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Russia: Blogger on Trial for Writing Fiction

Veronica Khokhlova · 23:02

lingua → pt

Dmitry Shirinkin (a Perm-based LJ user tetraox) faces trial for having written on his blog that he had purchased a gun and was going to kill a few dozen people in one of the city’s colleges.

According to Shirinkin, the text - posted on April 21, but made private on April 22 - was a work of fiction, “inspired” by the Virginia Tech shooting. According to the prosecutor's office, however, Shirinkin has violated Article 207 of the Russian Criminal Code by “distributing false information on a planned terrorist act.” The trial is likely to take place in September; if convicted, the Russian blogger may receive a three-year prison sentence.

A concerned reader (LJ user rassty) asks (RUS) Shirinkin:

I wonder how the LJ community is going to keep you from being destroyed? And by the way, do you have a good lawyer - or a court-appointed one?

Shirinkin replies:

The lawyer's good, an old friend, a colleague from the legal community. Experienced, respected. Has been working at this particular court a lot.

[…]

There's no way for LJ to help me. LJ is a virtual thing, unfortunately( I'll have to work it out on my own(

Anton Nossik - LJ user dolboeb, a representative of the company that oversees LiveJournal's Russian segment - is not too optimistic (RUS) about the direction that Vladimir Putin's Russia is moving in:

[…] Though, of course, it's good that it is all still happening in Perm, not in Moscow. But [the Commander's footsteps] are getting louder.

LJ user pavel_kireev, in a comment to Anton Nossik's post, writes that the government is beginning to tighten the screws on Russia's internet users:

How good I felt on the web in 2001… In 2003, I felt safe but knew that it wasn't going to last. And now, freedom has ended…

LJ user denbor argues (RUS) the details of Shirinkin's case with LJ user zemsky, also in the comments section of Nossik's post:

denbor:

You've confused the terms. He's not being tried for LJ. LJ is nothing but a technical means through which he distributed false information on a terrorist act in the making. This is what real freedom is about. He was free to do what he did, and the prosecution was free to apply legal means to him. Why is everyone so upset? The law enforcement officials have not violated any laws. Any clever lawyer would tell you that they were using the article appropriately. All within the legal framework. […]

zemsky:

Only a mass medium can be used to distribute information. A newspaper, for example. Or a phone call. And it was clear right away that this was a work of fiction. And it wasn't the author who distributed false information, but that other person, the one who had turned him in. […]

denbor:

Quote: “And LJ is a tool for expressing all kinds of nonsense.”

An interesting definition. But it appears that we'll have to get used to the idea that the internet is also a mass medium, and the one that's even more efficient than TV, radio or newspapers […]. […] And he hasn't been imprisoned yet, right? His case is just being considered in court. If he proves that this was nothing but a work of fiction, great. The main thing is to get the people to understand that they will be held responsible for their words. Unfortunately, people in Russia aren't used to this - or have gotten unused in the 15 years of anarchy.

Anton Nossik concludes (RUS):

The main thing is to get the people to understand that they will be held responsible for their words. Unfortunately, people in Russia aren't used to this - or have gotten unused in the 15 years of anarchy.

Priceless words.

We've spent 15 years without censorship, without Criminal Code articles for “anti-Soviet agitation” and “distributing false information that defames the regime.”

Now we're getting back there.

And of course, there are those who like it.

The only thing that's not clear is why they were sitting online, waiting for this event, instead of appealing to the North Korean embassy, asking for political asylum.

8 comments · »»

Syria: Through the Bloggers' Cameras

Yazan Badran · 21:46

lingua → pt · fr · bn · ar · jp · es

Hovic and Abd are two friends from Aleppo in northern Syria. They are also among the finest photo bloggers on the blogsphere. Hovic and Abd's Blogs, named, Syria Looks and Syria Winks, are online show rooms of Syria.

Here is a journey through some of their most amazing collections.

