Al-Jazeera station’s reporter reportedly to appear in court soon

By Sudanese opposition National Democratic Alliance radio

Jan 14, 2004 — Satellite TV station Al-Jazeera’s reporter Islam Salih, based in Khartoum, will soon appear before Khartoum North criminal court, following a case raised by President [Umar] Al-Bashir’s security authorities to the prosecutor in charge of crimes against the state.

The reporter was accused of three counts: Tarnishing the name of the system [presumably government] externally, reporting false information and obstructing an official, the punishment of which amount to imprisonment or fine.

Meanwhile, government’s press council committee is examining a request made by the security organs regarding withdrawal of the license of al-Jazeera station office in Khartoum.

BBC Monitoring Middle East