Qatari poet Mohammed Ibn al-Dheeb has been pardoned by the emir after spending nearly five years in prison, according to reports. Al-Dheeb, whose real name is Mohammed al-Ajami, was arrested in 2011 for insulting the Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and allegedly attempting to incite an overthrow of the regime.
He was sentenced to life in prison in a secret trial, however this was reportedly reduced to 15 years in 2013. His trial and imprisonment was highly controversial, with human rights organizations accusing Qatar of violating the right to free expression.
Sources differ on the exact reason he was imprisoned, with some suggesting he had recited an anti-regime poem to friends, while others reported that his poem about the Tunisian revolution was overly-supportive of pro-democracy movements.
Al-Dheeb’s lawyer has reportedly been unable to confirm his release, which was thought to have been organized after the intercession of the leader of the poet’s tribe.
#خروج_محمد_بن_الذيب
— بندر بن خالد (@bks2828) March 15, 2016
والله انها من أجمل الاخبار ..
لا تربطني فيه اي علاقه .. ولكن خبر مفرح للجميع
وخارج من الشر يارب
This is some of the best news. Even though I have no connection to him this is happy news for everyone as he furthers himself from evil.
