Egypt: CFWIJ welcomes the release of journalist Rasha Mounir after her brief detention

August 12, Cairo, Egypt — Journalist Rasha Mounir of Daarb News, along with her photographer colleague, was detained and kept in custody for over 12 hours on August 11. The two were not interrogated throughout their detention period and they were later released after an intervention by the press syndicate.

On August 11, 2020, Rasha and her colleague were covering the first electoral day of the Egyptian senate-house election in October District. Police officers detained and moved them to October First police station where they were kept for over 12 hours. They were not interrogated or informed about the legal grounds of the detention.

Rasha, currently works for Daarb News and i-news TV and was previously associated with the Sout-Al Oma Newspaper.

Upon securing the release of Rasha and her colleague, The Committee of Freedom and President of the press syndicate Diaa Rashawan communicated with leads in the Ministry of Interior to inquire about the nature of charges and reasons for detention. But they have not yet received any clarification or response.

CFWIJ welcomes the release of Rasha and her colleague but demands that the Egyptian authorities stop imposing restrictions on press freedom. The increase in limitations against press freedom in Egypt has made journalism in the country a risqué business. The persecution and intimidation of journalists must stop immediately.