

Released

AminABUWARDEH:Profession:DirectoroftheprivatelyownednewswebsiteAsdaaPressDateofarrest:15April2015Dateofrelease:26November2015Detailsofarrest:AbuWardehwasarrestedinadawnraidonhishomeintheWestBankcityofNablusbyIsraelisecurityforces,accordingtonewsreportsandhisemployer.AbuWardeh'swife,UmOmar,toldlocalpressfreedomgroupthePalestinianCenterforDevelopmentandMediaFreedom(MADA)thatIsraelisecurityforcesinterrogatedherhusbandforanhourattheirhomebeforetakinghimtoanunknownlocation.Soldierssearchedtheirhomeandconfiscatedthreelaptopsandherhusband'sphone.Detailsoftrial:AbuWardehwasplacedunderadministrativedetention,aformofdetentionwithouttrial,forsixmonths(renewable).AnIsraelimilitarycourtreducedAbuWardeh'sadministrativedetentionfromsixmonthstothreeinMay2015.Theorderwasrenewedforafurthersixmonthsonexpiryon13July2015.On2July2015theIsraelimilitaryofficialsclaimedthatintelligenceindicatedhewasaseniorHamasactivistwhoposeda‘dangertotheregionalsecurity.’ColleagueshavepointedtohisongoingdocumentationofhumanrightsviolationsbyIsraeliforcesasapossiblereasonforhisdetention.Accordingtonewsreports,on15October2015hisfamilywasnotallowedtovisithiminprison.Reportedly,hiswifewastoldthatitwasbecauseheandotherinmateswerepunished.PENPosition:PENInternationalopposesthewidespreaduseofadministrativedetentiontoimprisonjournalistsandotherwriters,andiscallingforAminAbuWardehtobereleasedifheisnottobechargedwitharecognizablycriminaloffence.

JORDAN

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Detained–investigation

AhmedAL-TALAWIProfession:PoetDateofarrest:5December2015Detailsofarrest:Localnewsreportssuggestthatal-TalawiwasarrestedinthecityofIrbidon5December2015.Thereasonsbehindhisarrestareunknown.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016;PENisseekinginformationastowhetherheisstilldetained.

OntrialHashemAL-KHALIDI,Profession:OwnerofnewswebsiteSarayaNewsSeifOBEIDAT,Profession:Editorin-chiefnewswebsiteSarayaNewsDateofarrest:28January2015Dateofrelease:8March2015Detailsofarrest:BothweredetainedinrelationtoanarticlepublishedinSarayaNews.Detailsofrelease:AfterbeingheldinMarkaprisontheywerereleasedonbailon8March2015.Detailsoftrial:Thetwojournalistswereaccusedof‘spreadingfalsenews’and‘aidingterrorism’,chargeswhichcouldcarryasentenceofupto15yearsinprison.TheywerestillawaitingtrialbeforetheStateSecurityCourtattheendof2015.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016;PENisseekingfurtherinformation.Background:Thearticlethatwaspublishedreportedlyclaimed,incorrectly,thattheJordangovernmentwasinnegotiationswithIslamicState(IS)andthattheyhadexchangedawomeninvolvedinthe2005AmmanhotelbombingsforaJapanesejournalistheldbyISratherthanforal-Kasasbeh,theJordanpilotabductedbyIS.Afewdayslater,theJordanauthoritiesexecutedthewomen,provingthatthenewswasincorrect.

Released

JamalAYOUB:Profession:FreelancecolumnistSentence:FourmonthsinprisonDateofarrest:22April2015Dateofrelease:25October2015Detailsofarrest:Ayoubwasarrestedon22April2015accusedof‘disturbingJordan’srelationwithaforeignstate’undertheterrorismlaw.ThecasewasbroughtbeforetheStateSecurityCourtinconnectionwithanarticlehepublished.Detailsoftrial:AccordingtotheJordanTimes,on25October2015,Ayoubwassentencedtofourmonthsinprisonbyamilitarytribunal.Thissentencewasreportedlyreplacedbyfinesashehadalreadyservedthetimeincustodyandhewasreleased.Theowner,HassanSufeirah,andEditor-in-chief,OsamaAlRamini(seebelow)ofAlBaladnewswebsitethatpublishedAyoub’sarticleweregiventhree-monthsjailterms,whichwerealsoreplacedbyfines.Inaddition,thenewswebsitewasfinedwith200Jordaniandollars(aroundUS$282)undertheElectronicCriminalLaw.Otherinformation:OtherJordanjournalistshavebeenchargedwiththeoffenceof‘disturbingrelationswithaforeignstate’,whichprohibitsjournalistscriticisingothergovernments.AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch,inearly2014thischargewasremovedfromthejurisdictionoftheStateSecurityCourt.However,thisreformwasreversedinApril2014whentheprovisionwasaddedtoanti-terrorlegislation,withpenaltiesfromthreeto20yearsinprison.Afterhisrelease,Ayoubpublishedaletterofthankstoallthosewhohadsupportedhim.Background:ThearticlethatAyoubpublishedwasverycriticalofSaudiArabia’sroleinthewarinYemen.

ZakiBaniIRSHAID:Profession:SeniorleaderfortheMuslimBrotherhoodSentence:18monthsinprisonDateofarrest:20November2014Dateofrelease:4January2016Detailsofthearrest:IrshaidissaidtobehavebeenarrestedinrelationtoacommenthepostedonFacebookandothersocialmediawhichwascriticaloftheUnitedArabEmirates.Hewasatameetingathis

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party’sheadquartersinAmmanatthetimeofhisarrest.Detailsofrelease:Irshaidwasreportedlyreleasedfromprisonon4January2016,aftercompletingtwo-thirdsofhis18-monthprisonterm.Placeofdetention:Markaprison,eastAmman.Irshaidrequestedhisreleaseonbailon24November2014,butitwasdenied.Detailsofthetrial:Ithasbeenreportedthatinonecomment,IrshaidaccusedtheUAEofallegedlysponsoringterrorism,aswellasquestioningthelegitimacyofitsleaders.Hewaschargedon8December2014withcommittingactsnotsanctionedbythegovernmentandharmingrelationswithafriendlycountry.Irshaid’sdefenceteamissuedapublicstatementdefendinghiscommentsasexercisinghisfreedomofexpression.On15February2015,itwasreportedthatBaniIrshaidwassentencedto18monthsinprison(reducedfromthreeyears)bytheStateSecurityCourt.HislawyerclaimedthatitisagainsttheJordanianconstitutiontobejudgedinamilitarycourtasacivilian;on15March2015heappealedthesentence.ThesentencewasupheldbytheCourtofCassationon15April2015.Accordingtonewsreports,on24December2015aspokespersonofIslamicActionFrontsuggestedthatIrshaidwouldbereleasedon4January2016onexpiryofhissentence.

KUWAIT

AccordingtotheArabicNetworkforHumanRightsInformation(ANHRI),KuwaitisattheforefrontofthecountriesthatprosecutesTwitterusers.During2013-2014,thenumberofcasesreachedalmost280cases.Italsohasoneofthehighestnumberof‘insultingtheEmir’cases,totallingsome160casesoverthelastthreeyears.AccordingtoastudyconductedbyANHRIentitled#Turn_AroundandGo_Back,mostcasesrelatetotweets,whereasothersrelatetospeechesandarticles.Anumberofbookswerealsobannedfromthe40thKuwaitInternationalBookFairheldin2015.Anewlawoncybercrimeswaspassedin2015whichwillcomeintoeffectin2016,placingfurtherrestrictionsononlinefreedomofexpression.

Imprisoned-maincase

HamadAL-NAQI:Profession:BloggerSentence:10yearsinprisonDateofarrest:27March2012Expires:26March2022Detailsofarrest:Al-Naqiwasarrestedon27March2012onchargesofinsultingtheProphetMuhammad,hiswivesandcompanions,andharmingtheinterestsofthecountrybyallegedlymockingtherulersoftwocountriesoftheGulfCooperationCouncil(GCC)and‘publishingfalsenewsabroad’throughhismobilephoneviaTwitter.Al-Naqideniedallchargesandstatedthathistwitteraccounthadbeenhacked.HismobilerecordsweresearchedanditwasconfirmedthathedidnotuseTwitterfromthemobile.However,securityforcesclaimedthathehasanothermobileinhispossessionwhichhehadusedtoaccessaTwitteraccount.CurrentPlaceofDetention:Al-NaqiisbelievedtobeheldinKuwaitCentralPrisonDetailsoftrial:On4June2012,acriminalcourtinthecapital,KuwaitCity,sentencedHamadal-Naqito10yearsinprison.Hewasconvictedfortweetscriticisingtherulersofneighbouringcountriesonthebasisofarticle15oftheNationalSecurityLaw,whichsetsaminimumthree-yearsentencefor‘intentionallybroadcastingnews,statements,orfalseormaliciousrumours…thatharmthenationalinterestsofthestate.’Thecourtalsoconvictedal-NaqiforatweetallegedlyinsultingtheProphetMohammedandhiswifeAishaunderarticle111ofthePenalCode,whichprohibitsmockingreligionandcarriesamaximumone-yearsentence.On28October2013,theKuwaitiCourtofAppealsupheldal-Naqi’sconvictionandconfirmedhissentence.On21July2014,theCourtofCassationupheldhisconvictionandsentence.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Conditionsindetention:On18April2012,al-Naqiwasstabbedinhisneckbyanotherprisonerwhohadapparentlyobjectedtowhatal-Naqihadwritten.Accordingtoal-Naqi’slawyer,theincidenttookplace

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aftertheprison’sadministrationspreadthenewsthatal-NaqihadinsultedtheProphet.PENAction:RAN31/12–26June2012

Ontrial

MohammedAL-AJMI(penname:AboAsam):Profession:Blogger,humanrightsactivistandmemberoftheNationalCommitteeforMonitoringViolationsDateofarrest:28January2015Dateofrelease:1February2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtotheGulfCentreforHumanRights(GCHR)al-Ajmiwasarrestedbyunidentifiedmen.HisfamilylaterreceivedacallfromtheStateSecurityApparatusdemandingal-Ajmi’smedication.On29January2015,al-AjmiwastransferredtothePublicProsecutionforInvestigationwithouthavingaccesstoalawyer.HewaslatersenttotheStateSecurityApparatuswherehewasdetaineduntil1February2015.Detailsoftrial:Itisbelievedthatal-Ajmi’sarrestisrelatedtotweetshepublishedwhichallegedlyinsultedthelateKingofSaudiArabia,KingAbdullah.HehasbeenchargedwithoffendingtheSaudiroyalfamilyandharmingtheimageofhumanrightsinSaudiArabia.Ifconvicted,hecouldfaceasentenceofthreeyearsofprison.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:AboAsamisawell-knownactivistwithover115,000followersinhisTwitteraccount.InApril2014,hewasbrieflyarrestedfortweetswhichreportedlymadefunoftheEmirSheikhSabahal-Sabahandtheroyalfamily.On27August2014,al-AjmiwassummonedbytheDepartmentofCriminalInvestigation,andwasarrestedagainonhisarrival.HissecondarrestwaslinkedtoacommentpostedonhisTwitteraccountregardingthegroupJamiya,fromtheIslamSalafisect.Thiscommentwasseenasoffensivebytheauthorities.On31August2014,someofhisfollowersandfellowactivistsdemonstratedoutsidetheNationalAssemblydemandingal-Ajmi’srelease.Al-Ajmiwaschargedwith‘blasphemy’,andwasreleasedonbailon4September2014,pendingtrial.

SagarAL-HASHASH:Profession:OnlineactivistSentence:2yearsinprisonDateofarrest:March2013Dateofrelease:30September2013Detailsofarrest:Al-HashashwasallegedlyarrestedforpostingcommentsonhisblogandviahisTwitteraccount,inOctober2012,whichsupposedlyinsultedSheikhJaberal-Ahmadal-Jaberal-Sabah,thecountry’semir,aswellascallingforacoupinKuwait.Detailsofthetrial:On7March2013,acriminalcourtsentencedhimtotwoyearsinprison.On30September2013,hewasacquittedbyafirstinstancecourtandreleased.Inlate2014,Kuwait’sSupremeCourtwasduetotakeafinaldecision.On5January2015,theSupremeCourtreportedlyupheldal-Hashash’stwo-yearprisonsentenceandruledthathehadtocompletehisremaining20monthsinprison.Al-Hashashisreportedlyoutsidethecountry.Al-HashashwasacquittedinMay2015ofchargesthathehad‘insultedSaudiArabia’viaTwitter.InApril2015,hewassentencedinabsentiato10yearsinprisonforatweetallegedlygivinginformationabouthowtomakeaMolotovcocktail.ThecasewasreturnedtothecriminalcourtbythecourtofappealinJuly2015.Conditionalrelease

Abdal-AzizAL-MUTAIRI:Profession:SocialmediauserDateofarrest:26January2015Dateofrelease:15March2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoANHRI,al-MutairiwasarrestedforpostingatweetaboutthedeathofSaudiKingAbdullahbinAbdulazizonaTwitterparodyaccountcalled‘Carlos’.TheKuwaitiauthoritiessawthetweetposingadangertoKuwaitconcerningseveringtieswithabrotherlycountry(SaudiArabia).Detailsofrelease:Al-Mutairiwasreleasedon15March2015onabailof3000Dinars(about9000US$).Detailsoftrial:Al-

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MutairiwasaccusedbythePublicProsecutionofharmingthenationalinterestsofthecountryandinsultingthelatekingAbdullah,andon18January2015,hewassentencedtofiveyearsinprison.Al-Mutairideniedthathewastheownerofthetwitteraccount.Conditionsofdetention:Accordinghislawyer’sstatementstothemedia,al-Mutairiwassubjectedtotortureduringhisdetentionatthestatesecurityservice’sbuilding.

Released

SalehAL-MULLAProfession:FormermemberofparliamentandsocialmediauserDateofarrest:6January2015Dateofrelease:11January2015Detailsofarrest:Al-MullawasheldinconnectionwithaseriesoftweetscriticisingtherelationshipbetweenKuwaitandEgypt.Detailsofrelease:Hewasreleasedonbailof2000Kuwaitidollars(aboutUS$6,800)Detailsoftrial:Al-Mullawaschargedwith‘insultingtheAmir’,‘insultingEgypt’spresident’and‘endangeringbilateralrelations’,basedontweetshepostedduringEgyptianPresidentel-Sisi’sofficialvisitinJanuary2015.Al-Mulla’strialwasduetobegininFebruary,butwaspostponedtill26April2015.Update:Al-MullaappearedbeforetheAppealCourtinKuwaiton9March2016,andwasacquittedof‘insultingtheAmir’.

