Egyptian prosecutors have released a statement regarding their investigations into six journalists from the "Metsedakesh" platform. The journalists were arrested and detained for five days before being brought before the prosecutors. According to the prosecutors, one of the journalists confessed to joining a media committee affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The committee's alleged goal was to spread false news and rumors about state institutions.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represents the journalists, has responded to the prosecutors' statement. They argue that the statement distorted the facts and added a criminal tone to the journalists' actions. The initiative also pointed out that the prosecutors' statement ignored the fact that the journalists were not allowed to communicate with their families or lawyers for five days. The journalists were detained in secret locations, and their families and lawyers filed 18 complaints with the prosecutors during that time.
The journalists were investigated on suspicion of spreading false news and rumors. The prosecutors' statement claimed that the journalists received monthly funding from a company owned by a Muslim Brotherhood member who had fled the country. The funding was allegedly transferred through bank transfers. The prosecutors also found messages on one of the journalists' phones that linked him to the Muslim Brotherhood member.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has demanded the release of the journalists and the dropping of charges against them. The initiative's director, Hossam El Hamalawy, stated that the prosecutors were using the journalists' legitimate work as evidence against them. El Hamalawy also pointed out that the journalists had been transparent about their funding and had registered with the Egyptian banks to receive their salaries.
The journalists were arrested after they published a series of investigations into a plane that was seized in Zambia. The plane was allegedly carrying cash and gold, and there were claims that it was linked to Egyptian military personnel. The journalists had previously been investigated in 2023, but no charges were brought against them. The current investigation has led to the detention of six journalists.
The prosecutors have ordered the journalists to be held in pre-trial detention while the investigation continues. The journalists have claimed that they were subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in detention. However, a medical examination found no visible injuries. The journalists have also claimed that they were forced to record false confessions under threat of violence.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights has expressed concern about the prosecutors' statement and its implications for press freedom in Egypt. The initiative argues that the statement sets a dangerous precedent for the prosecution of journalists and the restriction of their work. The case has sparked concerns about the Egyptian government's increasing crackdown on press freedom and civil liberties.
Key points
- The Egyptian prosecutors have charged six journalists with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
- The journalists were detained for five days before being brought before the prosecutors.
- The case has sparked concerns about press freedom and civil liberties in Egypt.
