Reversing decision, Egypt continues to hold Al Jazeera journalist
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the decision by Egypt’s judicial authorities to continuing holding Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein after previously deciding five days ago to release him conditionally, and calls for the withdrawal of all charges against him.
Despite being held without trial for more than two and a half years, and despite his family’s expectation that he would be freed at any moment, Mahmoud Hussein is to remain in detention. Instead of being released, he has been taken back to the same detention centre and is now the subject of a new investigation. And once again, he has been interrogated without a lawyer being present.
His daughter, who had been preparing for his release, reports that she tried to visit him but was refused permission.
“As well as being cruel, the decision to keep Mahmoud Hussein in detention has no legal basis,” RSF’s Middle East desk said. “Bringing new charges against him and again depriving him of a lawyer underscore the arbitrary nature of his imprisonment. We call for his immediate release and the withdrawal of all charges against him.”
Egypt is ranked 163rd out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2019 World Press Freedom Index.
Middle East - North Africa