Caseclosed

SalehAL-SAEED:Profession:BloggerSentence:SixyearsinprisonDetailsoftrial:HaniHussain,al-Saeed'slawyer,saidthatKuwaitiauthoritieschargedal-SaeedaftertheSaudiembassyinKuwaitCitycomplainedtotheForeignAffairsMinistryanddemandedhisprosecution.On30December2014,acourtoffirstinstanceconvictedal-Saeedunderarticle4ofthecountry's1970NationalSecurityLaw,whichmakesitacriminaloffencetocommitahostileactagainstaforeigncountrythatdisruptsKuwait'spoliticalrelationswiththatcountryorexposesKuwaittoariskofwar.Thecourtsentencedal-Saeedtofouryearsinprisonandreleasedhimonbailpendinganappeal.On18February2015,anappellatecourtincreasedal-Saeed'ssentencetosixyearsandorderedhisdetentionuntilahearingbeforetheCourtofCassationon21May.Al-SaeedappealedhissentencebutKuwait'sCourtofCassationupheldthesix-yearsentenceon12June2015.Hewentintohidingaftertherejectionofhisappeal.Nofurtherinformationonhiswhereaboutsasof30June2016.Background:Afriendofal-SaeedtoldHumanRightsWatchthatheposted16tweetsinOctober2014thataccusedSaudiArabiaofcarryingoutlandgrabsintheneutralzonebetweenitandKuwaittoexploitthearea'soilreserves,andcriticisedtheKuwaitiauthoritiesforfailingtospeakout.Caseclosed.

LEBANON

Harassed

*NabilAL-HALABY:Profession:LawyerandDirectoroftheLebaneseInstituteforDemocracyandHumanRights[LIFE]Dateofarrest:30May2016Dateofrelease:31May2016Detailsofarrest:Al-HalabywasreportedlyarrestedbyInternalSecurityForcesinadawnraidofhishome.HisarrestwasorderedaftertwolibelsuitswerefiledagainsthimbytheInteriorMinisterandoneofhissenioradvisersinrelationtoFacebookpostshehadmade.Detailsofrelease:Al-Halabywasdetainedovernightandreleasedthenextdayaftersigningapledgetostopany

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‘personalslander’againsttheInteriorMinisterandagreeingtowithdrawhisFacebookposts.Background:Thelibelsuitswerereportedlyfiledon12April2016inresponsetoFacebookpostsal-Halabywrote,alludingtoLebaneseofficials’allegedcomplicityinasextraffickingringoutsideofBeirutwhichwasexposedinMarch2016.Inonepost,dated4April2016,al-HalabydenouncedcorruptionwithintheInteriorMinistryandalludedtoInteriorMinister'sknowledgeofthesextraffickingring.

*ChristineTOHME(f)Profession:founderanddirectoroftheLebaneseAssociationforthePlasticArtsandauthorofmanyarticlesDateofharassment:19January2016Detailsofharassment:Tohme’sapplicationforarenewalofherpassportwassuspendedbytheDirectorateofGeneralSecurity,andherpassportconfiscatedduetoawarrantagainsther.TohmesaidinaFacebookpost,‘Ihavenodoubtthatthiswarrantisdirectlylinkedtothedomainofmywork,asadirectoroftheLebaneseAssociationforthePlasticArts,AshkalAlwan.’Herpassportwasreturnedon24January.AccordingtotheblogArtinfo,themeasurecouldhavebeenlinkedtoacrackdownonculturalactivistsfollowingananti-government‘YouStink’protestsomemonthsearlierinwhichmanyartistsparticipated.

LIBYA

Sentenced

AmaraHassanAL-KHITABI(alsoal-KHATTABI):Profession:EditorofthenewspaperAl-UmmaSentence:FiveyearsinprisonDateofarrest:19December2012Detailsofarrest:Al-Khitabiwasreportedlyarrestedinconnectionwithanarticlehepublishedon21November2012,allegingcorruptionwithinthejudiciary.HewasheldincommunicadoinHudbaprison,Tripoli,untilhisrelease.Dateofrelease:Releasedonbailon23April2013.Detailsoftrial:Histrialonchargesof‘insultingthejudiciary’beganon18February2013.On17August2014,theCourtofAppealsinTripolisentencedal-Khitabitofiveyearsinprisoninabsentia,alongwithafive-yearsuspensionofhiscivilrightsandafive-yearbanonpractisingasajournalist.HewaschargedwithArticles195,245and251ofthecriminalcode,whichcriminaliseinsultstojudicial,legislativeandexecutivebodies(Art.195);insultstopublicofficialsandmembersofthejudiciary(Art.245);andexercisingaprofessionwithouttherequiredpermission(Art.251).Thefive-yearprisonsentencewasnotifiedtoal-Khitabion17November2014.Heannouncedhewouldappeal.Believedtoremainfreeasof30June2016.Healthconcerns:Al-Khitabisuffersfromhypertension,diabetesandaprostatecondition;hishealthdeterioratedsharplyinprison.Hislawyerrequestedthatatravelbanimposedonal-Khitabibeliftedtoallowhimtotravelabroadformedicaltreatment.On21August2013,thetravelbanwasliftedbyajudgeattheTripoliAppealsCourt,whoorderedthereturnofhispassports.HewasthenabletotraveltoJordanformedicaltreatment,butlaterreturnedtoLibya.

MOROCCO

Imprisoned–maincase

MustafaEL-HASNAOUI(alsoEL-HESNAWI):Profession:JournalistfortheMoroccannewspaperAlSabeel,blogger,andamemberofAlKaramaForumforHumanRights.Sentence:ThreeyearsinprisonDateofarrest:16May

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2013Detailsofarrest:El-HasnaouiwassummonedtoappearforinterrogationbytheNationalBrigadeoftheJudicialPoliceandplacedunderarrest.Currentplaceofdetention:KenitraPrisonDetailsoftrial:El-Hasnaouiwasconvictedon11July2013andsentencedtofouryearsinprisonfor‘creatingaterroristorganisationthatthreatensnationalsecurityandstability’.Thesentencewasreducedtothreeyears’imprisonmentonappealon28October2013.PENInternationalfearsthatel-Hasnaoui’simprisonmentmayberelatedtohishumanrightsactivitiesdefendingtherightsofIslamistdetaineesandhispublicstanceonthematter.Duringthetrial,el-Hasnaouiwasrepeatedlyquestionedabout'thenatureofhisrelationship'withleadersofIslamistgroups.Amongstthespecificactivitiesonwhichthesentencingwasbasedaremeetingswithdetainees.Conditionsindetention:InJuly2015,El-Hasnaouiwasplacedinanisolationcellfor18days,wherehenearlysuffocatedduetoagasleakintheprison.ReportsfromearlyJanuary2016indicatedthatel-Hasnaouihadbeenplacedintheprison’sisolationunit.HealthConcerns:InJuly2014,hewashospitalisedtwoweeksafterbeginningahungerstrikeinprotestagainsthiscontinuedimprisonment.Background:El-HasnaouiisknownfordefendingtherightsofdetaineesfromtheIslamicmovement,aswellasforbeingavocalopponentofanti-terrorismlegislationanditsuseagainstindividualsnotinvolvedinterroristactivities.Shortlybeforehisarrest,el-Hasnaouipublishedanarticleaboutveiledfemalestudentswhohadbeenbannedfromschoolbecauseofthelengthoftheirveil.Otherinformation:TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention(WGAD),initsopinionNo53/2013,foundel-Hasnaoui’simprisonmenttobearbitrary,andcalledforhisimmediateandunconditionalreleaseandforhimtoreceivecompensation.WGADconsideredthattheaccusationsagainstel-Hasnaouimakenomentionofanyviolent,letaloneterrorist,activity;thathewasnotchargedwithanyactofterrorism;thathisactivitiesasahumanrightsdefender,anintellectualandajournalistappeartobeentirelylegitimateandthatneithertheexaminingmagistratenorthetrialcourtfoundthatanyactthatcouldbeconstruedasacriminaloffencehadbeencommitted.

Ontrial

AliANOUZLA:Profession:EditoroftheArabic-languageversionofthenewswebsiteLakome.infoDateofarrest:17September2013Detailsofarrest:ArrestedforpostinganarticlethatcontainedalinktoavideopostedbyAl-QaedaintheIslamicMaghreb(AQIM).AccesstobothArabicandFrench-languageversionsofthewebsitehavebeenblockedinMoroccosince17October.Dateofrelease:Anouzlawasreleasedonbailon25October2013Detailsoftrial:Hewaschargedwithadvocatingterrorismandaidingterrorists.Facingchargesofproviding‘materialassistance’toaterroristgroup,‘defendingterrorism’and‘incitingtheexecutionofterroristacts.’Thechargescarryapossiblesentenceof10to30yearsinprison.Atatrialhearingon30October2013,thecasewasadjournedtill23December2013,atwhichitwasfurtherpostponeduntil20May2014.On21May2014,thejudgefurtherdelayedthehearingindefinitely.Asof30June2015heremainedfreebutthecaseagainsthimremainsopen.On10August2015AliAnouzladecidedtoreopenthenewssiteunderthenameLakome2.On26November2015hewassummonedbeforethejudgeinrelationtothecaseagainsthim.Update:On21January2016,Anouzlawasreportedlychargedwith‘underminingnationalterritorialintegrity’,thoughthesechargeswerelaterdroppedon24May2016.Anouzla’soriginalchargeofdefendingterrorismremainsoutstanding.Background:On24December2015,AnouzlawasreportedlysummonedforinterrogationinrelationtocommentsmadeduringaninterviewwithGermannewspaperBildinNovember2015.Hissummonswasissuedbecausehehadallegedlyusedtheterm‘occupiedWesternSahara’duringtheinterview.Awards:On13November2015hereceivedtheRaifBadawi

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awardforjournalistswhodefendfreedomofexpression.PENActions:JointstatementSeptember2013;jointstatement17February2014;jointstatement21January2016

SamadAYACH,MohamedESSABEURHichamKHREIBCHI,HichamEL-MANSOURIMaatiMONJIB,MariaMOUKRIM(f)RachidTARIKProfession:JournalistsandwriterswhoareallmembersoftheMoroccanAssociationofInvestigativeJournalism(AMJI)Dateoftrial:19November2015Detailsoftrial:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,Hicjamel-Mansouri,MaatiMonjib,MohammadEssabeur,HishamKhreibchiandAbdessamadlachhavebeenchargedwiththreateningtheinternalsecurityoftheState.MariaMoukrimandRachidTarikhavebeenchargedwith‘receivingforeignfundingwithoutnotifyingtheGeneralSecretariatofthegovernment’.Theirlatesthearingwassetfor29June2016.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.]Otherinformation:Hichamel-Mansourialreadyservedaprisonsentenceforotherreasons(seereleasedbelow).KreibchiistheformerdirectoroftheDigitalRightsAssociationandEssabeuristheDirectoroftheMoroccanEducationandYouthAssociation.

Harassed

SamadAYACHProfession:JournalistandhumanrightsactivistDateofharassment:August2015Detailsofharassment:Ayachwasinformedthathehadbeenplacedunderatravelbanon25August2015whenhewasnotallowedtotraveltoTunisiaandwasquestionedbyauthorities.Hereportedlyfaceschargesfor‘promotingforeignagendas’and‘promotingsocialunrest’.ItisthoughtthatthechargesrelatetoAyach’sworkorganisingtrainingworkshopsforjournalists.ReportersWithoutBordershavesuggestedthatthetravelbanwasissued19November2015becauseAyachwasgoingtoaworkshoponcitizenjournalismabroad.Otherinformation:AyachisalsoamemberoftheMoroccanAssociationforInvestigativeJournalismandwritesfortheonlinenewspaperLakome2.Theeditorofthisnewswebsite,AliAnouzla,isalsoontrialbecauseofhiswork(seeCaseListabove).Ayachisontrialwithsixothers(seeaboveunderOntrial).

MaatiMONJIB:Profession:Journalist,academicandhistorianDateofharassment:10August2015Detailsofharassment:Accordingtonewsreports,Monjibwasinformedthathehadbeenplacedunderatravelbanon7October2015whenhewasnotallowedtotraveltoNorway.Hethenstartedahungerstrikethatlasteduntil29October2015,whentheauthoritiesliftedthetravelban.Monjibisallegedlyaccusedof‘financialviolations’thattookplacewhenhewasdirectoroftheIbnRushdInstitute.Monjib’strialwasscheduledfor19November2015butitwasreportedlypostponedseveraltimesuntil29June2016.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:MaatiMonjibisthepresidentofFreedomNow,anassociationthatworkstodefendfreedomofexpressionandjournalisminMorocco. Heisalsoontrialwithsixotherhumanrightsdefendersandjournalists(See‘OnTrial’above).

Released

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HichamMANSOURI:Profession:ProjectmanagerfortheMoroccanAssociationforInvestigativeJournalism(AMJI),agroupformedin2011tosupportjournalistsreportingonavarietyofissuesinthecountry,someofwhicharepoliticallysensitive.Dateofbirthc.1980Sentence:10monthsinprisonandafineof40,000dirhams(approximatelyUS$4000)Dateofarrest:17March2015Dateofrelease:17January2016Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoAlkarama,Mansouriwasarrestedbyvicesquadpoliceofficers,whoforcedopenthefrontdoorofhisresidence.HavinginformedMansourithathewasunderarrestfor‘complicityinadultery’,withoutshowinganarrestwarrant,thepolicemenstrippedhimnakedtotakepicturesbeforetakinghimtothepolicestation,wherehewasbeatenandinsulted.Detailsofrelease:Mansouriwasreleasedon17January2016afterservinghis10-monthsentence.Detailsoftrial:On30March2015,MansouriwassentencedbytheRabatCourtofFirstInstanceto10monthsinprisonandafineof40,000dirhamsfor‘complicityinadultery’.Therewerereportedlyirregularitiesinthetrial,duringwhichthewitnessessummonedtotestifywerenotheardbytheCourt,andinwhichthephysicalevidencereportedlyseizedbythepolicewasneverpresentedtotheCourt.Mansouriappealedthejudgment,buton27May2015,theAppealsChamberoftheRabatCourtofFirstInstanceupheldthecriminalconviction.Conditionsindetention:Duringhisdetention,Mansouriwasdeniedanycontactwithhislawyerandwasquestionedonsubjectsunrelatedtothemotivesofhisarrest,particularlyonhisrelationswithmediapersonalities,membersofthe20FebruaryMovement,oronhisactivitieswithintheMoroccanAssociationforInvestigativeJournalism(AMJI).Otherinformation:MansouriisfacinganothertrialalongwithsixotherMoroccancivilsocietyactivists,allmembersofAMJI.Theyhavebeenchargedwithseveraloffences,including‘threateninginternalstatesecurity’relatingtotheirworkpromotingjournalism(seeaboveunderOntrial).Background:Beforehisarrest,MansourihadbeenworkingonareportaboutallegedInternetsurveillanceofactivistsandjournalistsbytheMoroccanauthorities.