The Dead Cities.
They both boast an outstanding collection of photos of these gorgeous little-known historical sites.

Whether it is Surkania's Byzantine ruins.

Surkania

Or Sinkhar's ruins.
Sinkhar

Crusader Castles.

They also have an impressive collection of all the amazing crusader castles in Syria.

Like Margat Castle.

Or the famous Krak des Chevaliers, which is considered one of the most important preserved medieval military architectures in the world.

Churches and Mosques.

An amazing collection from the many monasteries scattered in the mountainous deserts of Syria, like the impressive Mar Mousa Monastery [St. Moses the Ethiopian Monastery]

And of course the ornaments of the Omayyad Mosque.

Their collections not only cover history, but also nature, culture, and the urbanities of Syrian cities.

Going through their right hand tag-bar, is like flipping through an amazing journey through the streets, mountains, coasts and deserts of Syria.

4 comments · »»

Tanzania: How to shoot yourself in the foot

J. Nambiza Tungaraza · 18:59

How to Shoot Yourself in the Foot is the lesson Tanzania's parliament is delivering, at least for the time being, after its decision to suspend a Member of Parliament for Kigoma North, Zitto Kabwe, has turned into a mini victory for the opposition. Zitto, who keeps a blog, was suspended for allegedly lying to the parliament and humiliating the Energy and Minerals Minister, Nazir Karamagi.

Tabling a private motion, Zitto Kabwe, proposed a set up of a parliamentary committee to investigate a mining deal signed between Tanzania's government and Buzwagi mines at a time when the government is reviewing mining contracts, policies and laws to make them more favourable to Tanzanians. Most people are not entirely convinced that the suspension was fair and Zitto Kabwe is milking all he can from his four months suspension. Opposition party CHADEMA led peaceful demonstrations to Jangwani grounds where thousands waited for Zitto Kabwe's speech.

In the Swahili blogosphere, Maggid Mjengwa promptly tells us about Zitto's suspension immediately after local television stations broke the news, while Muhiddin Michuzi posts a photo of newspapers decorated with Zitto's story straight from a news stand.

Regardless of who is right and who is wrong in the whole saga, one comment at Chemi's blog probably sums up the majority of opinions in those posts:

Bunge limempandisha chati Zitto pasipo kujua na mwishowe najua watajilaumu sana. Wajue ya kwamba Zitto anafanya kazi… Kila alifanyalo Zitto hulenga pahala fulani najua mtego wake sasa umenasa. Serikali lazima ijifunze kitu kwa kila kinachotolewa maamuzi na si kukurupuka tu.

The parliament has elevated Zitto without knowing and when they realise in the end they will only blame themselves. They should know that Zitto is working. .. and he does everything with an aim and now he has got them. The government must learn something in each decision and stop rushing in making decisions.

THIRTY DAYS ULTIMUTUM TO THE GOVERMNENT

Elsewhere in the Swahili blogosphere, the news of workers' demonstrations organised by the TRADE Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) in Dar Es Salaam dominated. Recently public workers took to the streets to demand higher wages.

Charahani breaks the news:

Katika kuonyesha kweli wamekereka na ahadi wanazodai hazitekelezeki wafanyakazi mkoani Dar es Salaam, wamempa siku 30 Katibu Mkuu wa Shirikisho la Vyama vya Wafanyakazi nchini (Tucta), Nestory Ngulla, kufikisha malalamiko yao kwa Rais Jakaya Kikwete na kurejeshewa majibu, kuhusu nyongeza duni ya mishahara, ili kuepusha hatua nyingine watakazotumia kudai mishahara.

To show their frustrations over unfulfiled promises workers in Dar Es Salaam have given the secretary general of TRADE Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) Nestory Ngulla, thirty days to present their demands to President Jakaya Kikwete and come back with response in order to avoid other measures they may use to demand their rightful wages.

