NGO Concerned Over Ongoing Detention Of Al Jazeera Journalist In Egypt Despite Court Order

Muhammad Irfan Published May 27, 2019 | 11:30 PM

The International Press Institute (IPI) expressed on Monday concern over the ongoing detention of Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein in Egypt despite a court having officially ordered his release

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2019) The International Press Institute (IPI) expressed on Monday concern over the ongoing detention of Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein in Egypt despite a court having officially ordered his release.

On Thursday, an Egyptian court ordered that Hussein must be released. Egyptian law says that a detainee must be released within 24 hours after a relevant court verdict, but Hussein remains in jail.

"The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and journalists, today expressed dismay over the delay in the release of Al Jazeera journalist and IPI member Mahmoud Hussein from detention despite an order by a court in Egypt," the IPI said in a statement.

The group sent a letter to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry calling for the journalist's immediate release.

"Mr. Hussein's imprisonment was in clear violation of international human rights law.

In January 2018, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Hussein's detention was arbitrary and that the conditions of his arrest and imprisonment amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment ... We urge to you ensure that your government respects the rule of law by immediately releasing Mahmoud Hussein. Press freedom is an essential element of a democratic society, which Egypt claims to be," IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said in the letter.

Hussein was detained on December 20, 2016, at the Cairo airport and arrested on suspicion of disseminating false news and getting funds from foreign countries in order to damage the state's reputation.

In 2018, the IPI and its partner organizations launched a campaign, aimed at putting pressure on the Egyptian government to ensure release of jailed journalists.