Journalists in prison as of December 1, 2012

Bahrain: 1

Abduljalil Alsingace, freelance
Imprisoned: March 17, 2011

Alsingace, a journalistic blogger and human rights defender, was among a number of high-profile government critics arrested as the government renewed its crackdown on dissent after pro-reform protests swept the country in February 2011.

In June 2011, a military court sentenced Alsingace to life imprisonment for "plotting to topple the monarchy." In all, 21 bloggers, human rights activists, and members of the political opposition were found guilty on similar charges and handed lengthy sentences. (Ali Abdel Imam, another journalistic blogger, was sentenced to 15 years in prison but was in hiding in late year.)

The High Court of Appeal upheld Alsingace's conviction and life sentence in September 2012. It similarly upheld the harsh rulings against his co-defendants. The defendants planned to appeal to the Court of Cassation, which is nation's highest court.

On his blog, Al-Faseela (Sapling), Alsingace wrote critically about human rights violations, sectarian discrimination, and repression of the political opposition. He also monitored human rights for the Shia-dominated opposition Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy.

Alsingace had been first arrested on anti-state conspiracy charges in August 2010 as part of widespread reprisals against political dissidents, but was released briefly in February 2011 as part of a government effort to appease a then-nascent protest movement.

Disclaimer: © Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ.

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.