Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Mohamed al-Hosseiny
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2017 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Mohamed al-Hosseiny, 31 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a5c934da.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Al-Shoura | Imprisoned in Egypt | September 12, 2017
| Job: | Camera Operator, Internet Reporter, Photographer, Print reporter |
| Medium: | Internet, Print, Television |
| Beats Covered: | Corruption, Culture |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | No |
| Charge: | Anti-State, False News |
| Length of Sentence: | Not Sentenced |
| Reported Health Problems: | No |
Mohamed al-Hosseiny was arrested on September 12, 2017, along with photojournalist Angham Ghoneim, while they were interviewing parents at the al-Fagala neighborhood in downtown Cairo, his father and local rights group Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) told CPJ. Local rights groups have documented several >cases where the Egyptian police detained photojournalists only for taking photos outside of tourist areas.
Al-Hosseiny, a reporter for the privately-owned newspaper al-Shoura, and his co-worker Ghoneim, disappeared for more than two weeks, and local police denied having them in custody, local media reported and al-Hosseiny's father confirmed.
Mokhtar Mounir, a lawyer for the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression who is providing legal assistance to Ghoneim and al-Hosseiny, told CPJ that he sent a letter to North Cairo's prosecutor-general Mohamed Abdelsalam on September 19, inquiring about the journalists' whereabouts.
On September 26, the journalists appeared in front of Homeland Security prosecutors for the first time, without authorities alerting their families or lawyer, Mounir told CPJ and local media reported. Prosecutors detained al-Hosseiny for 15 days and released Ghoneim pending trial, Mounir told CPJ. Al-Hosseiny is facing charges of "belonging to a banned group" and "disseminating false news," his lawyer told CPJ. The journalist was questioned about his photo essays and video reports covering corruption for al-Shoura and freelance work he did for the pro-government broadcaster al-Asema, according to his lawyer.
On October 8, 2017 the journalist's family and lawyer were able to see him briefly when he was transferred to Cairo's Supreme Homeland Security Court for arraignment, Mounir told CPJ.
The journalist is being held in Tora Prison Complex, and has been denied subsequent visits from his family and lawyers, according to his lawyer. His detention period is repeatedly renewed every 15 days and no trial date was set by late 2017.
Al-Shoura did not immediately respond to CPJ's email requesting comment.
