Publisher firebombed
The London home of Martin Rynja, the owner of Gibson Square, the UK publisher of The Jewel of Medina was firebombed yesterday, hours after police had warned the man that he could be a target for fanatics.
The book was due to be published by Random House back in August but, after American academic, Denise Spellberg decided to take offence on bahalf of Muslims, everywhere, Random House pulled the novel.
In early September, UK based independent publisher Gibson Square stepped in and announced plans to publish the book in October and called for “open access to literary works, regardless of fear”.
On Friday, police warned Rynja that he could be a target for fanatics and told him to leave his property – which doubles as the headquarters of his publishing company. Hours later, a petrol bomb was thrown through the door of the house.
Three men have been arrested on terrorism charges.
The Jewel of Medina is due to be published on 30th October and is available for pre-order from Amazon.
2 comments Sunday 28 Sep 2008 | Paul | UK
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