Egypt: Australian journalist freed

14 Feb 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

An Australian journalist who was detained in Egypt on the first anniversary of the ousting of former president Hosni Mubarak has been freed. Cairo-based freelance writer Austin Mackell was detained alongside an American student and their Egyptian translator in the northern city of al-Mahalla al-Kubra on Saturday while covering a nationwide strike led by workers. Mackell, who writes his own blog and has contributed to the Guardian, the Canberra Times and Russia Today, has said he was accused of spying and inciting people to strike, an accusation he denies.

Egypt: journalists attacked by security services

07 Feb 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

Two journalists were shot by security services, and another detained whilst covering the political unrest in Egypt over the weekend. Mahmoud al-Ghazali, Nile TV correspondent, was shot with pellets early on Saturday morning, whilst reporting on clashes between protesters and security forces. Al-Ghazali was shot in the eye, causing extensive damage. Online journalist Salma Said was shot around 1am on Monday by security forces while she filmed clashes in central Cairo. The journalist was hit in the face, legs and stomach. Mohamed Rabee from independent newspaper Al-Badil was forcibly detained by plain clothed officers yesterday, as he dictated a news story to his colleague via mobile phone.

Egypt: Comic sentenced in “insulting Islam” case

02 Feb 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost

Comic actor Adel Imam has been sentenced to three months in jail for “insulting Islam” after a case was brought against him by Islamist lawyer  Asran Mansour. Imam, an actor for more than 40 years, is well-known throughout the Arab word.

It is widely believed the sentence was passed because Imam failed to attend the hearing, and that the sentence will be overturned.. He has one month to appeal, during which he will remain free.