Press Release
The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has monitored that Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecution has referred journalist and human rights defender Ahmed Abu Zeid Al-Tanoubi, along with 29 other journalists and media figures, to criminal trial. This is part of the case publicly referred to as “Mekameleen 2,” registered under No. 977 of 2017 in the Supreme State Security files.
Among those referred to trial are prominent journalists such as Gamal El-Gammal, Ahmed Bayoumi, and Hossam El-Soweify, in addition to several media activists, including the late journalist Ahmed Abdel Aziz.
The charges against the journalists include allegations of “affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, producing and disseminating misleading media content to undermine trust in the state, and transmitting such materials to opposition platforms.” The case is linked to alleged media communications with the Turkey-based opposition channel “Mekameleen.”
According to the defense team, lawyers have not yet been able to review the full details of the referral decision or the final list of individuals named in the case. Additionally, the legal status of those previously released in connection with the case remains unclear, despite earlier assurances that their release orders included full pardons.
CFJ expresses grave concern over these developments, describing them as a significant escalation against press freedom and a sharp decline in public freedoms in Egypt. The committee calls for the immediate release of all detained journalists and stresses the importance of ensuring a safe and conducive environment that allows journalists to perform their duties freely and without fear of targeting or discrimination.