Egyptian journalist faces trial over a tweet

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, on May 26, 2021. The Biden administration reportedly decided to send military aid to Egypt despite human rights concerns raised by Congress. (AP/Alex Brandon)

CPJ joined 18 other civil society groups this week in condemning the decision by U.S. President Joseph Biden’s administration to send $170 million in military aid to Egypt and bypass human rights conditions set by Congress. The joint statement notes that the move “sidesteps the intent of Congress,” which had passed legislation to withhold such funds unless the Egyptian government acted to improve the human rights situation in the country.

One of the many journalists at risk in Egypt is Hossam Bahgat, who is set to go on trial next month over a tweet criticizing the former president of the National Election Authority for alleged corruption.

“My only explanation for this is that authorities want to send me a certain message or punish me for my overall activities in journalism and human rights,” he told CPJ in a recent Q&A. If convicted, Bahgat could face up to two years in prison and a fine of 500,000 Egyptian pounds (US$32,000).

Global press freedom updates

Spotlight

Seyoum Tsehaye (left), founder of state broadcaster Eri-TV, is one of at least 16 journalists behind bars in Eritrea. (Photo: Seyoum Family)

This month marks 20 years since the Eritrean government shut down the country’s independent press. The country is one of the most censored in the world, and among the worst jailers of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, most of whom have been behind bars since 2001.

The Eritrean government has failed to provide credible answers to questions about the jailed journalists, and has not allowed allow visits from their families or lawyers.

Join CPJ in calling for the immediate release of all jailed journalists in Eritrea.


On September 23, CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour will join a panel conversation hosted by Skyline International for Human Rights on the global and regional impact of Pegasus spyware technology. Watch the event’s livestream at 11 a.m. EDT here.

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