Press release
Geneva – May 19, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has monitored that the East Cairo Public Prosecution is investigating Salah El-Din Hassan, the editor-in-chief of the “Zat Masr” website. Hassan stated that he is unaware of the nature of the accusations or the details of the case prompting his investigation.
The East Cairo Public Prosecution issued a summons for Hassan on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, related to case number 807 of 2023, postponing the investigation for two weeks.
This is not the first time Hassan has been summoned. Previously, he was called before the Egyptian Supreme Council for Media Regulation on January 10, 2023, accused of “publishing false and incendiary news that contravenes journalistic and media codes of honor and warrants legal accountability,” following articles about the Minister of Youth and Sports and a Senate meeting. He was also summoned at the end of April for a report on corruption in a group of private schools.
CFJ condemns the summons of Salah El-Din Hassan due to published materials on the “Zat Masr” website, viewing it as a blatant violation of press freedom in Egypt, protected by the Egyptian constitution and law. CFJ calls on Egyptian authorities to cease targeting journalists and media personnel, respect press freedom, and halt investigations against Hassan related to his editorial work.