Ordeal continues for journalists detained in Egypt

January 10, 2014

Reporters Without Borders condemns yesterday’s announcement by the Egyptian authorities that they are extending the provisional detention of three Al-Jazeera journalists for another 15 days.

Arrested on 29 December, the three journalists are Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Adel Fahmy, who has Canadian and Egyptian dual nationality, Australian reporter Peter Greste, and an Egyptian producer who does not want his name published.

A fourth Al-Jazeera journalist who was arrested at the same time as the other three, Egyptian cameraman Mohamed Fawzi, was released on 31 December.

The three detained journalists are accused of broadcasting reports that were “damaging to national security” and of being in possession of Muslim Brotherhood “publications.”

A court is meanwhile due to issue a verdict on 2 February in the case of Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr cameraman Mohamed Badr, who was arrested while covering a demonstration on 15 July and has been held ever since. He is facing a possible 15-year jail sentence.

Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all the journalists detained arbitrarily in Egypt in connection with their journalistic activities.

For more information contact:
Reporters without Borders
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Website: www.rsf.org