Egypt's Public Prosecution has concluded that Matsada2sh, a fact-checking platform, operated as a media platform affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. According to investigations, the platform was managed by Brotherhood members abroad and operated inside Egypt by several members, including one registered with the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate. The prosecution authorized the arrest and search of those involved, resulting in the detention of six people.
The investigations, conducted by the National Security Sector, revealed that fugitive Muslim Brotherhood leaders abroad had instructed members to establish social media pages and electronic platforms to spread false news and create public discontent. The prosecution identified Matsada2sh as one of these platforms, which aimed to question the performance of state institutions and officials, and create public discontent in preparation for protests and gatherings.
One of the defendants admitted during questioning that he and the other detained defendants belonged to the Brotherhood's media committee and worked for Matsada2sh, which was overseen by a fugitive Brotherhood member abroad. He revealed that they held organizational meetings with the fugitive through various communication applications and were briefed on the group's objectives and instructed to carry out its media strategy.
The defendant admitted that the strategy involved publishing and broadcasting "rumours and false reports" concerning state institutions and officials, highlighting shortcomings while ignoring other aspects of their performance. He also admitted that he and other members working for the platform received monthly payments in foreign currencies through bank transfers from a company owned by a fugitive Brotherhood member in a foreign country.
An examination of the defendant's phone found closed groups on an encrypted application containing the defendant, the other detained defendants, and the fugitive member, as well as emails sent by the fugitive to the defendants. The prosecution also found posts supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and calling for the overthrow of the country's system of government on the defendant's social media account.
The other defendants denied membership in the Brotherhood, except for one who said he had previously belonged to the group but had left it before joining Matsada2sh. They all acknowledged working for the platform, which they said was managed from outside Egypt, and described the roles they performed there. They also acknowledged receiving periodic payments in US dollars.
The prosecution ordered the six defendants to be held in pretrial detention pending further investigations. The defendants' lawyers requested to attend the investigations, and the suspects were questioned in their presence. The journalist among them was also questioned in the presence of a member of the Journalists Syndicate.
Key points
- Egypt's Public Prosecution finds Matsada2sh operated as a Muslim Brotherhood media platform.
- The platform aimed to spread false news and create public discontent.
- Six people were detained in connection with the platform's activities.
