Yemeni writers and journalists on Saturday condemned as "intellectual terrorism" an Islamist campaign against a journalist who is being tried on blasphemy charges.
"It is difficult for writers and journalists to carry on with their work in this atmosphere of intellectual terrorism," they said in a petition.
In contrast, a group of 24 Islamic scholars on Friday slammed the information minister for intervening to release the detained journalist, Samir Yusufi, editor-in-chief of Al-Jumhuriya al-Thaqafiya, which is published by the ministry.
He was charged on July 8th for publishing excerpts from a novel by Yemeni writer Mohammad Abdel Wali. In the book, a character mourns the death of his young wife accusing God of being unjust.
Yusufi was released on bail Wednesday, after Information Minister Abdel Rahman al-Akwaa intervened.
Sheikh Abdel Majid Zendani, a key figure in Yemen's leading Islamist opposition party, Al-Islah, was among the scholars who called for "those responsible for the instigation to atheism" to be charged and tried.
A Sanaa court is to resume hearings into the alleged blasphemy case on Sunday - SANAA (AFP)
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