(IPI/IFEX) – In an 18 September 2001 letter to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, IPI strongly condemned the three-year prison sentence and the 200 Egyptian Pound (US$47) fine given to editor Mamdouh Mahran by an Egyptian state security court, as well as the previous revocation of the publication licenses and subsequent suspension of Mahran’s newspapers, “Al-Nabaa […]
(IPI/IFEX) – In an 18 September 2001 letter to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, IPI strongly condemned the three-year prison sentence and the 200 Egyptian Pound (US$47) fine given to editor Mamdouh Mahran by an Egyptian state security court, as well as the previous revocation of the publication licenses and subsequent suspension of Mahran’s newspapers, “Al-Nabaa al-Watany” and “Akher Khabar”.
According to IPI’s sources, the 16 September sentence against Mahran, for which there is no possibility of appeal, was passed because he allegedly triggered domestic upheaval by publishing a report on a Coptic monk’s alleged sexual affairs. The court also found Mahran guilty of “insulting religions and publishing indecent photographs”. “Al-Nabaa al-Watany” had accused the monk of obtaining sexual favours from women in a monastery and then blackmailing them. The Coptic Church said the monk in question had been defrocked five years ago and that no sexual encounters had taken place in a monastery. The former monk is reportedly being investigated by state prosecutors.
IPI notes that the photos in the articles allegedly depicting sexual exploits by the former monk were taken from a videotape which had already been circulated in Upper Egypt for 100 Egyptian Pounds (US$23.50) a copy. Apparently, copies of the tape had been seized by security forces and then, either by black market purchase or through a leak in the state security forces, a copy had made its way to “Al-Nabaa”. Furthermore, Mahran’s lawyer reportedly criticised the ruling, saying he had not been given enough time to defend his client.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– recalling that jail sentences against journalists and the suspension of media outlets are gross violations of everyone’s right to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– urging him to ensure that the case against Mahran is reopened and that the charges are dropped unconditionally
– further urging him to ensure that “Al-Nabaa al-Watany” and “Akher Khabar” are allowed to resume publishing and that Egypt’s journalists are allowed to carry out their profession without further harassment
Appeals To
His Excellency Hosni Mubarak
President
Cairo, EgyptPlease copy appeals to the source if possible.
