#PressEgypt Campaign

This article forms part of IPI’s #PressEgypt campaign, which aims to secure the release of the approximately two dozen journalists currently behind bars in Egypt. How can you help Mahmoud Hussein? Tweet the message below and help spread the word!

Jailed for his passion for photography, #Shawkan has been imprisoned in #Egypt since 2013. I call on Egyptian authorities to #FreeShawkan and all other journalists behind bars! #PressEgypt #JournalismIsNotACrime

Take me to the #PressEgypt campaign page
The International Press Institute (IPI) spoke with Mohammed Abu Zeid, brother of Mauhmoud Abu Zeid, also known as “Shawkan”, an independent photojournalist imprisoned in Egypt for more than 5 years. He was arrested while covering the Rabaa sit-in dispersal on August 14th 2013, and put in pre-trial detention. Shawkan is being accused, among other, of belonging to a terrorist group.  Since the day of his arrest, Shawkan is being held in prison although he is not legally convicted of any crime.