Protest in support of arrested singer [Archives:2008/1144/Front Page]

Imad Abdullah
TAIZ, April 6 – Over two thousand people demonstrated in front of Taiz political security office on Sunday morning in protest against the arrest of popular singer Fahd Al-Qarni, who is known for his satiric songs critical of the government.

Citizens were beaten and journalists were harassed while trying to cover the event. “The security confiscated my camera, my mobile phone and insulted me while preventing me from covering the event,” said Yemen Times journalist Imad Abdullah.

Al-Qarni and two of his colleagues were arrested on Saturday by a group of political security members. During the demonstration the protestors cried out condemning the attacks on freedom of expression around the republic. Chief of Yemeni Lawyers Syndicate Abdullah Noman called on soldiers to 'wake up' and not be part of the oppressive regime because they share the same interests in the welfare of Yemen with the majority of the people.

“If you open fire on us, we will open our chests to receive your bullets ur lives are only a price to pay for freedom,” he said at the protest.

Al-Islah opposition party condemned the arrest of Al-Qarni and issued a press statement calling on the public to come to his support in defence of freedom of expression. Al-Qarni creates audiocassettes in which he records songs describing the situation and authority in Yemen using dark satire. The cassettes are sold on streets and some shops, although many have been confiscated.
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