On 26 March 2016, at a Cairo court hearing, an official from the public prosecution directed nine phony charges against Shawkan. Before the trial, Shawkan’s lawyers were denied access to key documents related to the case, including the charges sheet.
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When Shawkan was arrested in 2013, it was believed he was at risk of life imprisonment. Now, his fate could be much worse as he risks the death penalty. Shawkan was arrested while simply doing his job. He was photographing security forces’ violent behaviour in Cairo’s street protests. He has been in detention for more than two years, in violation of Egyptian law. He is the only Egyptian journalist to have been held beyond this two-year cap. His health is deteriorating and he has been denied access to medication, despite suffering from Hepatitis C.
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Shawkan should never have been arrested in the first place and should be free to peacefully practice his work as a photojournalist, guaranteed by his right to freedom of expression.
Please take action to tell the Egyptian authorities loud and clear that Shawkan’s peaceful journalism is not a crime.
Egyptian photojournalist at risk of death penalty
Photojournalist, Mahmoud Abu Zeid (known as Shawkan), is passionate about taking pictures. He is now paying the price for his peaceful work and is on trial. He risks the death penalty.