Ngurumo seems to be more than pleased with the demonstrations:

Haijapata kutokea. Terehe 11.Agosti.2007 iliandika historia mpya Tanzania. Wafanyakazi wameandamana na kuilaani serikali ya awamu ya nne kwa kuwadhalilisha, kuwasahau na kuwafanya watumwa katika nchi yao. Ujumbe wao ulifikishwa kwa maandamano, nyimbo, mabango na hotuba kali.

It has never happened before. A New history was written on 11th August 2007 in Tanzania. Workers held a peaceful demonstration to protest against the fourth phase government for making them live as slaves in their own country. Their message was carried home through songs, placards and fiery speeches.

Maggid Mjengwa posts a photo of the demonstration and briefly looks at the lessons learned:

Tuna jifunza mengi sana kutokana na hili.
Sasa nchi ndiyo inakimbia kwa kasi kubwa kuelekea katika capitalism ilhali watu hawaja andaliwa kukabiliana na machungu yake. Tofauti za kipato kama bango linavyosema kuhusu wabunge, ni common kabisa katika nchi za capitalists. Hata hivyo serikali zao zinakuwa karibu na wale wasio nacho kujaribu kupunguza makali ya maisha mfano kupitia affordable social security systems na hata monthly allowances for the unemployed.

Serikali ya JMK inaonyesha ukomavu kiasi fulani kwa kukubali watu waandamane na waseme yaliyo moyoni. … Kupitia maandamano kama haya matatizo yatajulikana, yatajadiliwa na baadhi yakatatuliwa. Tuwe viongozi bora tuwape watu uhuru wa kujieleza…

We are learning a lot from this.
Our country is running so fast towards capitalism while the people are not well prepared to deal with pangs of capitalism. Income inequality between common man and parliamentarians as one of the placards says is a common thing in capitalist countries. But their governments at least try to ease the pain through social security systems and even doles for the unemployed.

JMK's (President Kikwete's) government has shown maturity to some extent for allowing people to demonstrate publicly and to say what they feel… through a demonstration like this problems will be exposed, discussed and some will be solved. Let us be good leaders and give the people a right to express themselves…

Muhiddin Issa Michuzi also has some photos of the demonstrations.

0 comments · »»

India: Orkut and the death of a teenager

Kamla Bhatt · 17:03

lingua → hi · pt

The online Indian community is rattled by the recent death of 16-year old Adnan Patrawala of Mumbai. Apparently Adnan was lured by his friends on Orkut and was later found murdered. Is Orkut responsible for the murder of this young teenager? Orkut has millions of users in India. Police investigations reveal that the plot to kill Adnan was planned on Orkut and mainstream media is pointing fingers at Orkut and holding the social site somehow responsible for this unfortunate murder of Adnan.

Tapan Shah in his post Orkut and Media, points out that technology cannot be held responsible for the death of Adnan. He writes:

Other media, it seems fails to accept Internet as a legitimate media. I see this mentality time and again displayed by the mainstream media (television and newspapers -vernacular as well as english both) to either raise an issue or just blame the technology, whenever something wrong happens in the society?…For god sake, Internet is just a medium, it is no killer.”

Vivek of The Red Pencil writes:

This incident sure to cause a reverberation in the online community. As teachers and educators we have a responsibility to help protect our students again such act. The correct response would be a blanket ban on sites like Orkut and Facebook in schools, I can see this as a very likely knee-jerk response to this event.

A better approach would be continuing education about the possible consequences of undiscretionary online behaviour, much like the talk students get (or should get) today about sex education. Students have to be told, with examples like this unfortunate incident involving Adnan, that dangers exist and like one would not share personal information with a stranger or accept food from someone you didn’t know similar behaviours were inappropriate even when the other were a virtual entity at a computer screen miles from home.