Caseclosed

TaoufikBOUACHRINEProfession:PublicationsDirectorofnewspaperAkhbaral-YoumSentence:Twomonthsuspendedprisonsentenceandfineof1.6milliondirhams(aroundUS$161,130)Detailsoftrial:HehasbeenaccusedofdefamationbyUSjournalistRichardMinterandAhmedCharai,Editorofal-Ahdathal-maghribiyaradio.Reportedly,theaccusationsemergefromanarticlewhereBouachrinesuggestedthatthebudgetdirectorandotherpoliticianshad‘deceived’theprimeminister.On23November2015,hewassentencedtotwomonthssuspendedsentenceandafineof1.6milliondirhams(aroundUS$161,130)bytheCasablancafirst-instancetribunal.Bouachrinesaidheintendedtoappealandwassurprisedathisconviction,pointingoutthatajournalistinSpainhadbeenacquittedinacaseinvolvingthesamestory.Background:In2009hereceiveda4-yearsuspendedprisonsentenceforthepublicationofacartoonthatwas‘offensiveforamemberoftheroyalfamily’and‘disrespectfulofthenationalflag’.In2010,hewassentencedtosixmonthsinprisononchargesofrealestateandsalesfraudon10June2010,inwhatwassaidtobeapoliticisedtrial.Hewasalsofined500dirhams(US$56)andorderedtopay10,000dirhams(US$1,120)indamages.ThechargesstemfromBouachrine'spurchaseofahouseinRabatthreeyearsbefore.SeepreviousCaseLists2011and2012.

OMAN

Imprisoned–maincase

322

SaeedJADDAD:Profession:BloggerandhumanrightsdefenderSentence:(1)Threeyearsinprisonandafineof1,700rials(US$4,415),and(2)oneyearinprisonandafineof1,000rials(US$2,600)Dateofarrest:25November2015Detailsofarrest:Jaddadwasarrestedon25November2015bystatesecurityforces.HewasreportedlylatertransferredtoArzatprisoninthecityofSalalahtobeginservinghisone-yearsentence.Detailsoftrial:Jaddadhasfacedchargesintwocases;(1)‘underminingtheprestigeofthestate’,‘incitingprotests’,and‘usingsocialmediatocirculateinformationliabletocausepublicdisturbances’inhisfirsttrial.Hewassentencedon8March2015,byacourtinMuscatthreeyearsinprisonandafine.(2)inhissecondtrialhewasconvictedon31March2015byacourtinSalalahinconnectionwithanOctober2014blogpostinwhichhecomparedthe2011protestsinDhofartothe2014protestsinHongKong.Hehasappealedinbothcases.AccordingtotheGulfCenterofHumanRights,thesecondconvictionandsentencewasupheldbytheCourtofAppealon18November2015.Background:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,Jaddadhadbeeninthegovernment’ssightsforyearsandhadoftenbeenarrestedandthenreleasedonbail.InOctober2014,hewaspreventedfromtravellingtoIstanbulunderatravelbanimposedinJuly2014withouthisknowledge.InDecember2014hewasarrestedandheldincommunicadofor12daysforinterrogation.Jaddadwasveryactiveduringthe2011protestsandwasbannedfrombeingpublishedintheOmanimedia.Hewasarrestedon21January2015andreleasedon7April2015onbailof500OmaniRials(US$1,300).On21June2015,hewasplacedunderhousearrest.

HassanAL-BASHAMProfession:OnlinehumanrightsactivistDateofarrest:3May2016Detailsofarrest:AccordingtotheGulfCentreforHumanRights,hewasarrestedon3May2016afterthepublicationofsomeofhiswritingsonFacebookandwastakentoLiwaProvincepolicestation.Detailsoftrial:On18September2015hewasbroughtbeforethePublicProsecutionOfficeinSohar,wherehewasaccusedof‘insultingtheSultan’and‘underminingtheprestigeofthestate’,amongothercharges.Histrialbeganon30October2015.Update:Al-Bashamwasreportedlysentencedtothreeyears’imprisonmenton8February2016bytheCourtofFirstInstanceinSoharafterconvictionof‘theuseoftheInternetinwhatmightbeprejudicialtoreligiousvalues.’Hewasalsoconvictedofallegedly‘insultingtheSultan’andfined500OmaniRials(US$1300).Heappealedtheverdictandwasreleasedonbail.On13June2016,theCourtofAppealinSoharupheldthethree-yearprisonsentencealthoughoverturnedthefine.Conditionsindetention:TheGulfCentreforHumanRightshasreportedthatal-Bashamwasdeniedaccesstoalawyerandfamilyvisitswhileinpre-trialdetention.Background:Al-Bashamhaspublishedseveralonlinearticlesdefendingtherightsofprisonersofconscienceandisinvolvedinotherhumanitarianandsocialactivities.AccordingtotheGulfCentreforHumanRights,al-Bashamwasfirstdetainedon17September2015bytheInternalSecurityServiceinOman.On23September2015hewasreleased,onlytoberearrestedtwodayslater.HewasreleasedinFebruary2016pendinghisappeal.

Briefdetention

*AbdullahHABIBProfession:Author,filmcriticanddirectorDateofarrest15April2016Dateofrelease:4May2016Detailsofarrest:TheOmaniInternalSecurityService(ISS)reportedlysummonedHabibtoappearforinvestigationbeforetheSpecialDivisionoftheOmaniPoliceGeneralCommandinMuscat.HewasallegedlyarrestedonaccountofaFacebookposthewroteinwhichheurgedtheOmanigovernmenttorevealtheburialsitesof‘Group72’and‘Group

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74’,groupsofrebelswhowereexecutedbythegovernmentduringtheDhofarrebellionofthe1960sand70s.Detailsofrelease:Habibwasreleasedwithoutchargefromdetention.Conditionsofdetention:HewasdetainedincommunicadoatOmaniPoliceGeneralCommand,Muscat,andwasnotgrantedaccesstohislawyer.Healthconcerns:AclosefriendofHabibreportedthatheisinafrailmentalandphysicalcondition,raisingconcernsforhissafetyindetention.Background:ThisisthefirsttimeHabibhasbeenarrested,despitebeingreportedasaprominentcriticoftheOmanigovernment,aswellashavingtakenpartinthe2011popularprotestsagainstpoorlivingstandardsinOman.PENAction:RAN09/16–3May2016;Update#1toRAN09/16–5May2016

*SuleimanAL-MAAMARI:Profession:WriterandradiobroadcasterDateofarrest:28April2016Dateofrelease:19May2016Detailsofarrest:Al-MaamariwasreportedlysummonedbytheOmaniInternalSecurityService(ISS)viatelephonetoappearimmediatelyforinvestigationbeforetheSpecialDivisionoftheOmaniPoliceGeneralCommand.AccordingtotheGulfCenterforHumanRights,hewasnotgivenaccesstohisfamilyorlawyerfollowinghissummons.Al-Maamariwasallegedlysummonedinrelationtohisrecentactivityonsocialmedia,especiallyonFacebook,wherehehadshownsolidaritywithhisfriendandfellowwriterAbdullahHabib(seealsounder‘briefdetention’),whowasalsodetainedattheSpecialDivisionoftheOmaniPoliceGeneralCommandbetween15April-4May2016.AccordingtotheArabicNetworkforHumanRightsInformation,al-Maamariwasreleasedwithoutchargeon19May2016.Conditionsofdetention:Itwasreportedthatal-Maamariwasheldinsolitaryconfinement.Background:Al-MaamariisanOmaninovelistknowninparticularforhis2013novelHeWhoDoesNotLoveGamalAbdelNasser.In2007,hewastherecipientoftheYoussefIdrisPrizefortheShortStoryforhiscollectionofshortstoriesentitledThingsAreCloserThanTheyLookinTheMirror.HeisalsoknownwithinOmanforhisworkinradio,whereheproducesculturalprogrammeshostingprominentArabartists.PENAction:RAN09/16–3May2016;Update#1toRAN09/16–5May2016

QATAR

Released

MohammedIbnAL-DHEEBAL-AJAMI:Profession:PoetDateofBirth:1975Sentence:15years’imprisonment,reducedfromlifeimprisonmentonappeal.Dateofarrest:16November2011Dateofrelease:15March2016Detailsofarrest:Al-Ajamiwassummonedon16November2011totheQataristatesecuritytobeinterrogatedaboutapoementitled‘TunisianJasmine’,whichhewroteinJanuary2011andinwhichhecriticisedgovernmentsacrosstheGulf,statingthat‘WeareallTunisiainthefaceoftherepressiveelite’.HepreviouslyrecitedapoemthatcriticisedQatar'sEmir,whichwaspostedonlineinAugust2010.Hewasheldincommunicadoforfourmonthsbeforebeingallowedfamilyvisits.Detailsofrelease:Al-Ajamiwaspardonedandreleasedon15March2016.Detailsoftrial:Al-Ajamiwassentencedtolifeimprisonmenton29November2012onchargesof‘incitingtheoverthrowoftherulingregime’and‘criticisingtheruler’.Accordingtohislawyer,hewassubjectedtoanunfairtrial,heldbehindcloseddoorsinthecapitalDoha.Al-Ajamiwasnotallowedincourtandthedefencewasbarredfrommakingoralarguments.Thesentencewasreducedon25February2013to15years’imprisonment,andupheldonappealon21October2013.Honorarymember:AustrianPEN,GermanPENandPENAmericanCenterPENActions:RAN72/12andUpdate#1.DelegatesfromPEN

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InternationalandPENAmericanCenterattemptedtovisithiminOctober2013,butweredeniedaccess.InternationalPoetryDaycase2014and2015.16March2016Statement

SAUDIARABIA

Imprisoned-maincase

*MohannaABDULAZIZAL-HUBAILProfession:Writer,scholarandDirectoroftheIslamicOrientStudiesBureauinIstanbulSentence:Sixyearsinprisonandasix-yeartravelbanuponreleaseDateofarrest:21April2016Detailsoftrial:InearlyMarch2016,theSpecialisedCriminalCourt(SCC)inRiyadhsentencedal-Hubailtosixyearsinprisonandasix-yeartravelbanuponrelease,andorderedtheclosingofhisTwitteraccount.Hewasconvictedonchargesof’insultingthestateanditsrulers’and‘beinginsolidaritywithimprisonedmembersoftheSaudiCivilandPoliticalRightsAssociation’forcommentshehadmadeonTwitterwhichwerecriticalofSaudiArabia.Background:Hubailwaspreviouslydetainedfortwomonthsin2002forleadingademonstrationoutsidetheUSconsulateinDhahran,callingforahaltinoilexportstotheUnitedStates.Moreover,in2004hewasimprisonedforsixmonthsafterpublishingthefoundingdocumentoftheal-AhsaNationalIslamistForum,agroupthatheandfellowactivistDrAbdullahal-Hamidformedin2004.

WaleedABUAL-KHAIRProfession:Lawyer,humanrightsactivistandfoundingmemberoftheMonitorofHumanRightsinSaudiArabia(MHRSA)whohasalsowrittenover300newspaperarticlesSentence:(1)Threemonthsinprison(2)15yearsinprison,a15-yeartravelbanandafineof200,000SaudiRiyals(approx.US$53,000)Dateofarrest:15April2014Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,Abual-KhairwasarrestedattheSpecialisedCriminalCourtinRiyadhtoserveathreemonthsentencewhileheattendedatrialhearingonothercharges.Currentplaceofdetention:Abual-KhairwasinitiallyheldinAlHairprison,wheretherewereconcernsthathemayhavebeensubjectedtoill-treatment.Hewastransferredon27May2014toBrimanprisoninJeddah.On11August2014hewasmovedagaintoal-MalazprisoninRiyadh,over960kilometersfromhisfamilyinJeddah.On4February2015,hewasmovedagainfromal-MalazprisonbacktoAl-HairprisoninRiyadh.Detailsoftrial:On4February2014,theCourtofAppealconfirmedathree-monthsentenceagainstAbual-Khair,imposedafterhehadbeenconvictedofcontemptofthejudiciary.AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,Abual-KhairwasarrestedtoservethissentenceattheSpecialisedCriminalCourtinRiyadhwhileheattendedthefifthsessionofhistrialforotherchargesmadeagainsthimin2013,whichinclude:‘breakingallegiancetoanddisobeyingtheruleranddisrespectingtheauthorities’,‘offendingthejudiciary’,‘incitinginternationalorganisationsagainsttheKingdom’and‘foundinganunlicensedorganization’(MonitorofHumanRightsinSaudiArabia),andsupervisingitandcontributingtotheestablishmentofanother(theSaudiCivilandPoliticalRightsAssociation-ACPRA);and‘preparing,storingandsendingmaterialharmfultopublicorder’.On6July2014,theSpecializedCriminalCourt,SaudiArabia’sterrorismtribunal,sentencedhimto15yearsinprison,a15-yearbanontravelabroad,andafineof200,000SaudiRiyals(approximatelyUS$53,000)onanumberofbroadandvaguely-wordedchargesthatarebelievedtostemsolelyfromhispeacefulactivism.ThisincludescommentsmadetonewsoutletsandonTwitterwhichcriticisedSaudiArabia’shumanrightsviolations.AccordingtoMHRSA,Abual-Khairrefusedtorecognisethecourt’slegitimacyortodefendhimselfagainstthecharges.Healsorefusedtosignacopyofthetrialjudgmentortoappealtheconvictionorhis

