Stories about Legal Threats from September, 2016
In Tanzania, Expressing Political Opinions on Social Media is Becoming Increasingly Dangerous
Five Tanzanian citizens, Dennis Temu, Suleiman Nassoro, Shakira Makame, Juma Mtatuu, Dennis Mtegwa, appeared before a Tanzanian court September 14 charged with insulting President John Magufuli on social media. The five denied the charges. It is alleged that the five shared offensive content targeting the president and the police between August…
Kuwait Detains Activist Sara Al-Drees for Insulting the Country's Ruler
The pro-democracy activist has previously served jail time for the same charge.
Jordanian Authorities Impose Media Gag After Writer's Killing
Jordanian authorities have banned media coverage of the assassination of Nahed Hattar, a writer who was shot dead on September 25 by a gunman in the capital Amman.
Sudanese Authorities Use ‘Pornography’ as Evidence in Criminal Trial of Human Rights Advocates
Sudanese authorities are using what they deem as "pornographic" and "immoral" evidence in a trial of ten civil society activists, six of whom are facing capital punishment charges.
He Supported Bombing Syria a Little Too Eagerly, Now RuNet Pioneer Faces Prison
Anton Nossik faces two years in a penal colony after calling for the bombing of territory controlled by the Syrian government.
The UAE Has Avoided an ‘Arab Spring’ by Systematically Repressing Critical Speech
Wary of an Arab-Spring like uprising within its borders, the UAE government launched an unprecedented crackdown on critics and activists.
Maldives Authorities Target Journalists After Al Jazeera Exposes $1.5 Billion Corruption Scandal
President Yameen and his associates embezzled millions of dollars, bribed judges and other high-level officials, and used influence to remove government workers who stood in their way.
Algerian Court Upholds Conviction of Activist Jailed for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Despite having his sentenced decreased by two years, Bouhafs will still remain in jail for expressing his views.
Russia's Pokemon-Go-Playing Atheist Outlaw Has Some Powerful Enemies
Out of respect for the blogger, the church says it won't “force Christian forgiveness” or “Christian love,” explaining that he hasn't asked for the former and rejects the latter.
Russia's Pokemon Gulag
Ruslan Sokolovksy’s alleged crime was filming himself playing Pokemon Go inside a Russian Orthodox cathedral. If convicted of the charges, he could go to prison for up to five years.
Bahraini Court Refuses to Release Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab, Delays Verdict
Rajab faces up to 15 years in jail for tweeting about the Saudi-led war in Yemen and denouncing incidents of torture in a Bahraini prison.
After Two Months on Hunger Strike, Jailed Algerian Journalist Enters Coma
Mohamad Tamalt went on hunger strike on 27 June to protest his arrest and imprisonment. He is in jail for insulting the Algerian President online.
‘Spy’ Trial Against Macedonian Journalist Is Postponed Amid Calls for His Release
"Such cases are intended to punish the disobedient journalists and intimidate and discipline the others."