Hundreds of journalists staged a vigil Wednesday outside the Journalists Syndicate in downtown Cairo to denounce attacks on peers near the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Moqattam Saturday.
Several prominent political figures and writers were on hand, including syndicate chairman Diaa Rashwan, former chiefs Galal Aref and Yehya Kallash, former presidential candidate and journalist Hamdeen Sabbahi, syndicate’s board members Hanan Fekry and Khaled al-Balshy as well as politicials Amr Hamzawy, Samir Morkos and George Isaac.
“We will not accept attacks on freedoms,” said Rashwan, demanding an apology from the government. “And we will continue to convey the truth to the people.”
Sabbahi echoed his statements and said Egyptians refuse to be governed by a single faction.
Galal Aref, chairman of the National Committee for the Defense of Freedom of Expression, said laws and regulations are being issued to control the press, but journalists will not stand idly by.
“The assault on journalists proves that the regime does not want them to report the truth,” he said.
“The press is like the judiciary,” said Isaac of the National Salvation Front. “It is a not a body to cross.”
Ahmed al-Borai, secretary general of the Dostour Party, said the government and the Muslim Brotherhood should be brought to account for those assaults.
For its part, the Political Islam Association said it is has filed a complaint with the prosecutor general against Rashad Bayoumy, the Brotherhood’s deputy supreme guide, charging him with libel and defamation.
Activists and journalists accuse Muslim Brotherhood members of assaulting them during a peaceful protest at its headquarters on Saturday. The group denies involvement.
Diaa has demanded the Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie issue an apology. The Public Prosecution is currently investigating the incident.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