Vani of A Whimsical Mind wonders about the unfortunate murder of Adnan and writes:

What is it that lures a youngster to meet strangers over the internet ? its possibly the fast life that they love to lead or probably the sudden adrenalin rush on meeting strangers ? Well whom do we blame ? is it the advanced technology we blame , easy money ? , the website for no regulations or is it the parents who have no clue what their children are upto.

3 comments · »»

Blogging for democracy around the world

Hamid Tehrani · 16:00

lingua → pt · fr · zht · zhs · es

Antony Loewenstein is a Sydney-based freelance journalist, author and blogger. He is currently writing a book on “Democracy and Blogging” and recently traveled to Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and China to meet with bloggers.

Q: Would you introduce yourself and your new book project?

As a journalist and author in Australia, I have long been interested in the ways in which blogging challenges the long-held arrogance of the mainstream media. Why should self-described “experts” be any more respected than average citizens? Over the years, I've seen far too many journalistic insiders who see their role as little more than promoting the current power elite, rather than doing their job, which is challenging the status-quo. Blogs can achieve this.

My last book was about Israel and Palestine, My Israel Question, and I became fascinated in voices in various nations around the world, often in countries where state-media has traditionally been the only authority. Frankly, writing about Israel/Palestine is also physically and emotionally draining - hate mail and death threats are not uncommon - and the chance to embrace a different subject appealed greatly.

So, my new book project (due for release in late 2008) is about the internet in repressive regimes, the ways in which the web has changed debate around the world, how Western multinationals are now assisting governments in filtering the net and how Western stereotypes about the non-Western world are finally being challenged. I've recently travelled to Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and China and spoken to various writers, bloggers, online trouble-makers, politicians and dissidents.

The most demonised nation on the planet

Gun mosaic Q: You have been in Iran and you talked with bloggers. Did you learn something that you did not know before? Any surprises?

Iran is probably the most demonised nation on the planet at the moment. Before I arrived, I expected a scared population, people afraid to express their true opinions. Although I discovered this in part, I also sensed speaking to bloggers that many were actively fighting against the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his increasingly unhinged social policies. Of course, such individuals may only be a vocal minority, but much of the Western media rarely even portrays Iranians as more than religious fundamentalists.

I met many bloggers who were Westernised, urbane, sophisticated, atheist, internet junkies, drinkers, hip-hoppers, smokers and liberal. Again, many Iranians are the complete opposite of these attributes - indeed, I was told that the mullahs are now actively grooming conservative bloggers in Qom to serve their agenda - but Iranian society was far more complex than I perhaps expected.

Internet filtering is rampant in Iran and getting worse ( my Guardian article expands on this issue.) Most bloggers I met saw these developments as challenges, but when, for example, numerous keywords are routinely blocked - from ‘teen' to ‘cock', ‘Asian' to ‘woman' - it's clear that the internet is challenging authoritarian rule like no other technology in history.

An essential source of expression

Q: How do you evaluate the Iranian blogosphere's influence in society?

It's very hard to say. There is no question that internet usage in Iran is massive and there are an estimated one million Iranian blogs in existence, but do they really affect society? I believe that they do. I saw some of the major papers talking about blog posts, even quoting from them (including the most conservative of publications.) The mullahs have recognised that blogging isn't just a fad, it's here to stay. For some Iranian women I met, it was their only way to express dissatisfaction with the government's crackdown on their freedoms, including dress-code, public behaviour etc.

Blogs aren't going to start a revolution, but they've already lit a powerful fire within the country. For a young population desperate to engage with the world, and a state-media that blames the US, Israel and Jews for every conceivable problem, blogs will continue to be an essential source of expression.

Q: You have been in Saudi Arabia, too. Would you tell me about their blogsphere? Is there any basis for comparaison between the Saudi blogosphere and the Iranian one?

In many ways, Saudi Arabia makes Iran seem very liberal. The Kingdom is a far more conservative place. Women can't drive, work in shops, or drive. As a Westerner, it was virtually impossible for me to speak to Saudi women. But when it comes to the internet, the Saudis don't imprison bloggers and censor lightly compared to the Islamic republic ( my Guardian article expands on these points further.)

