April, 09 2015, 03:15pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Sherif Mansour, Program Coordinator
Tel. +1.212.300.9018, Email: smansour@cpj.org
Jason Stern, Research Associate
Tel. +1.212.300.9017, Email: jstern@cpj.org
Norwegian Freelance Journalist Held in Yemen
The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of Raymond Lidal, a Norwegian freelance journalist who has been detained in Yemen for nearly two weeks, according to his friend and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lidal's case was not publicly reported until Wednesday night.
NEW YORK, NY
The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the immediate release of Raymond Lidal, a Norwegian freelance journalist who has been detained in Yemen for nearly two weeks, according to his friend and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lidal's case was not publicly reported until Wednesday night.
Lidal, who has worked in Yemen as a freelance journalist since 2012, was detained in the capital, Sana'a, on the night of March 28 by security forces controlled by the Houthi movement, Foreign Ministry Head of Communications Frode Andersen told CPJ. Andersen said the ministry had been in contact with the "relevant authorities" but not with the journalist directly. He said the reason for Lidal's detention was not clear.
"Independent reporting is vital if people in Yemen, around the region, and elsewhere are to know anything about what is happening at this critical time in the country's history," said CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator Sherif Mansour. "We urge Houthi forces to release Raymond Lidal immediately and for all sides clashing in Yemen to respect the role of journalists and allow them to work freely."
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.
(212) 465-1004LATEST NEWS
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