August 10, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — A Sudanese female journalist who has recently stirred a row following charges of “indecent” clothing, has been placed on a travel ban list by authorities.

Lubna Hussein, a former journalist and U.N. press officer, talks to the media outside the court after her trial in Sudan’s capital Khartoum August 4, 2009 (Reuters)

Lubna Ahmed Hussein told Sudan Tribune by phone from Khartoum that she was notified of the ban as she was at the airport to on Monday night board a Lebanon-bound plane in response to an invitation by Middle East Broadcasting Channel (MBC).

Last week a Sudanese court adjourned Hussein’s case to request an opinion from the foreign ministry on whether she enjoys immunity as UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) employee despite resigning from that post prior to the trial.

The Sudanese journalist arrested at a restaurant with other girls, faces 40 lashes and a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds (100 dollars) if found guilty.

Hussein said that the airport security officers took her passport and pulled her aside informing her that she is on a list of individuals not allowed to leave the country.

The Sudanese journalist was given no explanation and her request for a written notification of the travel ban was turned down.

Her case has drawn intensive international attention and embarrassment to Khartoum as she publicly challenged the Sudanese authorities to carry out the flogging saying it is a degradation to women in her country.

Hussein said she wants the penal code containing the “indecency” clothing provisions repealed.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy vowed in a public letter he wrote in response to a query from the leader of the French Communist Party, Marie-George Buffet, to support Hussein’s case, praising her courage.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also expressed “concern” over Hussein’s case.

Sudanese officials have criticized the media coverage of the case accusing unspecified parties of using it for political reasons.

(ST)