I met a number of Saudi bloggers, including Saudi Jeans, who told me about the frustration of seeing their society moving so slowly towards political reform. The Iranian blogging scene is far more advanced than Saudi Arabia, and is far more integrated into society (though not in government bureaucracy, where the wheels move very slowly, indeed.)

Democracy is under threat

Q: Can democray be served by blogs?

Democracy is unquestionably under threat across the world, in both the Western and non-Western world. In countries like Britain, the US and Australia, governments went to war in Iraq against the will of the people, continue to maintain troops there against the wishes of the people and would probably fight another war - perhaps against Iran in the next years - against the desires of the population. This isn't democracy; it's deluded authoritarianism dressed up as tough foreign policy.

Blogs have certainly democratised the political process, and allowed “average” citizens the chance to engage. In my country, Australia, the internet is being actively used by all major political parties in the run-up to the forthcoming federal election.

In countries like Iran, China and Egypt, the internet is threatening the rule of undemocratic governments, and bloggers are often paying a very high price for simply challenging, say, police brutality. Blogs can't bring democracy on their own, but they can certainly allow a far greater number of people into the process. This is only a bad thing for those not wanting to give up the levers of power.

Q: Do you have any ideas for how Global Voices could become more efficient in creating a bridge between different communities?

Global Voices is already doing a wonderful job in revealing the world. To read about bloggers in countries like Palestine, Fiji and Iraq, to name just a few, makes us all more understanding people. I'd love GV to further assist citizens in poor countries to get access to the web and have a voice. This is the duty of all of us who are privileged enough to use technology every day.

Photo by: Antony Lowenstein, of the wall of the US Embassy in Tehran.

11 comments · »»

Taiwan: The Gentrification of Shih-Da night market

Leonard Chien · 10:00

Shih-Da night market is one of the most famous night markets in Taipei. (”Shih-Da”(師大) is the abbreviation of National Taiwan Normal University(國立台灣師範大學) in Chinese. The night market is right next to the university.) Its own exotic character is quite different from other night markets. This is because, for decades, many international students study Chinese and live in the neighborhood of the National Taiwan Normal University. They bring their home culture and combine them with local characteristics. Liang-lou Han, a famous Taiwanese writer, who started her business recently. Nearby the Shih-Da night market, she opened a cafe which named South Village[zh]. She wrote an article to express her expectation in the business.

In this article, Walking in the South Village[zh], Liang-lou Han says,

希望透過南村落未來的努力，大商圈可以換掉這個過份商業化的名字，而以南村South Village的面貌問世。畢竟對所有在這一帶居住、活動、玩耍的人而言，位居台北市南區的這塊充滿人文氣息與波希米亞藝術風味的地方已經越來越有紐約東村East Village的味道了。

The name of this place, Shi-Da night market, is too commercial, and I wish it could be replaced by “South Village”. After all, for the people who live, exercise, and play here, this place is like the Easy Village of New York, filled with humanity and Bohemian flavor.

People who agree with Han, like Mei-Chun, mentions[zh],

可能因為我非生長在台北，對台北的舊城市、舊街道的感覺，就像是對其他國家有歷史風情的街道一樣陌生，但又帶有一點想要窺視的心情，所以也就生起興趣來，但這個興味也僅止於無聊沒事做的份上，缺乏認同感。而G的反應更直接：那不就是師大夜市嗎！有什麼特別？。不過基於對文化的熱情，我還是很想反駁，因為有這些人用這些方法保留或喚起人們對城市韻味的記憶。

Maybe because I do not grow up in Taipei, therefore, for me, the old Taipei city and streets are just as strange as any other foreign cities. I develop an interest in this city and want to take a peek, but not because the identification. I just have nothing to do. But G says more directly: ‘It's just Shih-Da night market, nothing special!!' Based on the passion to the culture, I still want to controvert his argument. We really need these people to do something to protect or remind us the memory of the city.

