SALON

Friday, May 20, 2011 4:04 PM UTC

Egypt’s military prosecution questions journalists

Three journalists pledge not to report news regarding the armed forces "which may cause confusion in the streets"

By

Topics: Egyptian Protests,

Egypt's military prosecution questions journalistsAn Egyptian man holds a caricature picture of deposed President Hosni Mubarak with Arabic word reading, "search me," during a rally in Tahrir square in Cairo, Egypt Friday May 13, 2011. Egyptian authorities have ordered the detention of Suzanne Mubarak, wife of deposed President Hosni Mubarak, the government-run MENA news service said Friday. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)(Credit: AP)

Military prosecutors summoned and then released the editor and two journalists of an independent newspaper for reporting on an alleged deal to offer amnesty to ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

The three were released after they signed a pledge to not report on issues involving the armed forces that might cause “confusion” in the streets, Egypt’s state news agency and a rights activist said Friday.

The three were questioned about a report El-Shorouk newspaper ran earlier this week saying Mubarak planned to release an audio appeal for amnesty in exchange for releasing all his holdings, therefore avoiding a trial. It cited unidentified Egyptian and Arab officials, as well as an unnamed military official who said a mediation deal was under way.

The report sparked a wave of criticism and calls for mass rallies to demand justice. The anger prompted a quick denial from the military rulers.

The official news agency said the three were summoned by military prosecutors Thursday and asked to sign a pledge that they would not report on news regarding the armed forces “which may cause confusion in the streets, without clearance from the armed forces.”

El-Shorouk editor Amr Khafagi was not available for comment. The paper published a column Thursday saying it had no intention of “polarizing” society, but never denied the report. It said it would stop publishing reports about the issue until the “mood allows for a free discussion of the issue.”

Gamal Eid, a human rights activist, said the action by the military prosecutors was a violation of freedom of expression and was meant to censure any criticism of the Supreme Armed Forces Council, who are now running the country after Mubarak stepped down on Feb. 11 in the face of an 18-day popular uprising.

Eid said the military prosecution had no business interrogating the journalists, who violated no professional codes.

“We are against the fact that the military council is creating red lines,” he said, adding that the move amounted to a scare tactic. “The real danger is when journalists stop writing and obey these orders.”

Mubarak has been held in custody in a hospital over allegations of killings of protesters and corruption.

Bringing Mubarak to trial has become a rallying point for protesters.

 

Sarah El Deeb

More Sarah El Deeb.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 4 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations