16 Feb 11 | Index Index, minipost
The Italian police have seized the Savona e Ponente blog after it ran a satirical piece entitled “I want to kill Berlusconi”. Journalist Valeria Rossi heavily criticised the Italian prime minister, writing that: “You can’t feel guilty of wishing him death, because he’s not human: he’s an alien with incredible psychic powers.” The article condemns Berlusconi for his sexual affairs and abuse of power. He has been repeatedly accused of restricting press freedom in Italy.
15 Feb 11 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Young Syrian blogger, Tal al-Mallouhi, has been sentenced to five years in prison by a state security court on espionage charges. Mallouhi, who was 18 at the time of her arrest in December 2009, was accused of spying for the US embassy in Egypt and held incommunicado for nine months before her family was allowed to see her. Before her arrest she ran a blog that focused on poetry, social commentary and Palestinian issues. A poem criticising restrictions on freedom of expression in Syria may be the reason behind her arrest, activists have suggested.
14 Feb 11 | Index Index, minipost
Journalist and blogger Olena Bilozerska has managed to recover some of the equipment and material which was illegally seized from her home in Kiev on 12 January. The police interrogation on 8 February included questions about her sources. The police returned some items but have kept 162 CDs and DVDs which contain material needed for her work. She regained her camera and video camera, neither of which was working. The authorities also returned her computer, which had been dismantled.
10 Jan 11 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
At least 14 protesters have been killed in violent demonstrations in the cities of Tala, Kasserine and Rgeb since Saturday amidst continuing anti-government protests. In Tala the Tunisian security force allegedly started firing at protesters who were setting fire to a government building. The Tunisian government has arrested bloggers, lawyers and activists since anti-government demonstrations began in December.
