Al-Jazirah’s correspondent still in custody, family refused access

By Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV

DOHA, Dec 23, 2003 — The Sudanese security authorities have refused to allow the family of Al-Jazeera Correspondent Islam Salih to visit him in his detention place. Islam’s father, brother, and wife had requested to meet him, but officials turned down their request and asked them to fill out a visit form. When they did so, officials told them the next day that they could not meet him. Islam’s family expressed concern after it became impossible to meet him and know the place where the Sudanese authorities are holding him.

The Arab Human Rights Committee issued a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Jazeera, in which it described the closure of Al-Jazeera’s office in Khartoum as an arbitrary measure and called for the immediate release of Islam. The statement also called for stopping repressive measures against the press and Al-Jazeera channel.

It is to be noted that the Sudanese authorities had closed Al- Jazeera’s office in Khartoum and have been holding our correspondent there Islam Salih since 18 December.

BBC Monitoring Media