(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the Minister of Justice Farouk Mahmoud Seif al-Nasr, RSF protested the sentencing of Wahid Ghazi and Hossam Wahaballah, from the weekly “Al Mowagaha”, to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 100 Egyptian pounds (approx. US$23.50; 26.50 Euros). “Without commenting on the substance of the matter, we ask you […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the Minister of Justice Farouk Mahmoud Seif al-Nasr, RSF protested the sentencing of Wahid Ghazi and Hossam Wahaballah, from the weekly “Al Mowagaha”, to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 100 Egyptian pounds (approx. US$23.50; 26.50 Euros). “Without commenting on the substance of the matter, we ask you to exercise your influence to ensure that the jail sentence is not applied,” said Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general. RSF pointed out that in January 2000, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Abid Hussain called on all governments “to ensure that press offences are no longer punishable by imprisonment, except in cases involving racist or discriminatory remarks or calls to violence.” RSF noted that another journalist, Mamdouh Mahran, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in September 2001 (see IFEX alerts of 19 and 18 September 2001).
According to information collected by RSF, on 25 November, the Abdine Magistrates Court in Cairo sentenced Ghazi and Wahaballah, editor-in-chief and journalist with the weekly “Al Mowagaha”, respectively, to two years’ imprisonment. The High Council for the Press instigated proceedings against the two journalists following the publication in June of articles and photos showing men and women in “compromising positions” that were considered “offensive to readers”. The two journalists, who appealed the decision, have yet to be imprisoned.
