Rapid Actions
Blogger and Poet Sentenced
Blogger, poet, and high school student Tal Al-Mallouhi was handed down a five-year sentence on February 14, 2011, on the charge of "divulging information to a foreign state." More
Journalist Arrested; Fears for Safety
Iranian journalist Taghi Rahmani, who was arrested at his home on February 9, 2011, is believed to be held without charge and his whereabouts are still unknown. More
Long Prison Sentences for Two Journalists
PEN International protests the February 4, 2011 conviction and imprisonment of Umurabyo editor Agnes Uwimana and reporter Saidati Mukakibibi, for articles they published criticizing President Paul Kagame ahead of… More
Continued Detention of Journalist ‘Ali Al-‘Abdullah
Journalist ‘Ali al-‘Abdullah, whose two-and-a-half-year sentence for his dissident writings and peaceful opposition activities expired in June 2010, now faces new charges of "disseminating false information" for an article… More
Mass Arrests of Journalists; Fears for Safety
A wave of journalists have been arrested during recent pro-democracy street protests in Sudan, resulting in the incommunicado detention of at least 12 journalists, 11 of whom were arrested… More
Journalist and Blogger Mohammed Abdulqader Al-Jassem Released
Journalist and blogger Mohammed Abdulqader al-Jassem was released on January 23, 2011, after spending more than two months in prison, on a charge of defaming the Prime Minister, Sheikh… More
Asylum-Seeking Writer Detained; Deported Following Publication of Book
On the evening of January 12, 2011, 25-year-old Maria Amelie, Russian-born writer and asylum seeker, was arrested for breaking Norweigan immigration law after drawing attention to her situation in… More
Anniversary Action for Abducted Columnist Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda
One year after the disappearance of Sri Lankan journalist Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda on January 24, 2010, there is still no news of his whereabouts or fate and that his abductors… More
Academic Pinar Selek Will Be Tried February 9; Faces 36 Years in Prison
Pinar Selek, writer, sociologist, and founder of the Amargi Women’s Solidarity Cooperative, will be tried in Istanbul on February 9, 2011, on charges of which she has already been… More
Columnist Disappeared; Fears for Safety
International PEN is deeply concerned for the well-being of columnist Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda, who has been missing since January 24, 2010. PEN fears that pro-government forces may be responsible for… More
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