After four years in prison, four months of which were in solitary confinement, Mohammed al-Ajami has been released in Qatar. This unexpected good news comes as a surprise, as the poet was slated to serve a 15-year term.
Al-Ajami was charged with “inciting to overthrow the ruling system” and “criticizing the Emir” over the content of two poems expressing sympathy for Arab Spring protests which he read at a private gathering in his apartment in Cairo, Egypt. When a video of the private recital surfaced online, al-Ajami was summoned by Qatari state security officials and charged in a trial criticized by multiple international organizations as deeply flawed.
Aj-Ajami is reunited with friends and family after his March 15 release (English PEN.)
It is still unclear as to whether the poet’s release comes with any sort of probation or if it is unconditional. What is certain is that Mohammed al-Ajami has been seen on video since his release and is confirmed to have peacefully returned to his family.
This is welcome news for the poet whose work has centered around themes of freedom, exemplified in 2011’s Tunisian Jasmine:
This question that keeps you up at night—
its answer won’t be found
on any of the official channels…
Why, why do these regimes
import everything from the West—
everything but the rule of law, that is,
and everything but freedom?
The Voice Project wishes to make it clear that any potential restrictions still placed on this poet are altogether unacceptable, and that al-Ajami’s continued freedom from harassment over his work is crucial to meeting the unconditional release which we have called for.
The small Gulf nation of Qatar has gained much attention after being controversially chosen to host the 2022 World Cup, and has been the target of numerous protests over its human rights abuses, both in the realms of freedom of expression and labor rights.
The Voice Project celebrates al-Ajami being granted the freedom which he dedicates his life’s work to writing about. We will continue to monitor Mohammed al-Ajami’s situation and provide updates as they develop.