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sentence.MHRSAstatedon12August2014thatitbelieveshisprisontransfersareapunitivemeasureforAbual-Khair’srefusaltorecognisethecourt.ThePublicProsecutorappealedthesentenceattheCourtofAppealinRiyadh,whichon15January2015ruledthatheshouldservetheentire15-yearsentenceinprison,onthegroundsthathehadnotshownanycontritionforhis‘offence’.On15February2015,theSpecialisedCriminalCourtofAppealinRiyadhonceagainconfirmedthesentence.Conditionsindetention:InApril2015,Abual-Khairwasreportedlyattackedbyotherinmateswhowereencouragedbytheprisonadministration.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,afterreceivingmedicaltreatmenthereportedtheattacktotheprisonauthorities.Thefollowingday,threeguardsreportedlyraidedhisprisoncellandwentthroughallhisbelongings,leavingthemonthefloor.Theyweresupposedlylookingforforbiddenitems,althoughnothingwasfound.FollowingthisinspectionAbual-Khairdenouncedthecorruptioninprison,aswellasthescarceaccesstoadequatefoodandbasicservices.ItisreportedthatAbual-Khairhasbeensubjectedtotortureduringhisdetention,includingbeatings,beingdraggedalongthegroundwhilstchainedup,sleepdeprivationandsolitaryconfinement.Inaddition,Abual-Khairhasbeenrepeatedlydeniedaccesstobooksandnewspapers.Healthconcerns:Accordingtothefamily,Waleedissufferingfromcoloncomplicationsasaresultoftheprisondiet.Heisdeniedaccesstofoodfromoutsidetheprisonwhichwouldbebeneficialforhiscondition.On7June2016,Abual-KhairbeganahungerstrikeinprotestathistreatmentinJeddahprisonandthelackofmedicaltreatmentthathehasreceived,despitehisrepeatedrequests.Heendedhishungerstrikeon11Junewhentheprisongrantedhimmedicalchecks,aswellasadailyvisittotheprisonlibraryandallowedhimtobeginreceivingbooksagain.Otherinformation:On3December2014,Abual-Khair’swifewaspreventedfromleavingthecountrytoadvocateforhisreleaseabroadandwastoldbyofficialsattheKingAbdulazizInternationalAirportinJeddahthattheministryofinteriorhadissuedatravelban.ShewasonherwaytoattendtheEuropeanUnion(EU)NGOsForumonHumanRights.Theyhavesincedivorced.Awards:Abual-Khairistherecipientofthe2012OlofPalmePrize;Ludovic-TrarieuxHumanRightsPrize2015.PENActions:update#4toRAN02/13,update#5toRAN02/13,update#6toRAN02/13,update#7toRAN02/13,update#8toRAN02/13,PENstatements17June2015,2November2015,27November2015,13January2016,31March2016,17June2016

*AlaaBRINJI:Profession:Journalistforal-Biliad,Okazandal-SharqnewspapersSentence:Fiveyearsinprison,aneight-yeartravelbanandafineof50,000Riyals(approx.US$13,300)Dateofarrest:12May2014Detailsofarrest:Brinjiwasreportedlyarrestedbysecurityforces,somedressedincivilianclothes,atacheckpointonhiswaytoBahraintovisitfamilywithhiswife.HewasdetainedincommunicadoattheGeneralDirectorateofInvestigations(GDI)prisoninDamman.Currentplaceofdetention:GeneralDirectorateofInvestigations(GDI)prison,DammanDetailsoftrial:On24March2016,Brinjiwasreportedlyfoundguiltyof‘insultingtherulers’,‘incitingpublicopinion’,‘ridiculingIslamicreligiousfigures’and‘accusingsecurityofficersofkillingprotestorsinAwamiyya’.ThesechargeswerebroughtagainsthimbecauseofvariousTweetshepostedrelatingtotopicsincludingdefendersofhumanrights,prisonersofconscience,andSaudiArabianwomen’srighttodrivecars,accordingtoAmnestyInternational.BrinjiwastriedbySaudiArabia’scounter-terrorismcourt,calledtheSpecializedCriminalCourt.Conditionsindetention:Brinjihasbeenheldindetentionsincehisarrestin2014.Forthefirst50daysofhisdetentionhewasheldincommunicado,withoutaccesstoalawyer.Hewasonlyabletophonehiswifeafter50daysindetention.Healthconcerns:Brinjiisreportedtosufferfromaskincondition.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,hewasdeprivedofdaylightforaroundthreemonthsduringhisdetention,whichmayaggravatethisskincondition.

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RaifBADAWI:Profession:EditorofthewebsiteFreeSaudiLiberalsDateofBirth:1987Sentence:10yearsinprison,1,000lashesandafineof1millionSaudiriyals(approx.US$266,631)Dateofarrest17June2012Detailsoftrial:RaifBadawiwasarrestedon17June2012inJeddahafterorganisingaconferencetomarka‘dayofliberalism’.Theconference,whichwastohavetakenplaceinJeddahon7May,wasbannedbytheauthorities.On29July2013,acourtinJeddahsentencedBadawitosevenyearsandthreemonthsinprisonand600lashesafterhewasconvictedundertheinformationtechnologylawof‘foundingaliberalwebsite,’‘adoptingliberalthought’andforinsultingIslam.Theonlineforum,LiberalSaudiNetwork-createdtofosterpoliticalandsocialdebateinSaudiArabia-wasorderedclosedbythejudge.Accordingtoreports,theappeal,submittedbyBadawi’slawyer,WalidAbual-Khair,citedproceduralandevidentialreasonswhytheconvictionshouldbeoverturnedandBadawishouldbefreed.InDecember2013,itwasreportedthattheCourtofAppealhadreversedtherulingoftheDistrictCourtinJeddah,droppedachargeofapostasy,andorderedthatBadawi’scasebesentforreviewbyanothercourt.However,on25December2013thenewly-appointedjudgereportedlyremandedBadawitotheGeneralCourtonchargesof‘apostasy’,statingthatthelowercourtwasnotqualifiedtodealwiththecase.On7May2014,Jeddah’sCriminalCourtsentencedBadawito10yearsinprison,1,000lashesandafineof1millionSaudiriyals(approx.US$266,631)onchargesof‘insultingIslam’and‘foundingaliberalwebsite’.AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,whenBadawiappearedincourttocollectawrittenaccountoftheverdicton28May2014hediscoveredtheinsertionoftwoadditionalpenalties:a10-yeartravelbanand10-yearbanfromparticipatinginvisual,electronicandwrittenmedia,bothtobeappliedfollowinghisrelease.AccordingtotheCentreForInquiry(CFI),inapostdated17September2014,theSaudiappealscourtinMeccaconfirmedthesentenceagainstBadawi,andstatesthatthelasheswillbeadministered50atthetime,inpublic,everyweekafterFridayPrayers.On9January2015,theSaudiauthoritiesadministeredthefirst50lashesinapublicflogginginJeddeh.Thefloggingreportedlylastedaround15minutes,duringwhichBadawi’shandsandfeetwerebound.Furtherroundsoffloggingwerepostponedformedicalreasons,ashiswoundshadnothealedsufficientlyformorelashestobegivenwithoutjeopardisinghishealth.Newreportsemergedon1Marchthathemightundergoare-trialforapostasy,whichcouldleadtotheimpositionofthedeathpenalty.InthebeginningofJune2015SaudiArabia’sSupremeCourtupheldasentenceof10yearsinprisonand1,000lashesforinsultingIslam.Hehasnofurtherrecoursetoappeal.Accordingtonewsreports,theSwissSecretaryofForeignAffairssuggestedthaton28November2015BadawihadbeengrantedapardonbyKingSalmanbinAbdulazizAlSaudofSaudiaArabia.However,hewasnotreleased.HiswifewasinformedthathewastransferredtoanisolateddetentionfacilityinShabbatCentralprison.Inprotest,on8December2015Badawistartedahungerstrike.Accordingtonewsreports,Badawi’swifeinformedthathewasinbadhealthaftermorethan20daysofthehungerstrike.On27December2015,shetweetedthathewas‘losingconsciousandpassingoutlatenightandthismorning’.Healthconcerns:Badawihasgoneonhungerstrikeseveraltimeswhileinprison.Accordingtohisfamily,Badawistartedhislatesthungerstrikeon10June2016,whichheendedwhenhewashospitalizedon12June.Healsosuffersfromdiabetes,andisreportedtobeinpoorhealthinprison.Otherinformation:HislawyerWaleedAbual-Khairwassentencedto15yearsinprisonon6July2014(see‘maincase’above).Awards:ReportersWithoutBorders-TV5MondePrizeforPressFreedom2014,PENCanada2014OneHumanityAward,2015BrusselsUniversityAlliance(VUBandULB)HonoraryTitleforFreedomofExpression,DeutscheWelleFreedomofSpeechAward2015,GenevaSummitforHumanRightsandDemocracyCourageAward2015,ScottishSecularSocietyAikenheadAward2015;Franco-GermanPrizeforJournalism2015;SakharovPrizefor

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FreedomofThoughtfromtheEuropeanParliament2015HonoraryMember:PENCanada,DanishPEN,GermanPENPENAction:RAN02/13and8updates;EmptyChair81stPENCongressQuebec.InterviewwithhiswifeEnsafHaidarhere.Pressrelease17June2015DayofImprisonedWritercase2015;17June2016Action

AshrafFAYADH(Palestiniannational):Profession:PoetandartistDateofarrest:1January2014Sentence:Fouryearsinprisonand800lashes,convertedtoadeathsentencefollowingare-trialwhichwasthenreducedtoaneight-yearprisonsentenceDetailsofarrest:InitialreportssuggestedtheFayadhwasaccusedof‘blasphemy’duetotheatheistcontentofhisworkaswellasof‘havinglonghair’.Courtdocumentslatershowedthathewasfirstarrestedinthesummerof2013becauseofacomplaintthatacitizensubmittedtotheSaudiCommitteefortheProhibitionofViceandPromotionofVirtue.Allegedly,hewasaccusedof‘misguidedandmisguidingthoughts’.Hewaslaterreleasedonbailandrearrestedon1January2014onchargesof‘insultingthedivineself’and‘havinglonghair’.Currentplaceofdetention:HehasbeenheldinaprisoninthecityofAbhasincehisarrest.Detailsoftrial:DuringhistrialheldoversixhearingsbetweenFebruaryandMay2014,Fayadhstoodaccusedofnumerousblasphemy-relatedcharges,including‘insultingthedivineself’andtheprophetMohammed,spreadingatheism,refutingtheQuran,andinsultingtheKingandtheKingdom,amongstothercharges.EvidencecompiledagainstFayadhincludedatleast10pagesfromhiscollectionofpoetryInstructionsWithin,publishedbytheBeirut-basedDaral-Farabiin2008andlaterbannedfromdistributioninSaudiArabia.AlsousedasevidenceagainsthimwereTwitterposts,andconversationshehadinacoffeeshopinthecityofAbha,wherehelived.Fayadhwasalsoaccusedofhavingillicitrelationswithforeignwomenforhavingimagesonhismobiletelephone.WitnesstestimoniesreportedlyclaimedthatthecomplaintsubmittedtotheSaudiCommitteefortheProhibitionofViceandPromotionofVirtuewastheresultofapersonaldispute.Duringthelastsession,Fayadhexpressedrepentanceforanythinginthebookthatreligiousauthoritiesmayhavedeemedinsulting,stating,accordingtotrialdocuments,‘IamrepentanttoGodmosthighandIaminnocentofwhatappearedinmybookmentionedinthiscase’.Accordingtocourtdocuments,on30April2014,theGeneralCourtofAbhafoundproofofFayadhhavingcommittedapostasy(ridda)andhisrepentanceforit.Thecourtthereforeruledtoliftthepenaltyforapostasy,butsentencedhimtofouryearsinprisonand800lashes–tobeadministered50atatimeevery10days–forstoringimagesonhismobiletelephone,andorderedforittobeconfiscated.On17June2015,theGeneralCourtofAbhasentencedFayadhtodeathforthecrimeofbeinganinfidel(kufr),followingare-trial.ThecourtarguedthatFayadh’srepentanceforthecrimeofapostasywasamatteroftheheartandshouldhavenobearingindeterminingwhetherornotthecrimehadbeencommitted.On14December2015,newsreportssuggestedthathewasappealinghisconviction.Reportedly,theappealstatesthattheaccusationsofpublicblasphemyandpromotionofatheismareuncorroborated.ThisclaimisbasedonthefactthatthereligiouspoliceofficersdetainedFayadhfollowingthetestimonyofamanwhohadpersonaldisputeswiththepoetandwithoutcorraboratingevidence.Secondly,Fayadh’slawyersuggestedthathehadconvertedseveralpeopletoIslamandthatthejudgedidnotconsiderFayadh’smentalillness.On2February2016,aSaudiArabiancourtcommutedFayadh’sdeathsentencetoaneight-yearprisonterm.Conditionsindetention:AccordingtoPEN’sinformation,Fayadhhasbeenill-treatedinprisonanddeniedfamilyvisitsandphonecalls.Background:FayadhisamemberoftheShattahgroup,whichbelongstothenewgenerationofartistsinSaudiArabiaandwhichhasbeenengagedinwell-knownexhibitionsofcontemporaryart.HealsocuratedLondon’sEdgeofArabiaexhibitionandco-authoredRhizoma,abookexploringthetransformationoftheartssceneinSaudiArabia.Englishtranslationsofthepoetryusedinevidenceagainsthimareavailablehere.OtherexamplesofFayadh’spoetryareavailablehereandhere.Theworkuponwhichhischarges

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arebasedisacollectionofpoemspublishedin2008entitledInstructionsWithin.MonaKaren,aBedouinhumanrightsactivistfromKuwaitwhohasbeenadvocatingforFayadh’srelease,suggestedthathemaybeimprisonedforalsohavingpublishedavideoofAbha’sreligiouspolicelashingayoungmaninpublic.Otherinformation:On11February2014,100intellectualsfromtheGulfsignedapetitiondemandingFayadh’srelease.Inaddition,therehasbeensignificantsupportandcampaigningthroughsocialmediaonhisbehalf.MonaKarenhasalsobeenengagedinatranslationmovementforFayadh’swork,andtranslatedthepoems‘FridaKahlo’sMustache’and‘Asylum’.On3December2015,theUNOfficeoftheHighCommissionerofHumanRightsreleasedastatementurginghisrelease.Honorarymember:GermanPENPENAction:RAN13/15pressstatement27November2015,jointletterbywritersworldwide,participationinglobalpoetryreadingofFayadh’sworkon14January2016;17June2016Action

*IssaAL-HAMID:Profession:HumanrightsdefenderSentence:Nineyearsinprisonandanine-yeartravelbanuponreleaseDateofarrest:21November2013Detailsofarrest:Al-HamidwasreportedlysummonedtotheBureauofInvestigationandProsecutioninAl-Qassim,outsideofRiyadh,whereheunderwentseveninterrogationsessions,thelastofwhichwason14January2014.Hewasdeniedaccesstoalawyerthroughouttheinvestigation,andwasalsoallegedlysubjecttoill-treatment.AmnestyInternationalreportedthathischargesincluded‘defamingtheCouncilofSeniorReligiousScholars’,‘insultingthejudiciary’,‘communicatingfalseinformationtointernationalorganisationsinordertoharmtheimageofthestate’,‘violatingArticle6oftheAnti-CyberCrimeLaw’and‘participatingintheestablishmentofanunlicensedorganisation’.ThislastchargeisthoughttorefertotheSaudiCivilandPoliticalRightsAssociation(ACPRA),ofwhichal-HamidisafoundingmemberandwasservingasitsPresidentwhenhewasarrested.Thechargeswerereportedlybroughtagainstal-Hamidfollowingtheonlinepublicationofstatements,madeunderACPRA’sname,coveringissuessuchastherighttopeacefulassemblyandtheMinistryofInterior’snegativetreatmentoffamiliesofpoliticalprisoners.Detailsoftrial:Al-Hamid’strialfirstbeganatBuraidahCriminalCourt,althoughthecasewasreferredtotheSpecialisedCriminalCourt(SCC)aftertwohearings.On24April2016,andafter16courthearings,al-HamidwassentencedbytheSCCinRiyadh.Background:Hamid’ssentencingcameamidacrackdownonfreedomofexpressioninSaudiArabia,inwhichthemembersoftheACPRAhavebeenspecificallytargeted.11oftheorganisation'smembersarecurrentlyinprisonorontrialinconnectionwiththeirwork.

