The Journalists Syndicate expressed concern Friday about the arrest of journalists Ahmed Abu Draa in North Sinai and Brotherhood leader Mohsen Rady.
The syndicate issued a statement calling on the security authorities to clarify the charges brought against both journalists. The statement stressed that the journalists should be tried before a civilian court, not a military one.
The Journalists Syndicate said it assigned a committee of lawyers to defend both Rady and Abu Draa.
The statement denounced the publishing of Abu Draa’s photo among other arrested civilians under “terrorists” on some news websites, calling on journalists to adhere to professional standards and not to accuse citizens before being convicted by court.
The statement stressed that the freedom of press is a redline that should not be bypassed. It also rejected attempts to restrict journalists against the law by sentencing them to prison on publication charges or by trying them before military courts.
Salah al-Salam, a member of the National Council for Human Rights, expressed solidarity with the demand of the Journalists Syndicate to release Abu Draa.
The National Council for Human Rights will dicuss Abu Draa’s arrest as he was carrying out his duty and never intended to harm the national security or harm to the armed forces, Salam said.
The Journalists Syndicate in Sinai held an emergency meeting in al-Arish, North Sinai, to discuss the detention of Abu Draa and his military prosecution in Ismailia.
Edited translation of Al-Masry Al-Youm
