Egyptian journalist and activist Hossam Bahgat arrested

Journalist and activist Hossam Bahgat (facebook)

Egyptian investigative journalist and rights activist Hossam Bahgat has been arrested, according to Mada Masr. Bahgat was summoned by military intelligence to appear for questioning this morning, apparently in connection with articles that he wrote about the Egyptian army, which the military has deemed to be a threat to its security. Amnesty International has learned that he is being charged by the military prosecutor in a violation of his right to freedom of expression.

Last month he wrote an article about the military trial of 26 military officers who were accused and convicted of planning a coup. The article was based on official documents, including the military prosecutor’s indictment, and on interviews with the military officers’ families.

The Mada Masr report said Bahgat had received a summons from military intelligence on Thursday 5th November, and attended its headquarters on Sunday 8th November. He was questioned by military intelligence for nine hours and could be charged with publishing false information. He was not allowed to take his phone or be accompanied by a lawyer to the interrogation, they added. After interrogations he was allowed to make a three-second phone call to his colleagues informing them that he is being formally charged by the military prosecutor and needs a lawyer.

“The arrest of Hossam Bahgat today is yet another nail in the coffin for freedom of expression in Egypt. He is being detained and questioned by the military prosecutor for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and must be immediately and unconditionally released. Any charges brought against him must be dropped,” said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International.

A recent law that criminalizes journalists who publish information that differs from the accounts of the Ministry of Defense could be used against him. Amnesty International fears that he may be charged and prosecuted under the law.

Hossam Bahgat is one of Egypt’s most prominent activists. He is the founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), an independent Egyptian human rights organization. Last year Bahgat left EIPR and joined Mada Masr, an online news site, where he has written a series of articles concerning the army and military trials.