ZuhairKUTBI:Profession:Prominentwriter,commentatorandcriticSentence:Fouryearsinprison(withtwosuspended),afive-yeartravelban,afineanda15-yearbanonwritingandgivinginterviewsDateofarrest:15July2015Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,KutbiwasarrestedathishomeinMeccaon15July2015bymembersofthesecurityforces.ItisbelievedthathewasdetainedduetohisappearanceatFial-Samim(TothePoint)on25June2015,wherehecriticisedpoliticalandreligiousrepressionandcalledforreformssuchastotheconstitutionalmonarchyinSaudiArabia.Currentplaceofdetention:MeccaPrisonDetailsoftrial:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,on21December2015theSpecializedCriminalCourt(SCC)inRiyadhsentencedKutbitofouryearsinprison,followedbyafive-yearbanonoverseastravel,afineof100,000SaudiArabianriyals(aboutUS$26,600),anda15-yearbanonwritingandgivinginterviewstothemedia.Thecourtalsoorderedhimtoerasehissocialmediaaccounts.Itsuspendedtwoyearsofhisfour-yearsentencebecauseofhishealth,butindicateditwouldre-imposethemifhe‘offended’again.Conditionsofdetention:Kutbiwasreportedlybeatenandill-treatedduringinterrogation.Healthconcerns:Kutbirequiresmedicalattention,asheisrecovering

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fromacanceroperation.Healsohasdiabetesandhighbloodpressure.Background:Sincethe1990’s,Kutbihasbeenharassed,detained,finedandsentenceduptosixtimes.ThemajorreasonsbehindtheseattacksarehispeacefulactivismandhisrepeateddemandsforgovernmentalreformandbeingcriticalofprisonconditionsinSaudiaArabia.Hehasreportedlyalreadybeenaskedtosignapledgetonotdiscusspublicissuesinsocial,writtenandbroadcastmedia.

FadelAL-MANASEF:Profession:Humanrightsdefender,bloggerandfoundingmemberofAlAdalahCenterforHumanRights.Sentence:14yearsinprisonandafineofSAR100,000(approx.€19,300)Dateofarrest:2October2011Detailsoftrial:Fadelal-Manasefwasoriginallysentencedon17April2014bytheSpecializedCriminalCourtinRiyadhto15yearsinprison,a15-yeartravelbantocommenceonhisreleaseandafineofSAR100,000(approx.€19,300).Thechargesagainsthimrelatetoincitementandparticipationinprotests,writingarticlesagainststatesecurityandpublishingthemonline,signingananti-governmentpetitionandcontactingforeignmediaoutletswithoutauthorizationandtakingreporterstoprotestsandgivingthemharmfulinformationontheKingdom.Hehasbeenindetentionsincehisarreston2October2011.On9September2014,theSpecializedCriminalCourtinRiyadhreducedtheprisonsentenceandtravelbanbyoneyear,followingreconsiderationofthesentencebytheSpecializedCriminalCourtofAppeal.Theprisontermandtravelbanhavenowbothbeenreducedto14years,butthefineremainsthesame.Thereductioninal-Manasef’ssentencewasbasedontwomainobservationsreceivedfromtheSpecializedCriminalCourtofAppeal.Firstly,thattherewasnoevidencefortheaccusationthatthehumanrightsdefenderwasinvolvedintheestablishmentofaprohibitedhumanrightsorganisation.TheJudgeagreedwiththisobservationanddismissedtheaccusation.Secondly,itwasarguedthatthesentencewastooharsh,asthejudgedecidedtoreducethesentence.Al-Manasef’ssentenceisthereforenowbasedonfourcharges:attemptingtocompromisetheauthorityoftheKingandworkingagainstnationalsecurityandstability;producing,storinganddisseminatinginformationprejudicingpublicorderandmoresincontraventionoftheAnti-CyberCrimeLaw;communicatingwithforeignmediainanattempttoexaggeratenewsofabusebythegovernmentandtodisruptthecitizensofSaudiArabia;andsigningamemorandumcontainingfalsitiesdirectedatthegovernment.Inanappealhearingon22December2014,theSpecializedCriminalCourtofAppealinRiyadhupheldthesentence.Heremainedinprisonasof30June2016.

Sentenced

MukhlifAL-SHAMMARI:Profession:WriterandactivistSentence:(1)Fiveyearsinprison(2)twoyearsinprisonand200lashesDetailsoftrial:Al-ShammariwaschargedforarticleshewroteandavideohepostedonYouTubeinwhichtwogirlsdescribedbeingmistreated.(1)Hewassentencedon17June2013byaJeddahcourtthatspecializesinnationalsecurityandterrorismcases.HissentencewasupheldbyaRiyadhcriminalcourton4March2014.Al-Shammaristandsconvictedoftryingtodiscreditthereputationofkingdomintheeyesofdomesticandinternationalpublicopinion,insultingtheclergyandincitingdivisionswithinthepeople.Aswellasfiveyearsinprison,thesentenceincludesabanonwritingfornewspapersorwebsitesorappearinginthemedia,andaten-yearbanontravellingabroad.(2)Al-ShammariwasreportedlysentencedbyaspecialcriminalcourtinAl-Khobartotwoyearsinprisonand200lasheson3November2014.Al-ShammariwasconvictedandsentencedtwoweeksafterbeingorderedtoclosehisTwitteraccountinconnectionwithaseparatecomplaint.Hewasreportedlyconvictedoforganisinganunauthoriseddinnerwithdissidents

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followinghisreleasefromprisonin2012,associatingwithShiiteclerics,agitatingpublicopinionandremindingthepublicoftheimportanceofcoexistencebetweenSunnisandShiites.InalettertoSaudiArabia’shumanrightscommission,heconfirmedhavingsentatweetcallingforcoexistencebetweenSunnisandShiites.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,al-Shammariwasinformedon22November2015thatthissentencehadbeenupheldbythecourtofappealon2November2015.HewasbelievedtoremainfreeattheendofJune2016,butatriskofarrestandflogging.Background:Al-Shammarihasbeenthetargetofpreviousprosecutionsandwasarrestedon15June2010forarticlespostedontheSaudiyoonandRasidnewswebsitescriticizingpoliticalandreligiousleaders.

Released

WalidEldoudELMAKKIELHUSSEIN(Sudanesenational):Profession:JournalistandeditorofwebsiteAlRakobaDateofarrest:23July2015Dateofrelease:13March2016Detailsofarrest:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,Elhusseinwasarrestedathomebysixmeninplainclothesandonepoliceofficer.Thereasonsbehindhisarrestareunclearandnochargesarereportedtohavebeenbroughtagainsthim.Elhusseinhasnotbeenabletocontacthislawyer,althoughhisfamilyhasbeenabletovisithim.Hisfamilyhasreportedlysaidthatheisbeingtreatedwellindetention.Nofurtherinformationas30June2016.Detailsofrelease:Accordingtoreportsdated15,16and24

March2016,theSaudiauthoritiesreleasedElhusseinunconditionallyon13thMarch.Background:OriginallyfromSudan,ElhusseinhasbeenlivinginSaudiArabiasince2000.In2005helaunchedtheAlRakobawebsite,whichcontainsnewsandarticlesaboutSudananditsregionaldevelopment.Theauthoritieshaveallegedlybannedthiswebsiteseveraltimesbefore.AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,anofficerinformedel-HusseinthathecouldbedeportedtoSudan,wherehemaysuffertorture.Honorarymember:AustrianPEN

Dr.AbdulrahmanAL-SUBAIHI,profession:LawyerBanderAL-NOGAITHAN,profession:LawyerAbdulrahmanAL-RUMIAH,profession:LawyerSentence:Eightyearsinprisonfollowedbya10-yeartravelban(Subaihi),fiveyearsinprisonfollowedbyaseven-yeartravelban(NogaithanandRumiah)DetailsofTrial:ThethreelawyersweresentencedbytheSpecialisedCriminalCourtinRiyadhon27October2014aftertheywerefoundguiltyofviolatingArticle6ofthecyber-crimelawby‘impingingonpublicorder’intheirtweets.Theywerereportedlyconvictedonalistofoffencesincluding‘criticisingtheruler’sdecisions,’‘criticisingthejudiciaryanddescribingsomejudicialdecisionsasunjust,’‘accusingacourtinRiyadhoflosingfiles,’‘blamingtheMinistryofJusticeforlyingandviolatingthelaw,’‘interferingintheindependenceofthejudiciarybycriticisingatrialandaccusingtheMinisterofJusticeofbeingbehindit’,and‘accusingtheSupremeJudicialCouncilofprosecutinguprightjudgesandexoneratingcorruptedones.’Priortotheirconvictions,on1June2014,theywerereportedlyfinedacombinedtotalof1,250,000riyals(approx.US$333,000)andbannedfromusingsocialmedia.Theirlicencestopracticehavealsobeenrevoked,accordingtoreports.AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,thetweetsforwhichNogaithanwassentencedincluded:‘LawyersaremonitoringthecatastrophicperformanceoftheMinistryofJustice,wrappedinliesandfraudulentmediareportsuniqueinthehistoryofSaudiArabianministries.’TheywerereportedtobeplanningtoappealUpdate:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,thethreelawyers’sentenceswerequashedbytheAppealCourtoftheSpecializedCriminalCourt(SCC)on15April2015.Theirsocialmediabansandfineswerelifted,andtheirlawlicencesreinstated.

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SYRIA

ThecountrycontinuestobeembroiledinaninternalarmedconflictwhichdevelopedafterwidespreadprotestswhicheruptedinFebruary2011,callingforanendtotheregimeofPresidentBasharal-Assad,werebrutallyrepressed.ThehumanrightssituationinSyriaremainsappallingwithwidespreadviolationsincludingwarcrimesbeingcommittedbyallsides,someamountingtocrimesagainsthumanity.TensofthousandsofindividualsinSyriahavebeenarrested,oftenarbitrarily,inconditionsamountingtoenforceddisappearance.Theyincludewritersandjournalists.SomehavebeenreferredtotheAnti-TerrorismCourtinDamascus,whichbeganworkinSeptember2012.Tortureandotherill-treatmentinprisonarebelievedtohavecausedorcontributedtothedeathsofthousandsofindividualsreportedtohavediedincustodysinceMarch2011.Armedgroups,includingthegroupcallingitselfIslamicState,havetakencontrolofpartsofthecountryandarealsocarryingoutunlawfulkillings,arbitrarydetentionsaswellastortureandotherill-treatment.Theconflicttookaninternationaldimensionin2015,withRussia,theUnitedStates,Bahrain,Jordan,Qatar,SaudiArabia,andtheUnitedArabEmirateundertakingairstrikesinthecountry.

Atthebeginningoftheuprising,theSyrianauthoritiesimposedamediablackoutinanefforttohinderthereportingofimpartialnewsfromtheground.Thisblackoutpavedthewayfortheemergenceofacitizenjournalismmovement,asanalternativemedia,withindividualsreportingwhatisactuallyhappeningonadailybasis.Thisnewmediaisbeingoperatedmainlybyyoungmenandwomen.Syriancitizenjournalistshavebeenparticularlytargetedforattackbythegovernment’sforces.SinceMarch2011,hundredsofcitizenjournalistshavebeenkilledeitherbysnipersfromthesecurityforcesorundertorture.Hundredswhohavedonenothingmorethantowitness,report,film,andphotographactsofviolencehavebeenarrestedandmanyhavebeensubjectedtoenforceddisappearance.Writersandjournalistsarealsoamongstthoseatriskofpoliticalandsectarianviolencefromgovernmentforces,pro-governmentmilitiasandarmedoppositiongroups,bothinSyriaandneighbouringcountries.ManyofthoseseekingrefugeinEuropeintheongoingglobalrefugeecrisisarefromSyria.

Killed

*MohammadBashirAL-AANI:Profession:poetDateofdeath:March2016Detailsofdeath:Accordingtonewsreports,MohammadBashiral-AaniandhissonElyaswereexecutedinDeiral-ZourcitybythearmedgroupcallingitselfIslamicState(IS).Theyarereportedtohavebeenaccusedof‘apostasy’.Background:MohammadBashiral-Aani,whowasknownforhisoppositiontothegovernmentofPresidentBasharal-Assad,hadpublishedthreevolumesofpoetryandwassaidtobeknownforhislyricalstyle.Accordingtofamilymembersinterviewedbylocalmedia,Al-AjaniandElyashadreturnedtotheareatoburyhiswifewhohaddiedinDamascus.PENAction:14March2016statementKilled:impunity

KenjiGotoJOGO:(Japanesenational)Profession:AuthorandfreelancejournalistDateofbirth:22September1967Dateofdeath:30January2015Detailsofkilling:ReportedlyabductedbythegroupcallingitselftheIslamicState(IS)on24October2015.Followingfailedattemptsataransomandprisonerexchange,hewasexecutedbyISnearthecityofRaqqaon30January2015.

Al-MoutazBellahIBRAHIM:

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Profession:CorrespondentfortheindependentShaamNewsNetworkandafreelancereporterDateofdeath:4May2014Detailsofdeath:KilledinTelAbyad,aSyriantownnorthofthecityofRaqqa,accordingtoShaamandtheBeirut-basedSkeyesCenterforMediaandCulturalFreedom.IbrahimwaskidnappedbyIslamicState(thencalledIslamicStateinIraqandSham)inMarch,twomonthsbeforehisdeath,accordingtonewsreportsandlocalpressgroups.Hisfamilyreceivedhisbodyon7May2014.

AhmadMohamedAL-MOUSA:Profession:JournalistmemberofRaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilently(RBSS)Dateofkilling:December2015Detailsofkilling:HewasreportedlykilledbyagroupofmaskedmeninIdlib.TheinformationwasforwardedbytheRaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilentlytwitteraccountbutnofurtherdetailswereprovided.Reportedly,heistheorganisation’sthirdjournalisttobekilled.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,noonehasclaimedresponsibilityforhismurder,thoughitsuggestsIslamicStateisresponsible,asthegrouphasalreadykilledothermembersofRaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilently.Reportedly,Al-NusraFront,theAl-QaedaaffiliatewhichcontrolsIdlib,announcedthattheyweregoingtoinvestigatehiskilling.

