Cairo – June 1, 2016
(Ikshef) – A delegation representing Arab Media Freedom Monitor “Ikshef” , Moyen-Orient des droits et libertés “M.E.R.F” and Mazlom organizations visited Khalid Al-Balshi, deputy head of Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate “EJS”, in his office Tuesday and expressed full solidarity with him and with EJS head Yahya Qalash and its general secretary Gamal Abdel-Rahim. The delegation confirmed that a lawyer would be present at the quick trial session on Saturday.
Ahmed Abu Zeid, an Ikshef researcher, said that the insult of referring EJS leading figures to a quick trial is an attempt by the regime to the brutalize the last citadel of freedom of expression and to made EJS pay for its opposition to the “sale of Tiran and Sanafir” islands to Saudi Arabia, and for opening its doors for those showing refusal of this decision.
Abu Zeid suggested to Al-Balshi that EJS would submit a letter against public prosecutor to Supreme Judicial Council based on the void actions of the investigation that turned EJS leaders from mere witnesses into accused ones of harboring wanted suspects and spreading false news, which abrogates the proceedings of the trial they are referred to next Saturday.
Dr. Ahmed Amasha, general secretary of Mazlom, expressed his support for EJS board in its stance, calling on trade unions to take a unified stance that maintains independence of trade unions and the dignity of trade unions members, and entrenches respect for the law, which criminalizes storming trade unions’ headquarters except with a court order.
