Egyptian journalists stage sit-in over detention of six reporters

CAIRO:

Dozens of Egyptian journalists staged a sit-in in Cairo on Saturday, calling for the release of six reporters detained earlier this week in what rights groups say is the most serious blow to independent media in years.

The detained journalists made up the entire newsroom of Matsadaash, an independent media platform known for fact-checking and investigative reporting.

Journalists gathered at the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, whose general assembly declared itself in permanent session and announced an open-ended sit-in at the syndicate's headquarters until its council meets on Monday to decide on further action.

"The danger is not limited to these journalists. It affects all independent journalists," local journalist Mostafa Bassiouny told AFP at the sit-in. "There is a real threat to the already very narrow spaces for independent journalism," he said. Security forces arrested the six journalists in raids across several Egyptian governorates between Monday and Tuesday, according to rights groups and the outlet's management.

Lawyers and rights advocates say the journalists were held without their whereabouts being immediately disclosed to families or legal representatives.