Thursday, November 29, 2012

Qatar repression: the Emir who wants to bring democracy to the Arabs sentences a man for life for a poem that offended him

"Qatari poet Mohammad Ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami has reportedly been sentenced to life in prison in a local court this morning.   It remains unclear what Al-Ajami was convicted of, but he was arrested in Doha last November and eventually charged with “inciting to overthrow the regime” and “insulting the Emir.”  Amnesty International, which confirmed this morning’s ruling to Doha News, said Al-Ajami has one week to submit his appeal."  (thanks Michele)