Lighter sentences for Algerian journalists

An Algiers appeals court has reduced the sentences handed down to Ali Fodil, editor of the daily paper Ech-Chourouk, and one of his journalists, Naïla Berrahal. They had been sued for libel by the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and originally received 12-month jail terms plus heavy fines. The appeal court gave them suspended prison sentences of six months and cut the fines to 50,000 dinars (£350). The court also rejected the prosecutor's request for their newspaper to be suspended for a year. (Via IFEX)