The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the abduction and harassment of Al-Wasat editor-in-chief Jamal Amer.

According to information before IPI, in the early morning of 23 August, Amer was blindfolded and forced into a car by armed assailants who took him to a remote area outside the capital, Sana’a. The assailants, dressed in plain clothes but driving a vehicle with military license plates, beat Amer and threatened to kill him. They warned Amer that his children’s safety would be threatened if he continued with his investigative reporting or reported his abduction to the authorities.

Reports say the assailants condemned Amer for writing on corruption within the government and interrogated him about other writers and editors at Al-Wasat. They also questioned him about the independent weekly’s sources of funding or connections to foreign embassies.

In recent weeks, Al-Wasat has published several articles regarding corruption and abuse of power by the government and has implicated the association of senior state officials with such corruption. The most recent article listed the names of 56 students, with connections to high-ranking government officers, who have been awarded state-funded scholarships to study abroad.

The attack on Amer occurs as the climate for journalists and media workers in Yemen is becoming increasingly hostile. In recent months an alarming rise in incidents of intimidation and harassment have been reported.

Following the violent protests over the government’s fuel price increase in late July, in which at least 36 people were killed, army and security forces arrested a number of journalists for reporting on the riots and their aftermath. Others were attacked or had their equipment confiscated. During this time, foreign media were prevented from sending news reports using Yemeni TV satellite stations. Other journalists report that several weeks after the riots took place, they are still receiving harassing phone calls and continued threats warning them not to write critical reports of the government.

Prior to that, on 17 July, Hajei Al-Jehafi, managing editor of the independent daily An-Nahar, was seriously wounded when a booby-trapped letter exploded in his face. Al-Jehafi continues to receive threats against himself and his family in retaliation for his investigative reporting.

Referring to Amer’s abduction, IPI Director Johann P. Fritz said, “This alarming incident gives cause for grave concern over the spiralling decline of press freedom in Yemen. Journalists should not be hindered as they carry out their critical role as watchdogs and must be allowed to work without fear of harassment and intimidation.”

“In keeping with Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, we urge Yemeni authorities to ensure everyone’s right to ‘seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.’ We also call for an immediate and thorough investigation into Amer’s abduction.”