RuqiaHASSAN(f):Profession:JournalistmemberofRaqqaisBeingSlaughteredSilently(RBSS)Dateofkilling:July2015Detailsofkilling:Accordingtonewsreports,aSyrianjournalistorganisationinformedthatshewasthefirstfemalecitizenjournalisttobekilledbytheIslamicState.Theexactdateofherdeathisunknown,althoughherreportingthroughsocialmediaabruptlystoppedon21July2015.Reportedly,thefounderofRBSSsuggestedthatHassan’slastwordswere:‘I’minRaqqaandIreceiveddeaththreats,andwhenIsis[arrests]meandkillsmeit’sokbecausetheywillcutmyheadandIhavedignityitsbetterthanIliveinhumiliationwithIsis[sic]’

Abduction

JumpeiYASUDA(Japanesenational):Profession:FreelancejournalistDateofabduction:July2015Detailsofabduction:AccordingtoReportersWithoutBorders,YasudawaskidnappedinanareaneartheSyrianbordercontrolledbyJabhatal-Nusra.Reportedly,YasudawenttoSyrianinordertoreportaboutthedeathofanotherJapanesejournalist,KenjiGoto,whowaskilledinearlyJanuary2015inSyria(seeCaseListabove).Update:InMay2016,aphotowasreleasedbelievedtobeofYasudaholdingaplacardstating‘Pleasehelp.Thisisthelastchance’.ReportssuggestthatYasudawasinthehandsofJabhatal-Nusra.Japaneseofficialswerereportedtobelievethephotowasgenuine

Enforceddisappearance

ZakiCORDILLO:Profession:CordilloisaplaywrightandaleadingfigureofPuppetTheatre(knowninArabicasMasrahAzil)Dateofarrest:13August2012Detailsofarrest:HewasreportedlyarrestedinDamascuson13August2012alongwithhissonMihyar,anactor.HeisbelievedtobetargetedforhiswritingsaboutthecurrenteventstakingplaceinSyria.Otherinformation:CordillohaswrittenmorethaneightplaysincludingShadeandLight,CaptainCaracozandAlma’arandhasdirectedandactedinhisworks.HehasalsowrittendramasforchildrensuchasWateryDreams,TheActiveGirlandTheKingdomofAnts.CordilloremainsdetainedincommunicadoatanunknownlocationasofDecember2014,andisconsideredtobeat

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seriousriskoftortureandotherill-treatment.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.PENActions:RAN03/13

HusseinESSOU:Profession:Well-knownwriterfromal-Hasakah,north-easternSyriaandmemberoftheKurdishminority.Dateofarrest:3September2011Detailsofdisappearance:EssouwasreportedlyarrestedfromhishomebyAirForceIntelligenceagents,andallegedlydetainedforactivelyparticipatinginanti-governmentprotestsandadvocatingreforminhiswritings.Hewasdetainedpriortothe2011uprisingforhisdissidentactivities.ReportsfromreleaseddetaineeswhohadbeenheldwithhimsuggesthemayhavebeentransferredtoanAirForceIntelligencebranchinDamascus.Theysayhishealthconditionisverypoor.Hisfamilyhasnotbeenallowedaccesstohim,andhasnotbeeninformedofhiswhereaboutsorthereasonforhisarrest.Stillbelievedtobedetainedincommunicadoasof30June2016.

KhalilMA’TOUQ:Profession:54-year-olddirectoroftheSyrianCentreforLegalStudiesandResearchDateofdisappearance:2October2012Detailsofdisappearance:Ma’Touqwasreportedlyarrestedalongwithhisfriendandassistant,48-year-oldMohammedThatha,atagovernmentsecuritycheckpointontheirwaytoworkinthecapitalDamascus.Despiterepeatedrequestsfromfamilyandlawyers,theSyrianauthoritiescontinuetodenytheyareincustody.InMay2013,peopleclosetothetwomenreceivedatip-offsuggestingthatKhalilMa’touqwasindeedindetentionandthathewasinextremelybadhealth.Accordingtonewsreports,tortureandotherill-treatmentarerifeindetentioncentresoperatedbytheSyriansecurityforces,anddetaineesareroutinelysubjectedtoappallingconditions.FormerdetaineesatBranch235,whereMa’touqwasreportedtohavebeenseen,saidthattheywereheldinpoorconditionsincrowdedcellswithinadequateaccesstofood,waterandhygienicfacilities.Healthconcern:Ma’touq’shealthisseriouslyatrisk,ashesuffersfromadvancedlungdiseaseandhasseverebreathingdifficulties.Hetakesregularmedicationandmustbeunderconstantmedicalsupervision.BecauseofhishumanrightsworkasExecutiveDirectoroftheSyrianCentreforLegalStudies,Ma’touqwasbannedfromtravellingbetween2005and2011.HewroteandpublishedarticlesandlegalstudiesinseveralnewspapersandwebsitessuchasAl-HiwarAl-Mutamiden.ThisincludedaresearchpaperinwhichheanalysedtheconnectionsbetweentheInternationalCriminalCourtconstitutionandSyria’sPenalCodes.FamilymembersandcolleaguesofMa’touqandMohammedThathahavesuggestedthattheircurrentdetentionmayberelatedtothishumanrightswork.Shortlybeforehisarrest,Ma’touqhadreturnedfromatriptoFrancetoobtainmedicaltreatment,whichmayalsohaveraisedtheauthorities’suspicionsabouthim.InFebruary2013,inresponsetoarequestforinformationfromagroupoflawyers,apublicprosecutorinDamascusdeniedthatMa’touqwasbeingdetained.However,detaineesreleasedatthattimefromtheStateSecuritybranch285inKafrSoussainDamascusreportedseeinghimheldthereduringthatmonth.InApril,Ma’touq’slawyerreportedthataStateSecurityofficerhadinformedhimofhisclient’stransfertoanAirForceIntelligencebranchinlateMarch.Ma’touqisstillbelievedtobedetainedincommunicadoasof30June2016.UNSecurityCouncilResolution2139ofFebruary2014demandedthereleaseofallthosearbitrarilydetained,acallreiteratedbyaUNSecurityCouncilPresidentialStatementissuedon17August2015.On2October2015,inthethirdanniversaryofhisdisappearance,HumanRightsWatchandAmnestyInternationalpublishedarticlessuggestingthathewasstillheldincommunicadoanddemandinghisimmediaterelease.Background:Ma’touq,aprominenthumanrightslawyerhasprovidedlegalassistancetomanyvictimsofhumanrightsabusesinSyriaformanyyears.Hehasdefendedhundredsofpoliticalprisoners,journalists,andprisonersofconscience,includingthosetriedbytheSupremeStateSecurityCourtwhichfellfarshortofinternationalstandardsoffairtrialandwasabolishedin2011.In

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2012,hewasinvolvedinthetrialofhumanrightsdefenderMazenDarwishandhiscolleagues(seebelow)aftertheywerearrestedduringaraidontheSyrianCentreforMediaandFreedomofExpression(SCM)inFebruaryofthatyear.ThelastreportedsightingofKhalilwasSeptember2013,andthatthereweresignshehadbeentortured.Awards:In2015,hefinishedinsecondplaceontheshortlistfortheLawyersforLawyersAwardforlawyers‘whoworktopromotetheruleoflawandhumanrightsinanexceptionalwayandarethreatenedbecauseoftheirwork.’PENactions:jointstatement4June2013,6May2014,6October2015

MuheebAL-NAWATHY:Profession:Palestinianjournalist,usedtoworkasacorrespondenttoAl-Arabiya.net,aDubai-basednewswebsiteDateofarrest:5January2011Detailsofarrest:Al-NawathywasarrestedinSyrianinedaysafterarrivinginDamascustodoresearchforabookhewaswritingaboutHamas(thePalestinianIslamistgroup).On9January2011,al-NawathywasduetoreturntoNorway,wherehehasresidedasapoliticalrefugeesince2007.HeisaformerGazaresidentandissaidtobeasupporterofFatah(arivalPalestiniangroup).Update:AcordingtoPalestiniannewsreportsfromJanuary2016,al-NawathyisstillbeingheldinaSyrianprison,thoughhisexactwhereaboutsstillunknown.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.

Abdal-AkramAL-SAKKA:Profession:IslamicscholarDateofarrest:15July2011Detailsofarrest:On15July2011,AirForceIntelligencearrestedAbdal-Akramal-Sakkafromhishomewithoutawarrant.Hisfamilyhasreceivednoinformationabouthisfateorwhereabouts,andofficialsourceshaveneverconfirmedhisdetention.Theonlyindicationregardinghispossibleplaceofdetentionwasreceivedthroughareleaseddetainee,whosaidhehadseenAbdal-Akramal-SakkaatamilitarycourtinSeptember2012.ThiscouldindicatethathemaybeheldatSaydnayaPrison,wheredetaineesinmilitarycourtcasesareoftenheld.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Abdal-Akramal-Sakka,animamfromDaraya,atownontheoutskirtsofDamascus,haspublishedseveralbooksandessaysonavarietyoftopics,includingfeminism.HehasahistoryofparticipatinginawarenessraisingcampaignsandcommunityworkframedbyagroupcalledShababDaraya(YouthofDaraya).Asaresult,securityforcesarrestedhimseveraltimesevenbeforeanti-governmentprotestsbeganinMarch2011.

AliAL-SHIHABI:Profession:SyrianPalestinianpoliticalanalystandbloggerDateofarrest:17December2012Detailsofarrest:Reportedlyarrestedon17December2012bythePalestineBranchoftheSyrianMilitaryIntelligenceatacheckpointbetweenAl-ZahradistrictandAl-YarmoukRefugeeCamp.Heissaidtobeamongdozensofwriters,poetsandplaywrightstohavebeenarrestedsincethestartoftheconflictforpeacefullyexpressingtheirviewsaboutthecurrenteventstakingplaceinSyria.Remainsdetainedinanunknownlocationasof30June2016;thereareunconfirmedreportsthathemayhavebeenkilledundertorture.On17December2015,severalhumanrightsorganisationslaunchedacampaignforhisreleaseorclarificationofhissituation,asitwasthethirdanniversaryofhisdisappearance.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:Al-ShihabiisaleadingwriterandhaspublishedseveralbooksincludingTheWorldNewStructureandSyria,Whereto?.Hepreviouslyspentnineyearsinprisonforhispeacefuloppositionactivities.On15March2013,AlKaramasubmittedhiscasetotheUNWorkingGrouponEnforcedandInvoluntaryDisappearances(WGEID)andotherUNSpecialProceduresandaskedfortheirurgentintervention.InDecember2013,theSyrianauthoritiesrespondedtotheinquirybyWGEID,stating‘hewasarrestedonthebaseofsuspicionsabouthisactivities,andhestillunderinvestigationbythe

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competentjudicialauthorities.’Nofurtherinformationabouthisfateorwhereaboutshasbeenrevealedsincethen.

Reportedmissing

RazanZAITOUNEH(f):Profession:HumanrightsdefenderandwriterDateanddetailsofabduction:RazanZaitouneh,alongwithherhusband,Wa’elHamada,andtwocolleagues,NazemHamadiandSamiraKhalil,wereabductedbyunknownindividualson9December2013fromajointofficefortheViolationsDocumentationCenter(VDC)andtheLocalDevelopmentandSmallProjectsSupport(LDSPS)intheDamascussuburbofDouma,partofEasternGhouta,anareaunderthecontrolofanumberofarmedoppositiongroupsthatisbeingbesiegedbygovernmentforces.Zaitounehwasforcedintohidingin2011afterreceivingthreatsfromtheSyrianauthorities.Inthelastfewmonthsbeforeherabduction,shereceivedthreatsfromatleastonearmedoppositiongroupintheEasternGhoutaarea.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Awards:Zeitounehhasreceivedthe2013InternationalWomenofCourageAward.ShealsohasreceivedtheAnnaPolitkovskayaPrizeand,in2011,theEuropeanParliament’sSakhorovPrizeforFreedomofThoughtPENaction:InDecember2013PENInternationalsignedajointstatementcallingforherrelease;29April2016jointstatement

Detained-maincase

TalAL-MALLOUHI(f):Profession:Student,poetandbloggerDateofBirth:1991Dateofarrest:27December2009Detailsofarrest:Al-Mallouhiwasdetainedon27December2009afterbeingsummonedforquestioning.Currentplaceofdetention:Branch258oftheStateSecurityDepartment,Damascus.Detailsoftrial:On5October2010itwasreportedthatal-Mallouhihadbeenchargedwithspyingforaforeigncountry.SheappearedbeforetheStateSecurityCourton10November2010,andwassentencedtofiveyearsinprisonbytheStateSecurityCourtinDamascuson14February2011,afterconvictionof‘revealinginformationtoaforeigncountry’.Thecourtsessionwasclosed,andal-Mallouhi’sfamilywerebannedfromattending;therewasnopossibilityofappeal.Thejudgereportedlydidnotprovideanyevidenceagainsther.On19October2013,hernamewasincludedinaprisonerexchangeagreementbetweenthegovernmentandarmedgroups,anditwasreportedthatshehadbeenreleased.However,shewastakenfromDoumaprisontotheStateSecurityDepartmentinDamascus,wheresheisstillbelievedtobeheldincommunicado.Despitetheexpiryofhersentence,shehasnotbeenreleased.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Otherinformation:Forthefirstninemonthsofherarrest,Al-Mallouhi’sfamilysoughtherreleasethroughdiplomaticnegotiationsandthereforedidnotwantanypublicityonthecase.However,on2September2010,hermotherpublishedanopenlettertotheSyrianpresident,seekinginformationaboutherdaughter’swelfareandcallingforherrelease.Al-Mallouhihasnoknownpoliticalaffiliations,andsourcesclosetothefamilyarebaffledbythecharges.InitsopinionNo38/2011,theUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionfoundthatal-Mallouhiwasarbitrarilyheldandcalledforherimmediatereleaseandadequatereparation.Honorarymember:PENCanadaandDanishPEN

AdnanZARRA'AI:Profession:Playwrightandscript-writerDateofarrest:26February2012Detailsofarrest:Zarra’aiwasreportedlyarrestedon26February2012anddetainedincommunicadointheStateSecuritydetentioncentreinDamascus.Hereportedlysufferedabrokenribasaresult

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oftortureduringhisdetention.Heremaineddetainedincommunicadowithoutchargeortrialasof31December2014,whenreportssuggestedhemayhavebeenmovedtoSaydnayaprison.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:On19April2013,itwasreportedthatZarra’ai’swifewasarrestedbysecurityforcesfrominDamascusandlaterreleasedon14May2013.

Detained-investigation

JihadJAMAL(AKAMilan):Profession:AfreelancejournalistandbloggerDateofarrest:7March2012Detailsofarrest:JamalwasreportedlyarrestedwhilsthavingdinneratarestaurantintheBabSharqidistrictofDamascuswithSeanMcAllister,areporterforChannel4,aUKTVstation,whowasreleasedsixdayslaterafterbeingtorturedandotherwiseill-treatedindetention.UnconfirmedreportssuggestthatJamalmayhavebeentransferredtotheMinistryIntelligence’sBranch248forinterrogationbeforebeingbroughtbeforeamilitarycourtinmid-May2012,despitebeingacivilianandwithoutaccesstolegalcounsel.ThisishisfourtharrestsincetheSyrianprotestsstartedinMarch2011.Hewaspreviouslydetainedwithoutchargefrom14October-30December2011,andon4August2011whenhespent60daysindetention.HewasalsoarrestedinMarch2011andheldforonemonthinasolitaryconfinementattheMilitaryIntelligencesecuritycentreinDamascus.JamalhasactivelyengagedinonlinedissentandhelpedforeignjournaliststogatherinformationabouttheconflictinSyria,whichisbelievedtohaveledtohisnumerousarrestsafterMarch2011.HewastransferredtoSaydnayaprisonon21December2012toawaittrialbeforeaFieldCourt-amilitarycourtwhichcanimposethedeathpenalty.Sentencesimposedbythecourtarefinalandnotsubjecttoappealorreview.Stillbelieveddetainedasof30June2016,PENInternationalisseekingfurtherinformation.

Caseclosed

Dia’aAL-ABDULLAH:Profession:PoetandbloggerDateofarrest:13February2012Detailsofarrest:Al-AbdullahwasarrestedfromhishomeinAsswaidabytheAirForcesIntelligenceafterwritinganopenletterentitledAsASyrianCitizenIAnnounce,inwhichhedemandedthattheSyrianPresidentstepdowninordertopreventfurtherbloodshed.Hewasreleasedon19April2012butfacescharges.Dia’aiswaitingtoappearbeforeaMilitaryCourtafterbeingchargedwith‘insultingthePresident’.Thedateofthetrialhasnotbeensetyet.AccordingtoDia’a,hewassubjectedtotortureindetentionandallhisfrontteethwerebroken.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:Al-Abdullahwaspreviouslydetainedforhiswritingon29June2011,andheldincommunicadountilhisreleaseon13January2012.Dia’areportedlywentintohidingin2014ashewassoughtforarrestbytheauthorities.Caseclosed:Caseclosedduetolackofinformation.

UNITEDARABEMIRATES

Imprisoned–maincase

OsamaAL-NAJJAR:Profession:OnlinehumanrightsactivistDateofarrest:17March2014Sentence:Threeyearsinprisonanda500,000dirhamsfine(approx.US$136,000)Detailsofarrest:Najjar

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wasreportedlyarrestedathishomeby10statesecurityofficers.Noreasonwasgivenforhisarrest.Detailsoftrial:NajjarwasreportedlyconvictedonchargesstemmingfromhisdefenceofhisfatheronTwitter.Hefirstallowedaccesstohislawyeratthefirsthearingofhiscaseon23September2014.Hewasreportedlyconvictedon25November2014onchargesofinsultingthestate,incitinghatredandviolence,spreadingfalseinformationandbeingamemberofAl-Islah(apartyaffiliatedwiththeMuslimBrotherhood).Hedoesnothavetherighttoappeal.Nofurtherinformationasof30June2016.Background:Najjar’sfather,HussainAlial-Najjaral-Hammadi,wasoneofthoseconvictedinthe‘UAE94’trial,amasstrialof94governmentcriticsandadvocatesofreformchargedwithendangeringnationalsecurityin2013.

MohammedAL-ROKEN:Profession:Lawyerwhohaswrittenanumberofbooksandjournalarticlesonhumanrights,freedomofexpression,andcounterterrorlawsDateofbirth:26September1962Sentence:TenyearsinprisonfollowedbythreeyearsofprobationDateofarrest:17July2012Currentplaceofdetention:Al-RazinprisonDetailsoftrial:Triedaspartofthe‘UAE94’trial.Ninety-fourdefendants,includingeighttriedinabsentiawerechargedwith(a)Creatingasecretorganisationalstructure‘whoseinitialaimwastoturnpublicopinionagainsttheGovernmentandtheleadershipoftheState’;(b)Communicatingwith‘individualsandinternationalandforeignentitiesandestablishmentsbasedoutsidetheStateinordertodistorttheimageoftheState’;(c)CommunicatingwiththeinternationalMuslimBrotherhoodorganisationandothersimilarorganisationsbasedoutsidetheState,andseekingfromsuchorganisations‘help,expertiseandfinancialsupporttoserve[thegroup’s]undeclaredgoalofseizingpower’;(d)Investing‘thefundsraisedfrom...subscriptions,almsmoney,Zakatandcontributionsintheestablishmentofcommercialandrealestatecompanies,thesellingandbuyingofresidentialandindustrialpropertyandagriculturallandandsharesregisteredin[the]names[ofgroupmembers],withtheaimofhidingthesamefromtheauthoritiesoftheState’.ThetrialbeforetheStateSecurityChamberoftheFederalSupremeCourtbeganon4March2013.Al-Rokenwasconvictedon2July2013andsentencedtotenyearsinprison.Thetrialfailedtomeetinternationalfairtrialstandards,includingtheacceptanceofevidenceallegedtohavebeenextractedasaresultoftorture,andwaswidelycondemnedbyhumanrightsorganisations.Thereisnorightofappeal.Nofurthernewsasof30June2016.Background:MohamedAbdullahal-Rokenisawell-knownhumanrightslawyer.Hewasthelawyerforsomemembersofthe‘UAE5’,fiveindividualssentencedtotwotothreeyears’imprisonmentin2012forhavingexpressedcriticismofgovernmentpolicies.Healsorepresentedthe‘UAE7’,agroupofsevenindividualswhoseUnitedArabEmiratescitizenshiptheauthoritiesattemptedtorevokein2011,owingtotheirmembershipintheReformandSocialGuidanceAssociation(Al-Islah).Otherinformation:TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionfoundal-Roken’sdetentionandthatof60otheroftheUAE94tobearbitraryof61oftheUAE94,initsopinion60/2013.

KhalifaHilalKhalifaAL-NUAIMI:Profession:StudentandbloggerSentence:Tenyearsinprisonfollowedbythreeyearsofprobationdateofarrest:July2012Currentplaceofdetention:Al-RazinPrisonDetailsoftrial:Convictedaspartofthe‘UAE94’trialon2July2013(seeMohamedal-Rokenabovefordetails).Conditionsofdetention:AccordingtotheGulfCentreforHumanRights,al-Nuaimiwassubjectedtotortureorotherill-treatmentwhenfirstdetained.AccordingtoTheInternationalCentreforJusticeandHumanRights(ICJHR),hewasplacedinsolitaryconfinementon23August2015.Itisbelievedthatthepunishmentisduetohisappearancebeforethegeneralattorneyandhisdemandsrelatedtohisrightsasprisonerofconscience.Nofurtherinformationas30June2016.Background:Beforehisarrest,al-Nuaimikeptanactiveblog,onwhichheexpressedcriticismofthehumanrightssituationintheUAEandthe

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heavy-handedapproachoftheStateSecurityapparatus.AfewdaysbeforehisarrestinJuly2012,al-NuaimihadwrittenaboutthewaveofmassarrestsbytheUAE’sStateSecurityapparatus:‘Youdonothavetherighttotakeasonfromhisfather...afatherfromhisson...ateacherfromhisstudents...apreacherfromhisaudience...andimprisonthemunlawfully.’Otherinformation:TheUNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetentionfoundal-Nuaimi’sdetentionandthatof60otherofthe‘UAE94’tobearbitraryof61oftheUAE94,initsopinion60/2013.

Detained-maincase

*NasserBINGHAITH:Profession:AcademicandhumanrightsdefenderDateofarrest:18August2015Detailsofarrest:UAEsecurityforcesreportedlysearchedbothBinGhaith’shomeandofficeon18August2015beforearrestinghimthateveningandtakinghimtoanundisclosedlocation.HewasallegedlyarrestedbecauseoftweetshehadpostedwhichwerecriticaloftheUAEandEgypt.Detailsofarrest:BinGhaithwasheldinsecretdetentioninconditionsamountingtoanenforceddisappearanceforaroundeightmonthsafterhisarrestinAugust2015untilhisfirsttrialhearingon8April2016.Currentplaceofdetention:al-SadrPrisoninAbuDhabiDetailsoftrial:AccordingtoAmnestyInternational,BinGhaithappearedbeforetheStateSecurityChamberoftheFederalSupremeCourtinAbuDhabion4April2016.Heischargedwith:‘committingahostileactagainstaforeignstate’forhisTweetscriticisingtheEgyptianGovernment,‘postingfalseinformationinordertoharmthereputationandstatureoftheStateandoneofitsinstitutions’,inrelationtoTweetsstatingthathehadnotbeengivenafairtrialinthe‘UAE5’case,‘postingfalseinformation’regardingUAEleadersandtheirpolicies,and‘offensivelycriticizingtheconstructionofaHindutempleinAbuDhabiandincitingUAEcitizensagainsttheirleadersandgovernment’.ThischargebroughtagainstBinGhaithfollowingaTweetwhichhetoldthecourthadbeenmisinterpretedandhadbeenintendedtopromotetolerance.Hisfinalchargesareof‘communicatingandcooperatingwithmembersofthebannedal-Islahorganization’becauseofmeetingshehadwithindividualswhoweretriedinthe‘UAE94’case,and‘communicatingandcooperatingwiththebannedEmiratesUmmahParty’.ThejudgeallegedlyturnedoffDr.BinGhaith’smicrophoneinresponsetohisclaimsoftorture.Thehearingisreportedtohavetakenplacebehindcloseddoors,inbreachofinternationallaw.BinGhaithwasonlyallowedtoseehislawyerforthefirsttimewhileincourt.Accordingtoreports,on6May2016,BinGhaithreappearedbeforetheStateSecurityChamberoftheFederalCourtandrepeatedhisclaimsofenforceddisappearanceandtorturereceivedwhileindetention.Hisallegationswerenotacknowledged,andhiscasewasadjourneduntil23May.Afurtherhearingtookplaceon20June2016;thenextsessionisscheduledfor26September2016.Conditionsindetention:BinGhaithreportedlytoldthecourthowhehadbeenphysicallytortured,beatenanddeprivedofsleepforuptoaweekwhilebeingheldindetention.Background:BinGhaithwasoneoffiveEmiratimen(knownasthe‘UAE5’)whowerearrestedanddetainedinApril2011,accusedof‘publiclyinsulting’UnitedArabEmiratesofficialsincommentspostedonanonlinediscussionforum.Allfivemenwereconvictedon27November2011,withBinGhaithreceivingatwo-yearprisonsentence,beforebeingreleasedunderapresidentialpardononedaylaterfollowinginternationaloutcry.

*TayseerAL-NAJJAR(Jordaniannational):Profession:JournalistandpoetDateofarrest:13December2015Detailsofarrest:Al-Najjarreportedlyreceivedaphonecallon13December,summoninghimtotheSecurityDepartmentinAbuDhabiat7pm.Hewasarrestedshortlyafterarrival.Currentplaceofdetention:al-WathbaprisoninAbuDhabiDetailsoftrial:Noformalchargeshadbeen

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broughtagainsthimasof30June2016.Conditionsofdetention:Al-NajjarallegedlytoldhisfamilythathewasinitiallyheldinsolitaryconfinementattheStateSecurityDepartment,wherehewassubjectedto‘heavypressure’.On28February2016,hetoldhisfamilythathehadbeentransferredtoal-Wathbaprison.Hehassincebeenabletocallhisfamilyonaweeklybasis.Healthconcerns:AmnestyInternationalreportsthatal-Najjarhastoldhisfamilythatheissufferingfromseveretoothache,forwhichhehasbeengivenamildpainkillerbuthasnotbeenreferredtoadentist.Background:Al-NajjarhasreportedlysaidhehasbeenaccusedofhavinglinkstotheMuslimBrotherhood,ofcollaboratingwithQatarandofinsultingtheUAEinconnectionwithaFacebookpostwrittenin2014inwhichhepraisedthePalestinian’sresistanceinGazaandcriticisedIsraelandtheUAE.Accordingtohiswife,al-NajjarwrotethepostalmostayearbeforehemovedtotheUAEfromJordaninApril2015tojoinAlJewa,alargepublishinghouseintheUAE,aheadofthelaunchofal-DarweeklynewspaperinJanuary2016forwhomhewastowriteintheculturalpages.

Released

MuawiyahAL-RAWAHI(Omaninational):Profession:Writer,poetandbloggerDateofarrest:24February2015Dateofrelease:March2016Detailsofarrest:Al-RawahiwasreportedlydetainedafterdrivinguptoacheckpointbetweenOmanandUAE.HewasnotallowedtoentertheUAEandhistraveldocumentswereseized,accordingtonewsreports.Hewasmissing,heldinincommunicadosolitaryconfinementuntil31May2015whentheEmiratesStateSecurityApparatustransferredhimtoAlWathbaprison.Detailsoftrial:HewaschargedwithdefamingtheUnitedArabEmirates[UAE],itsrulersandpeopleonsocialmedia.Hisfirstcourtappearancewason14September2015.On14March2016,theFederalSupremeCourtacquittedhimofinsultingstateleadersonsocialmedia.Conditionsindetention:AccordingtoGulfCenterforHumanRights,on9November2015,al-RawahiappearedbeforetheFederalSupremeCourtofUAE,whichdecidedtoreferhimtoSheikhKhalifaMedicalCityhospitalinordertobeexamined.Thesameday,heallegedlyreportedonsocialmediathathewastorturedinprisonandthathehadbeenplacedinsolitaryconfinementforfourmonths.Healsosuggestedthathewouldeitherstartahungerstrikeorevencommitsuicideinprotestattheill-treatmentthathehadsuffered.Healthconcerns:On20June2015,hismothersentanappealtothecompetentauthoritiesintheUAEandOmantoensurethatal-Rawahiisprovidedwithhismedication.Hehasreportedlybeensufferingmentalhealthproblemsforwhichhereceivestreatment.Otherinformation:Al-Rawahihaspublishedeightbooks,bothnovelsandpoetry.Background:Al-RawahihadalreadyreportedlybeenarrestedinOmaninconnectionwithapostcriticisingtheOmaniauthoritiesfordetainingseveralteachersandactivistsentitled,‘Ahmedal-Bahri/Strike'sScapegoat,’onhisblog‘Bo2Bo2Was3’on12July2014.Al-RawahiwasreportedlysummonedtoappearbeforeOmaniintelligenceofficialsforquestioningaboutthepost,anddidnotreturnhome.AccordingtotheCommitteetoProtectJournalists,hespentfourdaysinanInternalSecurityServiceprisonbeforebeingtransferredtoAl-Masarrapsychiatrichospital.Then,aweeklater,hewasreportedlytransferredtothepsychiatricdepartmentofSultanQaboosUniversityHospital.Hewasreleasedon11August2014(see2014CaseList).

