Doha: The Doha Centre for Media Freedom (DCMF) has expressed concern over the arrest of a prominent investigative journalist who was detained last week.
Ahmed Abu Deraa, winner of the 2013 European Union’s Sammir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press, was detained by security forces on September 4, having been accused of publishing false information about the military.
DCMF has published an open letter to the Egyptian authorities, expressing concern and calling for Deraa’s immediate release.
The document has also been sent directly to the offices of the Egyptian Minister of Information, Doria Sharah Al Din, and the Minister of Defence and Military Production, General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.
In the letter, the centre “demands the immediate and unconditional release of Deraa” stating that “journalists should be allowed to work freely without fearing persecution.”
“Arresting journalists without charge is unacceptable at any time, especially during times of political instability and uncertainty, when members of the media must be allowed to carry out their work free from facing detention by the authorities.”
DCMF has also expressed apprehension about the intent to try the journalist in a military court, referring to previous issues associated with such procedures.
The letter says: “Media freedom is essential and must be protected at all times. The centre is concerned over the recent crackdown on members of the media in Egypt and hopes that Deraa’s case can be resolved immediately and without further complication.”
The Peninsula
