A human rights organization has slammed Egyptian security for denying entry to a Palestinian cinema professional last Thursday, denouncing the measure as a violation of the freedom of movement.
Ehab Assal, a Palestinian cinematographer, was denied entry to Egypt through Cairo International Airport, said the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). “He was detained by the authorities and deported in a degrading manner in spite of all the calls and attempts to resolve the problem,” the organization added in a statement on Sunday.
The network added that Assal was planning to shoot scenes of a movie by Palestinian director Hany Abu Asaad, a twice nominee for the Oscar awards. “This incident is a clear violation of the right to movement and defames the cinema industry in Egypt,” ANHRI said, quoting the Assad as saying that the movie might be shot in another country if the problem is not resolved.
The organization urged authorities to allow the crew’s entry to Egypt, saying the situation was at odds with the government’s declared encouragement of the cinema industry.
