Al-Khaiwani Receives Amnesty International’s Prize as his Trials Resumes

The State Specialized Penal Court is due to issue its ruling against Sana'a Second Cell affiliated with Houthi rebels today. Fifteen people, including journalist Abdul Karim Al-Khaiwani, are being tried over targeting military personnel, forming gangs and poisoning water tanks.

Though the trials were scheduled for May 21, the session was adjourned because it was timed with the 18th anniversary of  Yemen's reunification.

Al-Khaiwani is accused of numerous violations, among which includes leaking information on the progress of fighting in Sa'ada between the army and Houthi rebels.

During his trial, Amnesty International Organization listed Al-Khaiwani among those journalists to be honored in dedication for human rights and those whose lives are subject to peril in 2008.

According to the organizations release, the prize is awarded to any journalist from across globe whose life was subject to peril, mainly because of adopting human rights journalism.

The release also revealed that Al-Khaiwani, who was the editor-in-chief of Al-Shoura newspaper, has been subjected to perils while performing his journalistic mission.

It called on concerned authorities to ensure his safety and his right to freedom of expression, stressing that a journalist anywhere in the world should not be detained over performing his journalistic task.

The winning journalists are hosted in the organization's headquarters in London where they are granted the prize. The prize festival is held on June 16.

Media sources feared the issuance of the ruling against Al-Khaiwani could prevent him from traveling abroad to receive the prize, especially when the ruling announcement comes when the situation is tense between Houthi followers and authorities.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Journalists Syndicate demanded President Saleh and concerned authorities to drop Al-Khaiwani's accusations and stop his trial.

The syndicate called as well for releasing Journalist Mohammed Al-Maqaleh who is detained over the same charges directed to Al-Khaiwani as well as accusing him of disparaging judiciary inside the court hall as he was attending one of Al-Khaiwani's trial sessions.

Al-Khaiwani was jailed early in 2004 after accusing him of disseminating information about Sa'ada war as well as publishing reports on the inheritance of rule.