But for Wreacca[zh], who has lived in this area for more than ten years, it is another story. He points out,

師大夜市對我來說就是師大夜市，什麼南村，埽死威裡舉，老子英文不好啦，真是一群任性的文藝中年。師大商圈這名字的確是有些商業的味道，但改名為南村落難道不是另一種行銷包裝？我承認，「南村落」看起來的確比較多了那一丁點想像。喔、不行，我快吐了，尤其是看到這篇描寫師大夜市（韓小姐稱之為南村落）的文章，人與人之間對同一件事物的認知落差真的可以大到很誇張。

For me, the Shih-Da night market is Shih-Da night market. My English is so poor and I don't understand what South Village means. These middle-aged people are dilettantism and capricious. Even the name of Shih-Da night market is commercial, how about “South Village”?! It is just another marketing strategy!! I admit that people may have a little more imagination to “South Village,” but it still sounds so weird especially after reading the article written by Han. People really have very different interpretations and understaning towards the same object.

Kenshin121 starts his argument with East Village in New York. In his opinion[zh],

簡而言之，沒有Greenwich Village，沒有Soho，沒有劇場(BlueMan Group演出的Astor Place Theatre就在East Village附近)，沒有日本蛋糕、sushi、拉麵、章魚燒、居酒屋跟燒肉店，沒有St. Mark's 書店，沒有才情洋溢的藝術家與多元文化在東村附近彙集相遇，那也不過就是貴學校的hip學生與教授們居住的地方。

In short, without Greenwich Village, Soho, Astor Place Theater, Japanese Cake, Sushi, Japanese Gourmet, St. Mark's Bookstore, artists, and multi-culture, the East Village is only a living area for the brownstone students and professors.

這跟師大夜市的窮學生們(不論台灣or外國學生)隨遇而安的求學生活與安慰外國小朋友的食物文化交流一點都不像好嗎? 殊不知政大書城是以折扣大聞名，但是東村的St. Mark's書店是以原價怪書多聞名?

The life of East Village is SO quite different to that in the Shih-Da night market. It is the place where poor students (local and international included) do culture exchange and enjoy their school lives. While bookstores in the night market are known for discount books, St. Mark's Bookstore in East Village is full of unusual books with no discounts at all.

From marketing perspective, macdog[zh] has some tips of cultural marketing. He says,

1. 找人圍事是必要的。不單是募款的需求，那頂多募個一兩次就乾了，這裡推動的是善意的「文化」延伸，文人雅士莫不以參與這個劃地盤的行動為榮。
2. 商業拉抬是必要的。透過共享商業繁榮的吸子，納入附近商家的參與，既然在同一條船上，堆動同一個理念就合理化了。
3. 給人上台是必要的。辦活動就是要搞熱場子，不要自己一個人玩完，場子搭了，就是要給其他大腕也有上台表演，說唱個兩句的機會，互相捧個面子人場。
4. 現成便宜是必要的。用既有的資源和發展，重新制定遊戲規。離了現成的都會區另創一片天是事倍功半，所以選了師大夜市來正名是聰明的。

1. Help from others is necessary. People are needed not just for fund-raising (because what you can get is limited). If you are promoting and extending the culture, scholars will be more than willing to participate.
2. Business operation is necessary. When nearby shops are all involved, you will gain legitimacy to promote a idea.
3. Giving credits to others is necessary. All events need participants. Invite every “influential person” to get on the stage and say a few words. It's beneficial to both sides.
4. Using existing resources is necessary. Redefine the rules with materials available now. If you leave urban area, much more efforts would be needed to achieve the same goal. Renaming Shih-Da night market is a smart choice.

