Kamal Sharaf Released By Yemeni Court
Kamal Sharaf, the Yemeni cartoonist who was taken into custody August 16 after his home was raided along with those of two journalism colleagues, was released earlier today by something called the Special Penal Court. The prosecution has appealed. Sharaf's co-defendant, a fellow journalist, was not released. During the first day of the trial yesterday the prosecution asked that the cartoonist be held for an extra 45 days to continue their investigation into Sharaf's activities. His family was not allowed to see him for a full month after he was taken into custody, and both the family and advocacy groups were generally concerned about his health. The advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontieres has repeatedly called for his release.
