(HRinfo/IFEX) – HRinfo condemns the harassment directed against “Al-Ahram” newspaper reporter Ahmed Al-Najar, by the lawyers and partisans of the newspaper and its advertising official, Hassan Hamdi, during the hearing for the “insult” and defamation claim filed against Al-Najar, which took place at Dokki Misdemeanor Court on 2 October 2006. Dokki is a district of […]
(HRinfo/IFEX) – HRinfo condemns the harassment directed against “Al-Ahram” newspaper reporter Ahmed Al-Najar, by the lawyers and partisans of the newspaper and its advertising official, Hassan Hamdi, during the hearing for the “insult” and defamation claim filed against Al-Najar, which took place at Dokki Misdemeanor Court on 2 October 2006. Dokki is a district of Cairo.
Al-Najar is a journalist, a member of the Journalists’ Syndicate, and an elected member of the board of directors of “Al-Ahram”. In June, he wrote an article on corruption in the administration of “Al-Ahram” and attributed it to Hamdi. “Al-Forsan” newspaper republished the same article, also in June.
After the court session, Hamdi’s lawyers attempted to harass Al-Najar while he was with fellow journalists and Syndicate Board members, Mr. Gamal Fahmi and Mr. Ibrahim Mansour, as well as some lawyers.
“The attempted attack on Ahmed Al-Najar should not be overlooked. Al-Najar and other journalists who stand up against corruption practiced by any person should be supported,” said HRinfo Executive Director Gamal Eid.
The lawyers and partisans of Hamdi harassed other journalists in Nasr City Court on 30 September. They attempted to intimidate them for playing their role in the detection of corruption, which had reached disturbing levels at “Al-Ahram”. Nasr City is one of the newer districts of Cairo.
While condemning these acts of intimidation against journalists, HRinfo calls upon Egyptian and international civil society organizations to support Al-Najar and his fellow journalists who refuse to neglect their duty to expose corruption and its perpetrators.
