Al Jazeera denounces extending Mahmoud Hussein’s detention for 45 days

Al Jazeera Media Network denounces the Egyptian court’s order issued on Thursday, June 22, to extend again  Mahmoud Hussein’s detention for 45 days and demands his unconditional release. Hussein has been detained by Egyptian authorities since December 2016, after arriving to Cairo for a family vacation. The Egyptian authorities accuse Hussein of fabricated allegations of “disseminating false news and receiving monetary funds from foreign authorities in order to defame the state’s reputation.”

Al Jazeera Media Network rejects all the baseless allegations against Hussein, and condemns the unfair detention, in addition to obtaining false confessions by force. Furthermore, the network holds the Egyptian authorities responsible for Hussein’s safety and wellbeing.

The network reaffirms its stand in supporting its journalists and employees, and its commitment to its mission and code of ethics. It is committed to deliver the full and intact truth and to broadcast a professional and objective news coverage from Egypt and the world. Additionally, the network condemns arresting and harassing journalists for simply doing their professional work. The network calls for taking all needed measures for issuing an international declaration that would protect journalists and their rights, and states that the free press and freedom of expression are fundamentals to democracy; “Journalism is not a crime”.

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