The Journalists Syndicate sent letters to public prosecutor and Cairo Appeal Court demanding release of three journalists affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood who are involved in several lawsuits, under guarantee of their syndicate membership.
The first letter sent by Diaa Rashwan, head of the syndicate, was addressing Cairo Appeal Court President Nabil Salib. It said that wife of Hani Salah Eddin, managing director of the pro-Brotherhood TV channel Masr 25, who was referred to criminal trial, is harmed by the continuous detention of her husband who has not been questioned, although his whereabouts are known. The letter added that his life is endangered due to suffering of back pains and leg stiffness.
The syndicate also addressed Salib demanding release of Ali Mohamed Mohamed Sebei, media advisor of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), who was arrested since 5 October 2013 until 9 February 2014. He was revealed to be involved in other lawsuits without being referred to investigations claiming he was escaping, while he was held in Heliopolis Police station pending investigations.
The syndicate called for release of Salah Eddin and Sebei and vowed they will attend court while reviewing the lawsuits.
Meanwhile, the syndicate also addressed the Public Prosecutor Hesham Barakat demanding release of Samah Ibrahim, journalist with the Freedom and Justice newspaper, who was arrested while covering the constitutional referendum on 14 January. She was held at al-Amiriya Police Station, which caused her a nervous breakdown. She was then transferred to Qanater prison on 14 February then to trial at al-Sahel Misdemeanor Court over charges of opposing the constitution and blocking road. The court sentenced her to one year in prison with labor.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
