**Updates IFEX alerts dated 24, 9 May, 31, 30 January 1996, and 25 October 1995** On 28 May 1996, Magdi Hussein, editor-in-chief of “Al-Shaab”, the bi-weekly organ of the Islamist Labor Party, was sentenced on appeal by the Cairo Appeal Court to one year in prison, fined E15,000 (US$ 4,500) and ordered to pay E501 […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 24, 9 May, 31, 30 January 1996,
and 25 October 1995**
On 28 May 1996, Magdi Hussein, editor-in-chief of “Al-Shaab”, the
bi-weekly organ of the Islamist Labor Party, was sentenced on
appeal by the Cairo Appeal Court to one year in prison, fined
E15,000 (US$ 4,500) and ordered to pay E501 (US$ 150) in
damages and interest. He was found guilty of libelling the son of
Egyptian Interior Minister General Hassan el-Alfi.
This decision makes Hussein the first journalist to be sentenced
under Law 93 because, in spite of the fact that he plans a
further appeal to a higher court, this appeal will not in any way
allow the facts of the case to be reconsidered.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
that it constitutes a serious infringement of press freedom
be repealed, and to ensure specifically the cancellation of those
clauses that make it possible to impose prison sentences on
journalists
Appeals To
His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Oruba Palace
Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +202 260 5417
Farouk Seif al-Naser
Minister of Justice
Lazoghly Square
Mounira, Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +202 355 5700
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
