**We apologise for any cross-posting - The following is being forwarded exactly
as received**

To: IFEX Autolist (other news of interest)
From: Writers in Prison Committee, International PEN, [email protected]

RAPID ACTION NETWORK

26 June 2003

Update #1 to RAN 34/03

Djibouti: Editor Daher Ahmed Farah released

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of
Daher Ahmed Farah, editor of the newspaper Le Renouveau and leader of the
Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development.

Farah was released on 23 June 2003 when the presiding judge at his hearing ruled
that no crime had been committed and that the defendant was therefore not
guilty. He had been accused of libel and had been detained since 20 April 2003
(except for a short release of two days from 3-5 June 2003 when he had been
granted a provisional release before being re-arrested on 5 June 2003).

According to information received by International PEN Farah's detention had
stemmed from an article which appeared in Le Renouveau criticising General
Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, the deputy head of the army, for lacking 'neutrality'.
The article also stated that the army should 'not take sides'. Following the
publication of the article a complaint had been filed against Daher Ahmed Farah
by General Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim. Although General Ibrahim had offered to
withdraw the lawsuit in return for a letter of apology Farah had refused to do
so.

For further details contact Sara Birch at the Writers in Prison Committee London
Office: 9-10 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1M 7AT UK Tel: + 44 (0) 20 72 53
32 26 Fax: + 44 (0) 20 72 53 57 11 e-mail: [email protected]

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WiPC**