Egypt arrests editor-in-chief of prominent independent news site

Lina Attalah's arrest marks the latest setback for Mada Masr, described as Egypt's 'last bastion of free press'

Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah was detained while interviewing the mother of an imprisoned activist (Social)

By Kaamil Ahmed-17 May 2020

Egyptian authorities have arrested the editor of prominent Egyptian independent news site Mada Masr, which the government has subjected to a campaign of arrests, raids and bans. 

Lina Attalah was detained after interviewing the mother of imprisoned activist Alaa Abdel Fattah outside Tora prison, according to a Mada Masr statement on Sunday. 

The publication said she was being held by police overnight to face questioning by prosecutors on Monday. 

"Mada Masr Editor-in-chief Lina Attalah was arrested for nothing more than doing journalism. We hold authorities responsible for her well-being and call for her immediate and unconditional release," Mada Masr posted on Facebook. 

Ahdaf Soueif@asoueif

Note this face. She created @MadaMasr & built & runs the team that make it "the" Egyptian news source. Her arrest today reminds us how very hard it's been to do and maintain all that. @Linaattalah, journalist by vocation, I admire and support you with all my heart.

167

10:16 AM - May 17, 2020

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Attalah's arrest quickly prompted criticism from journalists and press freedom advocates on social media. 

"Lina Attalah's bravery and leadership through the toughest of times has inspired journalists across the region. Her detention should be deeply concerning to anyone who cares about press freedom," tweeted Louisa Loveluck, the Washington Post's Baghdad bureau chief. 

Attalah and other editors were previously detained in November 2019, when Egyptian forces raided the Mada Masr offices, rounding up staff and confiscating equipment. 

Timothy E Kaldas

✔@tekaldas

It's vital that Egypt's friends make clear that this arrest of another independent journalist is unacceptable.

Has @FP_Champagne seen this? Please communicate to your counterparts about releasing Lina immediately. International pressure helped last time. @brooksimpson https://twitter.com/madamasr/status/1262016716134952961 …

Mada Masr مدى مصر

✔@MadaMasr

Replying to @MadaMasr

UPDATE: Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah is being held overnight at the Maadi police station before being questioned by prosecutors tomorrow, according to officials at the station.

13

9:58 AM - May 17, 2020

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Mada Masr has been described as Egypt's "last bastion of free press" and has published reports and investigations critical of Egypt's government. Its website is blocked inside Egypt. 

Press freedom group the Committee to Protect Journalists called the November raid part of a "retaliation campaign" against Mada Masr's critical reporting. 

Egyptian authorities also arrested journalist Haisam Hasan Mahgoub this week, holding him over allegations of spreading false news and funding a terrorist group. 

“While some governments worldwide pardon prisoners during the time of Covid-19, Egypt is determined to keep its prisons full of journalists instead of letting them cover the pandemic and other news events freely," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa program coordinator Sherif Mansour.