Jazeera Mubasher journalist detained for 15 days in Minya

A journalist with the Doha-based Al Jazeera news network and seven others were ordered to be detained for 15 days pending investigation by the Minya prosecution, the state news agency MENA reported on Monday.

Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist Ahmed Abdel Hamid Tabib and seven others are accused of joining protests against the army and the police, inciting violence, and possessing broadcast equipment said Momen Radwan, head of the Minya prosecution office.

According to the report, when Tabib was arrested last Friday he was in possession of an iPad, a camera, broadcast equipment, and documents that indicate that he works for the news network, whose offices have been shut down in Egypt.

Several Al Jazeera correspondents are currently being held in Egypt, including three arrested in December who work for Al Jazeera English and are now facing terrorism charges.

These include Al Jazeera’s English-language bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy, who is of Egyptian origin but holds a Canadian passport, correspondent Peter Greste (Australian), and producer Baher Mohamed (Egyptian). They are being held in Tora prison and their detention was renewed for another 15 days on January 9.

On January 13, more than 40 editors and correspondents from over 30 international news organizations called for their release of the imprisoned Al Jazeera English journalists.

In a signed statement, the editors and correspondents said, “The arrest of these journalists has cast a cloud over press and media freedom in Egypt. We strongly believe that upholding the rights of journalists and permitting the free flow of information is vital to bringing about greater understanding and serves the best interests of all Egyptians and the world.”

Al Jazeera Media Network has said that the “allegations against the Cairo team are fabricated.” It has also called for the release of Mohamed Badr, Al Jazeera Mubasher Misr cameraman, whose verdict was postponed from last Thursday to February 2 by the court. Abdallah al-Shami from Al Jazeera Arabic has also been detained for over five months.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least three other journalists have been detained by Egyptian authorities for more than five months. These include Metin Türkan of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, Mahmoud Abdel Nabi of Rassd Online News, and freelance photographer Mahmoud Abu Zeid.