Egypt fact-checking platform says authorities arrest entire editorial team
Egyptian authorities have arrested the entire editorial team of the fact-checking platform Matsadaash.
On Wednesday, Egyptian authorities detained the entire editorial staff of the fact-checking platform Matsadaash, according to a rights group and the platform itself. Mohamed Mahmoud and Omar Hilal, two of the journalists, were initially apprehended on Monday, raising the total number of Matsadaash reporters detained to six. The platform reported that all six members of its newsroom are currently in custody, with no details provided on their detention locations or legal proceedings.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) corroborated the arrests, expressing strong condemnation of the security clampdown on the news outlet. Four journalists were taken from their homes in Cairo, Gharbia, and Port Said, while the remaining two were detained on a street in Cairo. Matsadaash, active since 2018, is known for its news verification and fact-checking, often challenging statements made by government entities.
Recent articles have scrutinized statements from the Egyptian Foreign Minister and examined instances of cronyism within the public prosecution system. Egypt has faced scrutiny over human rights issues and restrictions on freedom of expression, with 26 journalists detained in connection with their work, as documented by the EIPR.
Recent actions have also led to the imprisonment of Discord users, online content creators, comedians, and other commentators. Human rights organizations accuse Egyptian authorities of detaining numerous dissidents and prisoners of conscience, a claim the government refutes, stating that these individuals are being held on criminal charges.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
