Egypt: Journalist arrested while covering the al-Moneeb protests

On September 9, security forces arrested journalist Islam Al-Kalhi while he was covering the al-Moneeb protests sparked by the killing of a young man by the police. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges for his immediate release and calls on the authorities to guarantee journalists' rights when covering the demonstrations.

Journalist Islam Al-Kalhi - Credits: Islam Al-Kahli

The Supreme State Security Prosecutor in Egypt ordered the detention of Al-Kahli, a journalist for Darb media, for 15 days allegedly for for "publishing fake news."

The authorities did not clarify the nature of the "fake news" that the journalist is accused of publishing. According to media reports, Al-Kahli was detained while conducting field interviews and did not publish any news about the alleged killing of a young man by the police.

Case 855

Media reports add that Islam Al-Kahli's detention now forms part of the recently opened Case no. 855. This case concerns charges of "belonging to a terrorist group, publishing false news and misusing social media," which is being used by the Egyptian authorities to arrest journalists, lawyers and human rights activists arbitrarily. 

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: "We condemn the on-going state-led campaign in Egypt against journalists and media freedom. We call on the authorities to immediately release Islam Al-Kalhi and all the arrested journalists in jail for doing their job."

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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