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Egypt arrests another journalist

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alteredimages · 09/11/2015 17:59

On Thursday, when David Cameron and Sisi were holding their joint press conference, Military Intelligence summoned investigative journalist Hossam Bahgat for questioning.

He went to Military Intelligence on Sunday at 9am and this morning his case was transferred to the Military Prosecution who have ordered his detention for four days on two charges related to the dissemination of false news. This detention may be renewed indefinitely. His current whereabouts are unknown. Another journalist, Mahmoud Abou Zeid, has been in pre-trial detention for two years.

Hossam Bahgat currently writes for news site Mada Masr and has been the only journalist to cover several important stories, including details of how Mubarak embezzled state funds which implicated a serving prime minister and information about an alleged recent coup attempt from within the armed forces.

Amnesty International has condemned Bahgat's arrest.

Bahgat's position is much more dangerous than Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed's was because he has will be tried by a military court.

Guardian article here, Mada Masr stories here and here.

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alteredimages · 09/11/2015 18:11

Just to add, this comes a week after Sisi told the nation in an address that this is an era of "unprecedented media freedom" in Egypt and two days after telling the BBC's Lyse Doucet that "no one is oppressed in Egypt."

State TV news anchor Azza al Hanawy and her crew have also been suspended today for "lack of neutrality" after she pointed out increasing levels of corruption in local government and said that Sisi bears responsibility for his role in appointing corrupt officials. Story here.

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alteredimages · 10/11/2015 12:17

I seem to have this thread all to myself, but just for thoroughness, Hossam Bahgat has now been released. Not clear if the charges brought have been dropped.

Really good to see that Lib Dem MP Tom Brake tweeted about this. I don't believe that Bahgat would have been released without the public pressure from such a wide variety of organisations and individuals.