Gulf | Bahrain
Bahrain blocks websites for violating reporting ban
Bahrain has blocked several websites for violating a reporting ban in the case of a government adviser who was deported after alleging election irregularities.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 November 1, 2006
Manama: Bahrain has blocked several websites for violating a reporting ban in the case of a government adviser who was deported after alleging election irregularities.
Authorities imposed a ban on publishing information about the case of the adviser, British citizen Salah Al Bander, who was sacked and deported to Britain in September for what a minister said was an attempt to foment civil strife in the country.
The case, known as Bandergate, initially made headlines in the country which is due to hold parliamentary and municipal elections on November 25. Officials say the reporting ban was imposed to ensure an impartial investigation.
"The information ministry has decided to close a number of Bahraini and foreign websites ... These sites transgressed a legal decision prohibiting the discussion of the case of the accused Salah Al Bander," Hassan Oun, director of press and publications at the ministry, said in a statement.
"The information ministry will refer the owners of these sites to the judges for not cooperating and complying with the law," said the statement.
Among the blocked websites was popular Bahraini blog www.mahmood.tv which is often a forum for political debate and government criticism. It re-opened under www.alyousif.tv, with a photograph of site owner Mahmood Al Yousuf wearing a gag.
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