MohammedSalemAL-ZUMER:Profession:BloggerSentence:Threeyearsinprisonandafineof500,000EmiratiDirham(equivalenttoUS$136,000)Dateofarrest:5December2012Dateofrelease:December2015Detailsofarrest:Atapproximately9pm,MohammedSalimal-Zumurandafriendwerearrestedonthestreetbyplain-clothessecurityofficialswhotooktheirpersonalbelongings,includingmobilephonesandiPads.Al-Zumerwastakentoanundisclosedlocation.Details

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oftrial:On25December2013,theFederalCourtinAbuDhabiconvictedhimofinsultingboththeheadofstateandtheCrownPrinceofAbuDhabiincriticalcommentspublishedonlineregardingtheirrelationshipwiththeprivatesecurityfirmBlackwater.Hisallegationsoftortureandill-treatmentduringhisdetentionwereneverinvestigatedbythecourt.Detailsofrelease:Al-ZumerwasreportedlyreleasedinDecember2015uponexpiryofhissentence.

YEMENThesituationforjournalistsandfreedomofexpressionhasdeclinedsharplysincelate2014amidanon-goingconflictbetweenHouthirebelsandaSaudi-ledcoalition.Manyreportershavebeenforcedtoflee,followingtheHouthis'occupationofthecapital,Sana'a,inSeptember2014.AfterforcingtheresignationsofthePresidentandthegovernment,theHouthiforcesdissolvedparliamentandestablishedaRevolutionaryCommitteeinFebruary2015togovernthecountry.JournalistsstillworkinginSana’ahavebeenforcedtofollowtheHouthis'editorialline.JournalistshavealsobeenkilledduringclashesorduringairstrikesbytheSaudi-ledcoalition.

Killed:impunity

AbdulKarimMohammedAL-KHAIWANI:Profession:Journalist,politicianandformereditorofAl-ShouranewswebsiteDateofkilling:18March2015Detailsofkilling:Twounidentifiedgunmenonamotorcyclereportedlyshotdeadal-Khaiwaniinfrontofhishome.Nogrouphasclaimedresponsibilityfortheattacksasof30June2016.Background:Al-KhaiwaniwasknownforcriticisingthepoliciesofformerPresidentAliAbdullahSalehandbecameincreasinglyalignedwiththeHouthimovementaftertheuprisingthatoustedtheSaleh.Otherinformation:Al-Khaiwaniwassentencedtosixyearsinprisononthebasisofinterviewsheconductedandarticleshewrote,whichauthoritiesclaimedshowedhehadconspiredwithaHouthirebelleader.Heservedonlyfourmonthsbeforebeingpardoned.Hewasalsoimprisonedin2004.In2007gunmenabducted,beat,andthreatenedhiminconnectionwithanarticlethatcriticisedformerPresidentSaleh.SeeCaseList2004and2007Awards:AmnestyInternational’sSpecialAwardforHumanRightsJournalismUnderThreat(2008)

Detained–maincase

*HarethHOMID,Profession:journalistforalRabihNetD.O.Bborn1989,*HasanONAB,Profession:TVjournalistandscriptwriterD.O.Bapprox.1981*AkramAL-WALEEDI,Profession:journalistfornewspapersAlSahwaandAlRabihNetandthespeakeroftheYemeniCongregationforReform"theMuslimBrotherhood"D.O.Bborn1985*HashemAL-YOUSFI,Profession:JournalistforAlsahwanewspaperD.O.B:1991*AbdelKhaleeOMRAN,Profession:EditoroftheonlinesiteAl-Islah*TouficAL-MANSOURY,Profession:theartisticdirectorofthedailynewspaperAlMasdar(closeddownbytheHouthimilitia)*HaythamALSHEHAB,Profession:journalistatalAhalinewspaperDateofdetention:9June2015Detailsofdetention:AllsevenwerekidnappedbytheHouthirebelsinYemenonthesameday(9thJune2015)alongsidetwoothermediaworkers

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EssamBulgat(journalistattheradiostationAlNASFM)andHishamTarmom.TheyweretakenfromahotelinSana’awhertheyfeltsaferandcouldworkusingelectricitywithoutinterruption.Currentplaceofdetention:Unknown.Heldinvariouslocationsandreportedlytorturedaftertheirdetention,accordingtotheInternationalFederationofJournalists(IFJ),whichhaslaunchedacampaignfortheirrelease,theyweretakentoalHabraprison,Sana’a.TheyweremovedtoanunknownlocationinMay2016afterbeginningahungerstrike.Conditionsindetention:Allarereportedtohavebeentorturedindetention.Theyarereportedtohavebegunahungerstrikeon9May2016,inprotestattheircontinueddetention.

Attacked

*NabelSUBAYE:Profession:JournalistforseveralnationalnewspapersandpoetDateofattack:2January2016Detailsofattack:HewasattackedbyarmedmenonamotorbikewhilehewaswalkinginastreetinSana’a.AccordingtoIFJ,themenshothimtwiceinbothlegs,andbeathimforseveralminuteswithbatonsonhisheadandback,causinghimtobehospitalized.Otherinformation:Sincethelate1990s,Subaye’swritingshavefocusedonhumanrightsandthefightagainstoppression.Hiswritingscriticizedpowerinheritance,thewarinSadaa,andthebrutalcrackdownonpeacefulprotestsinSouthYemen.HealsopublishedwritingscriticaloftheTransitionalProcess(2012-2014)andcondemnedtheriseofarmedgroupsin2014andtheirtakeoverthestate’sinstitutionandcapitalinJanuary2015.Recently,SubayebecameevenmorevocalagainstallsidestotheYemeniconflict,whichledtoacatastrophichumanitariancrisis.

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LISTOFHONORARYMEMBERSBYPENCENTREPENAmericanCentre

Azerbaijan KhadijaISMAYILOVA

Cameroon DieudonnéEnohMEYOMESSE

China LIUXia

HADA

LIUXiaobo

SHITao

YANGTongyan

China/Tibet WOESER

DolmaKYAB

China/XUAR NurmuhemmetYASIN

IlhamTOHTI

Ethiopia EskinderNEGA

Eritrea EmanuelASRAT

TemeskenGHEBREYESUS

MattewosHABTEAB

DawitHABTEMICHAEL

DawitISAAC

SeyoumTSEHAYE

Iran NasrinSOTOUDEH

Myanmar/Burma AUNGThan

ZEYAAung

Qatar Mohammedal-AJAMI

Turkey AyşeBERKTAY

RagıpZARAKOLU

Uzbekistan MohammedBEKJANOV

MamadaliMAHMUDOV

Vietnam NGUYENXuanNghiaAustrianPEN

Cameroon DieudonnéEnohMEYOMESSE

SaudiArabia Waleedal-HUSSEIN

Eritrea Kim’ieKimeilBasquePEN

Iran AdnanHASSANPOURBelgianPEN

Egypt FatimaNAOOT

Iran NargesMOHAMMADI

MahvashSABETPENCanada

Angola LuatyBeirão

SedrickdeCarvalho

DomingosdaCRUZ

Azerbaijan KhadijaISMAYILOVAKhadijaISMAYILOVA

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China HADA

LIUXiaobo

YANGTongyan(akaYangTianshui)

Eritrea EmanuelASRAT

YusufMohamedAli

SaidAbdelkader

TemeskenGHEBREYESUS

MattewosHABTEAB

DawitHABTEMICHAEL

DawitISAAC

SeyoumTSEHAYE

FesshayeYohannes

Ethiopia ReeyotALEMU

EskinderNEGA

Mexico JoséArmandoRodriguezCarreón

MarcoAntonioLópezOrtiz

Russia AnnaPOLITKOVSKAYA

SaudiArabia RaefBADAWI

Syria TalAl-MALLOUHI

Turkey AyşeBERKTAY

Uzbekistan MuhammadBEKZHON(BEKJANOV)

DilmurodSAIDOV(pen-name:SAYYID)CatalanPEN

China/Tibet KunchokTsephelGopeyTsang

Honduras DinaMeza

Iran MohammadSadiqKabudvand

Syria Dia’aAl-AbdullahCzechPEN

China LIUXiaobo

GAOYu

Cuba JorgeOliveraDanishPEN

China/XUAR IlhamTOHTI

China LIUXia

GAOYu

YAOWentian

Egypt OmarHAZEK

Iran NargesMOHAMMADI

MahvashSABET

SaudiArabia RaifBADAWI

Syria TalAl-MALLOUHI

Turkey MuharremERBEY

NedimŞENER

AhmetŞIK

DenizZARAKOLU

AsliErdogan

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EnglishPEN

Bahrain DrAbduljalilAl-Singace

Cameroon EnohMeyomesse

Egypt OmarHazek

Iran MahvashSabet

Qatar Mohammedal-Ajami

SaudiArabia WaleedAbuAl-Khair

Turkey CanDundar

Uzbekistan MamadaliMakhmudov

PENEritrea

Eritrea EmanuelASRAT

YusufMohamedAli

SaidAbdelkader

TemeskenGHEBREYESUS

MattewosHABTEAB

DawitHABTEMICHAEL

DawitISAAK

SeyoumTSEHAYE

FesshayeYohannes

IrdrisAba'are

SahleTseazagab

MedhanieHaile

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IdrisMohamedAli

Ahmed"CNN"

SalehIdris"Jeze'iri"

FinnishPEN

Kazakhstan AronAtabek

Eritrea DawitISAAK

FrenchPEN

Vietnam DANGPhucTue(religiousname:ThichQuangDo)

GermanPEN

China LIBifeng

LIUXiaobo

SHITao

China/Tibet DolmaKYAB

Qatar MohammedIbnal-DHEEBal-AJAMI

SaudiArabia RaifBadawi

AshrafFayadh

Turkey DenizZARAKOLU

RagıpZARAKOLU

PinarSELEK

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Turkey CanDündar

Turkey ErdemGül

Vietnam DANGPhucTue(religiousname:THICHQuangDo)

USA MumiaAbuJamal

GuatemalanPEN

China GUOQuan

IcelandPEN

China LIUXiaobo

IndependentChinesePENCentre(ICPC)

Bahrain Abduljalilal-SINGACE

China CHENShuqing

CHENWei

CHENXI

CHENYongzhou

GUOQuan

GUOYushan

GUOZhongxiao

HADA

HEZhengjun

HUANGKaiping

HUANGZerong

LIBifeng

LITie

LiuHaitao

LIUXianbin

LIUXia

LIUXiaobo(HonoraryPresident)

LUJianhua

PUZhiqiang

QIChonghuai

WANGJiamin

XUZhiyong

YANGMaodong

YAOWentian

ZHANGMiao

China/Tibet BHUDHA(pen-name:BuddhatheDestitute)

DHONKHOJangtse(akaRongke,pen-name:Nyen)

GANGKYEDrubpaKyab

GartseJIGME

DROKRUTsultrim

KHELSANG(KALSANG)Jinpa(pen-name:Garmi)

China/XUAR HailaiteNIYAZI(akaHairatorGheyretNiyaz)

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IlhamTOHTI

NurmuhemmetYASIN

ItalianPEN

China YANGTongyan(akaYangTianshui)

JapanPEN

China(XUAR) IlhamTOHTI

MelbournePEN

Belarus IrinaKHALIP

NatalyaRadina

PapuaNewGuinea BehrouzBOOCHANI

SaudiArabia WajehaAL-HUWAIDER

Turkey RagipZARAKOLU

ProfessorBüşraERSANLI

TheGambia SeedyBojang

NetherlandsPEN

Turkey RagıpZARAKOLU

NewZealandPEN

Belarus IrinaKHALIP

NorwegianPEN

Azerbaijan KhadijaIsmayilova

Turkey HrantDINK

PalestinianPEN

Palestine Mohammadal-Qiq

SaudiArabia AshrafFayyad

PortuguesePEN

China LIUXiaobo

QuebecPEN

SaudiArabia RaifBadawi

SanMigueldeAllendePEN

Turkey RagıpZARAKOLU

China LIUXiaobo

ScottishPEN

Mexico LydiaCACHO

Turkey RagipZarakolu

SaudiArabia AshrafFayadh

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RaifBadawiSwedishPEN

Afghanistan: SamayHamed

Bangladesh: TaslimaNasrin

Bangladesh AnisurRahman

Bangladesh TasneemKhalil

Belarus SvetlanaAleksijevitj

China GAOYu

LiuDi

XuXiao

Cuba OmarMoisésRuizHernandez

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Iran AdnanHASSANPOUR

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ParvinArdalan

Mexico LydiaCacho

Russia MarijaAljochina

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SaudiArabia RaefBADAWI

AshrafFAYADH

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Turkey CanDÜNDAR

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Vietnam BùiChát

SwissGermanPEN

Turkey ErolÖZKORAY

PinarSELEK

SwissItalianPEN

China LIUXiaobo

LIUXia

Turkey MuharremERBEY

DenizZARAKOLU

SuisseRomandPENCentre

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China/Tibet BHUDHA(pen-name:BuddhatheDestitute)

DHONKHOJangtse(akaRongke,pen-name:Nyen)

KHELSANG(KALSANG)Jinpa(pen-name:Garmi)

Vietnam LUVanBay

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SydneyPEN

China LIUXiaobo

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China/Tibet NgawangOeser

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Cuba BlasGiraldoReyesRodriguez

LésterLuisGonzálezPentón

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Iran MohammadSadiqKabudvand

Myanmar/Burma Zargana

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Vietnam NGUYENVanLy

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TurkishPEN

Turkey MustafaBALBAY

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ProfessorBüşraERSANLI

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RagıpZARAKOLU

UyghurPEN

China GUOQuan

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Bangladesh SalahUddinShoaibCHOUDHURY

Ethiopia EskinderNega

Ukraine MuhammadBEKZHON(BEKJANOV)

Uzbekistan MohammedBEKJANOV

Angola RafaelMarquesdeMorais

HrantDINK