Trial of three Mada Masr journalists in Egypt begins on Tuesday

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In response to reports that three journalists from the Egyptian independent news website Mada Masr are due to face trial in On Tuesday, March 7, on charges of misusing social media and insulting members of parliament, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement calling for the charges to be dropped.

“The Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally drop accusations from journalists Mada Masr— Rana Mamdouh, Sarah Seif Eddin and Bisan Kassab— and stop initiating unfair criminal proceedings against them. This prosecution is a clear attack on journalists and the independent press in Egypt,” — Sheriff Mansour, CPJ's program coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, said.

According to Mada Masr news reports, Mamdouh, Eddin and Kasab will face trial on Tuesday for alleged misuse of social media and insulting members of the “Future nation.” If found guilty, journalists face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to £300,000 ($9,733).

This lawsuit is based on a complaint filed by members of the Future nation” on an article by three journalists published on the Mada Masr website on August 31, 2022, alleging that members of the party were involved in financial irregularities.

CPJ emailed the Ministry of the Interior and the Future nation” asking for comment on the situation, but received no response.

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