Defamation case hearing on Tuesday
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
The High Civil Court has summoned blogger Mahmood Al Yousif to appear on Tuesday.
The summons (pictured) follows the case filed by the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, Mansoor Hasan Bin Rajab, alleging that he was defamed in an article posted in Mahmood’s blog.
The summons says the blogger has been charged under the Press and Publication Law 47/2002 (3/4, 72,77) and the Penal Code (3/92, 364, 365).
“I received the summons on Wednesday at 10am. On two occasions the minister had said that he would withdraw the case. But that did not happen.
Defamation case hearing on Tuesday
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
The High Civil Court has summoned blogger Mahmood Al Yousif to appear on Tuesday.
The summons (pictured) follows the case filed by the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, Mansoor Hasan Bin Rajab, alleging that he was defamed in an article posted in Mahmood’s blog.
The summons says the blogger has been charged under the Press and Publication Law 47/2002 (3/4, 72,77) and the Penal Code (3/92, 364, 365).
“I received the summons on Wednesday at 10am. On two occasions the minister had said that he would withdraw the case. But that did not happen.
“I am ready to discuss the matter so that we reach consensus. Let the law take its course now,” Al Yousif told the Tribune.
In his article dated November 22, the blogger criticised the municipality for not carrying out its duties.
The Bahrain Journalist Association then asked all journalists to demonstrate outside the court if the court considered the case against Al Yousif.
Lawyer Fatima Al Hawaj, who has been appointed by the BJA for the case, told the Tribune, “I am working on the details of the case and cannot divulge any information.”
The Tribune had reported that Al Yousif was interrogated by the Public Prosecutor on February 8. In his latest post, the blogger thanked the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and the Bahrain Human Rights Society for support.
It stated: “This case is nothing more than a scare tactic to silence any form of criticism, especially against a public official.”
Al Yousif has also called on his supporters to be present at the court on Tuesday.
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper-