Visiting journalist faces terrorism charges and entire editorial team detained
Following the detention of six employees from the independent Matsadaash platform, an Egyptian journalist has been accused of membership in a terrorist organization.
In Egypt, after the entire newsroom of the independent fact-checking and research platform Matsadaash was detained, a journalist was accused of being a member of a terrorist organization. Rights organizations viewed this situation as a crackdown on press freedom.
Detention of Matsadaash Employees
Six journalists from the independent news and research platform Matsadaash were detained by security forces within the span of two days. Authorities claimed that the platform was unlicensed and spread fake news on behalf of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
Charges and Detention Process
Egyptian authorities accused journalist Mohamed Ashraf of belonging to a terrorist organization and spreading false news. Ashraf will be held in detention for fifteen days as part of the investigation.
Status of Other Journalists and Reactions
The whereabouts of the other five journalists, aside from Mohamed Ashraf, are currently unknown. Abdelrahman Mansour, one of the co-founders of the platform, denied any connection to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Protests and Solidarity
Dozens of journalists gathered in front of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate in Cairo to stage a sit-in for the release of Matsadaash employees. Over eighty rights groups also condemned the detentions.