AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Lualuatv
Monday

21 August 2017

6:37:10 PM
849781

Manama to arrest prominent Bahraini journalist Naziha Saeed

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Manama has reportedly issued an arrest warrant for the award-winning Bahraini journalist Naziha Saeed.

In late May, the former correspondent for France 24 and the Arabic-language Monte Carlo Doualiya radio was fined nearly USD 3,000 for working without a permit.

In the lead up to her conviction, she was banned from leaving the country and charged with violating article 88 of the kingdom’s press law after the authorities refused to renew her accreditation.

On Sunday, Saeed tweeted that her appeal to have the May verdict overturned was rejected by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation, which also ordered her arrest until the fine is paid.

Both Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have called for the reversal of Saeed’s so-called conviction in May.

According to the RSF, 14 journalists and citizen-journalists are currently detained in Bahrain for broaching sensitive subjects.

In 2016, the regime intensified its crackdown against dissident journalists, which culminated in the closure of the country’s last independent newspaper, Al Wasat.

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