Lina Attala, a prominent Egyptian journalist and director of the independent media outlet 'Mada Masr', is summoned to criminal court on Wednesday to face serious charges that could lead to her imprisonment. This case has sparked widespread international reactions.
Case Details and Charges
Attala is undergoing a retrial following a one-year prison sentence issued in her absence in 2024. She was convicted without her knowledge on charges of 'operating a news website without a license' and 'spreading false news'. These charges are commonly levied against journalists and dissenters in Egypt.
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The United Nations expressed criticism on Tuesday regarding what it calls the 'increasing attacks on press freedom' in Egypt, particularly highlighting the 'targeting, prosecution, and harassment of independent journalists'.
Human Rights Impacts and Consequences
Attala was informed of the absentia ruling just a month ago, following her release from detention after a swift trial in a similar case where she was fined three million Egyptian pounds (approximately $56,000). UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesperson, Sevin Al-Kitan, stated that 'Attala's prosecution raises new concerns about the legal process and fair trial'.
In this case, the court has also ordered the closure of 'Mada Masr', one of the leading independent media outlets in Egypt. This outlet has strived to continue its operations over the past decade amid a severe crackdown on press freedom.
In a pre-trial interview, Attala stated that Egypt is attempting to restrict the 'very limited space available for independent media' and only leave 'silence' behind. She also emphasized that 'Mada Masr' has repeatedly submitted licensing requests over the past eight years that have gone unanswered.
Attala added: 'We are not against regulations; our problem arises when licensing becomes a tool for control and elimination.'
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have described the current crackdown as 'unprecedented', particularly noting the detention of all staff members of the fact-checking platform 'Matsadash' in September. Six journalists remain in pre-trial detention, with reports of torture and 'coercion to record false confessions' regarding them.
This crackdown has faced severe criticism from American lawmakers, the European Union, and 135 human rights and media organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch. Sarah Ghazal, regional director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, stated: 'Egyptian authorities must immediately stop this crackdown and lift the closure of 'Mada Masr' and support the fundamental rights of press freedom.' She also urged the European Union to raise these demands as part of its political dialogue with Egypt.
