
Audio By Carbonatix
The office of Egypt's last major independent media outlet has been raided by plainclothes security officers, its editors say.On Facebook, Mada Masr said laptops and phones were confiscated and three staff members briefly arrested.Despite being blocked in Egypt since 2017, the website is accessible in the country via virtual private networks.The authorities have not commented. There has been a crackdown on dissent and free speech under President Sisi.According to Mada Masr, nine plainclothes security forces entered the office on Sunday afternoon and refused to answer questions about their identity.For three hours, they questioned several staff members, including editor in chief Lina Attallah and managing editor Mohamed Hamama, who were later taken to a police station with reporter Rana Mamdouh.Two France 24 journalists who were there to interview Attallah were also prevented from leaving the building. "We asked why we were detained but no-one answered," Eric de Lavarene, one of the reporters, told AFP news agency.He said he had time to alert the French embassy of his arrest, and representatives were sent to the office.
Media captionAre journalists in Egypt under attack by new law?Also on Sunday, Mada Masr reported that its journalist Shady Zalat was released, a day after his detention in Cairo.Mada Masr has recently published an article on the apparent sidelining of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's oldest son.Egypt jails more journalists than any other country after China and Turkey, according to the New York-based watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists.At least eight have been arrested since rare anti-government protests erupted in September, the CPJ said.Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders said Egypt was "one of the world's biggest prisons for journalists."
Media captionAre journalists in Egypt under attack by new law?Also on Sunday, Mada Masr reported that its journalist Shady Zalat was released, a day after his detention in Cairo.Mada Masr has recently published an article on the apparent sidelining of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's oldest son.Egypt jails more journalists than any other country after China and Turkey, according to the New York-based watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists.At least eight have been arrested since rare anti-government protests erupted in September, the CPJ said.Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders said Egypt was "one of the world's biggest prisons for journalists."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Manhyia South MP laments decline in hospitality operations in his constituency
5 minutes -
How a simple clean charcoal innovation could benefit Ghana’s climate future
8 minutes -
NPA, COMAC launch Safety Week 2026 to promote risk management in petroleum sector
9 minutes -
Stakeholder engagement resolves onion trade impasse
17 minutes -
Gender Ministry holds staff durbar, welcomes new Chief Director
28 minutes -
Unexpected illness sparked my radio career – Tommy Annan-Forson
31 minutes -
Bolt Ghana awards GH¢50,000 to women entrepreneurs through “She Moves to Win” campaign
34 minutes -
NRGI Country Manager questions speed of ministerial approval in Damang mining deal
42 minutes -
Publish the assessment — NRGI demands transparency in Damang mining deal award to E&P
57 minutes -
Tamale: Alhaji Hussein Fuzak funds construction of 3-storey classroom block at Ambariya Islamic School
1 hour -
Gender Ministry holds staff durbar, welcomes new Chief Director
1 hour -
Anti-LGBTQ+: Mahama prioritises sentiments of development partners over Ghanaian values – Ntim Fordjour
2 hours -
CPA intensifies crackdown on fake diapers across public hospitals
2 hours -
Deputy Defence Minister urges failed GAF applicants to check medical disqualification reasons
2 hours -
Video: President Mahama’s speech at One Health Summit
2 hours