Calls to free Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt

Protest planned in London to urge Cairo to release reporter and cameraman detained for months over coverage of events.

The National Union of Journalists, based in the UK and Ireland, the International Federation of Journalists, headquartered in Belgium, and the Al Jazeera Media Network have collectively organised a show of solidarity in London for journalists who have been detained, injured or killed in Egypt.

The organisations are calling on people to take part in a protest on Tuesday near the Egyptian embassy in the UK capital.

The demonstration aims to urge Egyptian authorities to release Al Jazeera reporter Abdullah Al Shami and Al Jazeera cameraman Mohamed Bader, who have been detained in Egypt for more than three months.

“Please support, attend and promote this protest to show respect for our dead and to show solidarity with our colleagues who remain detained,” a statement released by the organisations said.

Al Shami, 25-years-old, was arrested on August 14 while covering demonstrations in Cairo’s Rabaa Square and sent to Abu-Zabal prison.

Bader, 28-years-old, was arrested on July 16 at Azbakeya police station for an investigation into his coverage of the Ramses Square clashes. Authorities held him for possessing a camera.

Bader was transferred to the Tura prison for further interrogation and his detention has been renewed repeatedly ever since. His wife gave birth to his first child while in detention.

Journalists have also lost their lives in Egypt over the last few months.

Mick Deane, 61-years-old and a veteran Sky News cameraman was shot and killed while covering events in Cairo on August 14. It was at the same day where hundreds were killed when Egyptian security and military forces stormed two protest camps in Rabia and Al Nahda squares.

Habiba Ahmed Abd El Aziz, 26-years-old and a journalist for the UAE-based Gulf News was shot dead while filming during a security and military raid on Rabia Square on August 14.

Source: News Agencies