The Egyptian journalists' union has gone into permanent session to monitor the case of six reporters from the fact-checking platform "Matasdq" who were detained on October 6. The union is demanding their immediate release under any guarantee. The six journalists, including a union representative and five others, were arrested in different governorates on suspicion of belonging to a banned group and publishing false news.
According to the public prosecutor's office, the journalists face charges of joining a terrorist group and financing it, as well as spreading false news that could disrupt public order. The journalists reportedly confessed to working for "Matasdq", which the prosecution described as a media arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group banned in Egypt. They also allegedly received monthly funding in foreign currency through bank transfers.
The prosecution stated that the journalists were tasked with spreading rumors and false news about state institutions and officials. Technical examinations of their accounts allegedly revealed that they published content supporting the banned group and calling for the overthrow of the government. However, the journalists denied some of the charges, with one claiming to have previously belonged to the group but since left.
The journalists' union has lodged a complaint with the public prosecutor's office alleging that the detained reporters were subjected to physical abuse during detention and forced to make statements or recordings that were not factual. The union also expressed concern about the young age and limited experience of some of the detained journalists.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which is defending the journalists, stated that the prosecution had ordered a medical examination of one of the reporters to verify allegations of torture. The organization's director, Labna Darwish, said that the testimonies submitted by the journalists represented formal complaints that required independent investigation.
The interior ministry has denied allegations of torture or ill-treatment of the journalists, stating that the detainees' claims were attempts to disavow the charges against them. A former assistant interior minister, Amjad Shafik, said that the investigations and medical examinations would determine the validity of the allegations.
The case has sparked concerns about press freedom in Egypt, with human rights groups and international organizations criticizing the use of anti-terrorism laws against journalists and activists. The Egyptian government has denied these allegations, stating that its actions are aimed at combating terrorism and ensuring national security.
Key points
- The Egyptian journalists' union has demanded the immediate release of six reporters detained on terrorism-related charges.
- The journalists face charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.
- Human rights groups have raised concerns about press freedom in Egypt and the use of anti-terrorism laws against journalists.
