The Egyptian public prosecutor's office continued its investigations into six journalists from the "Metsadekesh" platform on Monday. The journalists have been in pre-trial detention for 15 days, following a decision by the public prosecutor's office. The investigations focused on the platform's editorial policy and the journalists' professional backgrounds. The journalists' lawyers reported that the questions asked were similar to those in the first round of investigations two days prior.
The six journalists were initially detained by security forces, who they claim subjected them to torture and forced them to record false confessions. In response, the Egyptian journalists' union announced that it would file a complaint with the public prosecutor's office to investigate the allegations of torture. The union also formed a committee to follow up on the case and provide legal support to the journalists. They requested the release of the journalists on bail or other guarantees.
The public prosecutor's office had previously ordered a medical examination of one of the journalists to determine the extent of any injuries sustained during detention. However, the examination has not yet taken place. A lawyer reported that the area around the medical facility had increased security presence, suggesting that the examination may occur soon. Another lawyer noted that delays in the examination could lead to the loss of evidence of torture.
The Egyptian Ministry of Interior denied allegations of torture or ill-treatment of the journalists. They described the claims as unsubstantiated and attributed them to the journalists' attempts to disavow the charges against them. The Ministry also claimed that the allegations were promoted by some media outlets linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The journalists' union emphasized its commitment to defending all journalists, regardless of their membership status. They cited Article 5 of the union's law, which obliges journalists to practice their profession in accordance with the law. The union has intervened in several cases involving journalists and has provided support to those facing prosecution.
The journalists in question had previously faced similar challenges. Three of them were detained for two days in a previous incident, but were released after the union intervened. The journalists have provided evidence of their employment and have received payment through official channels, demonstrating their commitment to Egyptian law.
The case has sparked concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Egypt. The journalists' union has called for the release of the detained journalists and an investigation into the allegations of torture. The incident highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Egypt and the importance of a free and independent press.
Key points
- The Egyptian journalists' union has filed a complaint with the public prosecutor's office to investigate allegations of torture.
- The journalists have been in pre-trial detention for 15 days.
- The Egyptian Ministry of Interior has denied allegations of torture or ill-treatment.