To ordinary people who are not able to open a shop or marketing, however, Shi-Da has long been a good place for foods. What Wraecca[zh] and we care the most is:

服飾店攻佔小吃攤的速度是否越來越迅速了。

There are more clothes shops but fewer food vendors now.

originally written by swpave in Chinese

1 comment · »»

Kuwait: Jailed Blogger Released

Amira Al Hussaini · 03:13

lingua → pt

Following a local and regional outcry, jailed Kuwaiti blogger Bashar Al-Sayegh was released in Kuwait earlier today. While some bloggers celebrated the release, others warned that it could be a signal of more restrictions which could curtail freedom of speech in Kuwait. Another blogger expresses his disgust with men in uniform who break the law and posts videos of policemen physically assaulting Asian workers in the oil-rich country.

Al-Sayegh was arrested following a comment made by an anonymous commentator, insulting the Kuwaiti head of state Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah on an online forum (Ar) he operates.

Jassim Al-Qames, who is Al Sayegh's colleague and a photographer in newspaper, Al Jarida, was also detained with Al-Sayegh for taking pictures of his arrest. He was later released but alleges to having been roughed up by the arresting officers.

News of Al-Sayegh's release and the arrest of the person who originally made the comments spread on blogs as soon as the blogger was set free.

Kuwaiti online newsite Al Aan carried the above picture, which shows supporters carrying Al-Sayegh on their shoulders.

Writing on his forum, Al-Sayegh pledges to continue blogging (Ar):

لا أعلم من أين ابدأ ..
شكرا؟؟ دين في رقبتي؟

لا أعلم .. موقفكم ..
لا توجد كلمة .. او مجموعة حروف ..
تعبر عن مشاعري تجاهكم ..

لن أنسى موقفكم .. فهذا دين في رقبتي ..
ولن استطيع رد الدين سوى بالاستمرار ..
استمرار موقع الأمة ومنتدى الأمة ..
والاستمرار في نهجنا الذي بدأناه معا ..

شكرا لجميع المدونات والمواقع الالكترونية ..
والصحف اليومية التي تبنت القضية ..
شكرا لجمعيات النفع العام ..

I don't know where to start..
Thank you?? I am in debt to you forever?

I don't know.. but your stance..
There is no word .. or a group of letters..
Which can express my feelings towards you all..

I will never forget your stance besides me..I am indebted to you forever..
And I will never be able to repay this debt except by continuing..
Continuing with Al Ommah site and forum..
And continuing with the steps we took together..

Thanks to all the blogs and online sites..
And the daily newspapers which supported me..
Thanks to all the civil societies..

Kuwaiti blogger Jandeef isn't impressed with the detention and argues that Kuwaiti police may not always respect the laws and constitution when it comes to handling people. He posts the following two videos which clearly show policemen in uniform, physically assaulting Asian workers in Kuwait.

Blurted by The Aggressor suggests that Al Sayegh's arrest was meant to send a message to the blogging community in Kuwait.

(T)his may just as equally be a message from the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry to the Kuwaiti blogging community, informing us that the Ministry is keeping us in check, and is monitoring our comments and activities, both online and-quite possible-offline as well. If that's the case, then shouldn't they be able to differentiate between an administrator and an anonymous commenter? Seriously….c'mon, seriously!?

Kiwi Nomad too shares similar feelings and notes:

Hopefully the message is getting through that the State (In)Security Police need to toe the line and uphold the laws of the State… For Bashar and Jassem's sakes I hope the publicity of their experiences produces reform. It is worth noting that this is only one of many unpublicised cases. Bravo guys for standing up and not being intimated.

The Ultimate, however, takes another direction and dedicates a poem to Al Sayegh.

The Grim Reaper is waiting
Scythe in hand
While the country is celebrating
Bashar is free

Who’s next
To pay the debts!
When will it be my turn!
When will it be yours!

It’s all just a matter of time
And time has mercy on no one

Will this nightmare ever
Be over
I wonder

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August 22nd, 2007