Third Egyptian Journalist Attacked

(ANHRI/IFEX) - The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounces the increasing frequency of assaults on reporters who are carrying out their work despite the repeated official declarations expressing respect for press freedom and the right of reporters to have access to information.

The last incident occurred at the Ministry of Irrigation when Maher Abd AlWahed, a correspondent for the weekly "Youm7" ("Seventh Day") and its representative at the ministry, was covering a sit-in by an employee who was objecting to some recent administrative decisions.
When Abd AlWahed noticed that the employee had fainted, he tried to photograph him, but security personnel from the ministry began to beat and insult him. They subsequently seized his cell phone and detained him in the security office.

Abd AlWahed is the third reporter to be assaulted this week: Hosam AlHendy, of "Dostor", was the first and the second, Farouk AlGamal of "AlMasry AlYoum", was assaulted by several lawyers.

ANHRI calls on the minister of irrigation to immediately open an investigation into the assault on Abd AlWahed, a reporter who was attacked while on duty. ANHRI also urges the prosecutor general to conduct a serious investigation into the individuals responsible for the assaults on journalists in order to protect reporters and the journalistic profession.

http://www.ifex.org/egypt/2009/09/03/abd_alwahed_beaten/