October 4, 2024

Press Freedom

Egypt

IPI Calls for Release of Egyptian Journalists

The International Press Institute has joined a chorus of voices condemning Egypt’s lengthy prison sentences against three Al Jazeera journalists. In an open letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the IPI’s executive board said prosecutors “failed to provide relevant evidence” in court to support charges that Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy, producer Baher Mohamed and correspondent Peter Greste aired false information and assisted the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Board members called on El-Sisi to remember the country’s constitutional obligation to respect its citizens’ right to freedom of speech, and urged him to grant a full presidential pardon to all journalists convicted in connection with their work.