SANA'A, Yemen, June 9 (UPI) -- A prominent Yemeni newspaper and online editor was sentenced to six years in prison Monday for distributing publications sympathetic to insurrectionist rebels.
Abdul Karim al-Khaiwani, the former editor in chief of the Yemeni al-Shora newspaper and Web site, was convicted of having ties to the Houthi rebels in Saada province in northern Yemen, the Yemen News Agency reported. Following his conviction, Al-Khaiwani -- one of 14 facing similar charges -- was detained and will be sent to a prison in Sana'a, though he may appeal.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemned the harsh sentence.
"Despite the courage of many Yemeni journalists, al-Khaiwani was exposed to security (persecution) because of his critical writings against the Yemeni government and president, which seem to be the reason behind the tough sentence," said Gamal Eid, the executive director of the network.
U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called al-Khaiwani's conviction and sentence part of "a distressing trend in Yemen of intimidation and prosecution of independent journalists in criminal and security courts."
"Al-Khaiwani himself has been the victim of violence, intimidation and kidnappings that the government of Yemen has yet to fully investigate and prosecute those responsible," McCormack said. "We call upon the government of Yemen to protect Yemeni journalists and their right to free expression in the pursuit of their profession."
