Ali Mohaqiq Nasab, the editor of a women's rights magazine in Afghanistan, has been released from prison. Nasab was originally sentenced to two years in prison for publishing articles criticizing execution and other severe punishments for adultery, thievery, and murder under sharia (Islamic) law, but an appeals court reduced his sentence to six months on December 21 and released Nasab on probation for his remaining sentence after he apologized for writing the articles, according to Agence France Presse. In addition, Afghanistan’s Media Monitoring Commission removed Nasab from the position of chief editor of the magazine, AFP reports.
The Feminist Majority and international media organizations, including the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, have been working to free Nasab since he was arrested in October.
Media Resources: Agence France Presse 12/21/05; Reuters 12/22/05; Radio Free Afghanistan 12/29/05
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