Media personnel continue to suffer in the ongoing demonstrations in Egypt, with an Egyptian journalist succumbing to injuries sustained during the protests.
Ahmed Mohammed Mahmoud, a journalist working for the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ta’awun, died Friday, 4 February, of injuries sustained when he was shot by a sniper a week before. Mahmoud was taking pictures of the unfolding protests when he was shot on 28 January.
Mahmoud’s death is the first reported death of a media person during the protests. The largest protest in Egypt for several decades, the unrest has already seen several journalists beaten, abused and detained.
IPI has previously condemned the treatment of journalists by the authorities and some members of the general public. Today it repeats its call for authorities to release all detained journalists.
“All our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Mahmoud. The ongoing violence against journalists continues to defy belief – especially as Egyptian leaders, including the president, have already voiced their regret for the attacks on the journalists,” Alison Bethel McKenzie, IPI’s acting director said.
“We call on authorities to release all journalists presently in custody and to send a message that the harming of media personnel as they go about their task will not be tolerated.”
The United Nations believes that over 300 people have died across the country since the unrest began to unfold on 25 January. Officials at the Egyptian Health Ministry say that eight people have been killed and over 800 injured in the clashes in the capital over the last few days.