Update: Deutsche Welle ends relationship with freelancer over comments against Egyptian activist

Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s international broadcaster, announced on Friday the termination of its working relationship with a freelance Arabic writer who incited violence toward renowned Egyptian human rights lawyer Mahienour al-Massry.

On his Facebook page on Wednesday, journalist Nagi Abbas wrote, “Is there any woman in this country, or decent man who would do us a favor and kidnap Mahienour, give her at least quarter of a liter of acid to drink and pour the rest on her face.”

The next day, Abbas clarified that whatever he writes on Facebook represents him, “and has nothing to do with my work in any institution, whether German or any other.”

In its statement on Friday DW stated, "The colleague published a post on his private Facebook page, unmistakably calling for a criminal offence against the Egyptian human rights activist Mahienour El-Massry," adding, "Under no circumstances will DW tolerate such behavior."

DW is examining the possibility of taking legal steps against the journalist, the statement added.

Abbas’ post had sparked outrage on social media, with several people accusing him of inciting others to try and kill Massry.

A tweet from Lebanese TV host Liliane Daoud, a resident of Cairo who was deported from Egypt in June, asked how DW could task this journalist with preparing stories on human rights violations.

“Does it trust his professionalism?” she wrote. “Does he represent a sample of its journalists?”

Earlier this week Massry and journalist Youssef Shabaan were both released after serving 15-month prison sentences for storming the Raml Police Station in Alexandria in March 2013. They were among those staging a sit-in in response to reports that police personnel had assaulted lawyers attending the interrogation of three activists held at the station.