Stories about Legal Threats from February, 2014
#AB14: If I speak out, will I be punished for it?
Focusing on policies for the digital realm seems strange in a region where dissent and even fact-based reporting, whether they happen online or offline, so often have profound real-life consequences.
Digital Surveillance in Angola and Other “Less Important” African Countries
Detection of malware in Africa's largest countries seems to be of ongoing interest to researchers. But what about those countries that are "less important" on the global stage?
Xu Zhiyong and the Long Road for China's Human Rights Activists
Oiwan Lam argues that the conviction of human rights activist Xu Zhiyong, a pioneer of civic organizing online, is emblematic of the new era of government repression towards Chinese activists.
Sudan: Blogger Remains in Detention for Criticizing Presidents
Tajeldin Arja was arrested at a press conference last December, after he criticized the Sudanese and Chadian Presidents for their actions surrounding the conflict in Darfur.
Algerian Cartoonist Faces 18 Months in Jail for Mocking President
Djamel Ghanem faces prison for an unpublished cartoon in which he used an image of baby diapers to mock Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Venezuela: Protests Leave Three Dead as Threats to Media Escalate
Venezuelan citizens took to the streets to demand the release of student protester arrested in previous demonstrations concerning public safety and food shortages. Media organizations covering the protests are facing censorship and legal threats.
Some Kazakh Bloggers Dine With Mayor, Some Get Jail Terms
Three Kazakh bloggers have been sentenced to 10 days in jail for protesting outside a restaurant where a mayor was meeting with other local bloggers.
Four Months in Jail and Counting for Algerian Blogger Who Criticized President
Algerian blogger Abdelghani Aloui has been in prison since September 2013. His charge? Posting on Facebook photos and caricatures deemed offensive to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.