The Press Syndicate’s Freedoms Committee arranged a meeting to discuss the conditions of detained journalists on Thursday, highlighting that the majority is suffering from poor health conditions and is in need of a medical release.
Head of the committee Khaled El-Balshy said that the state did not implement any of its previous promises which included presidential pardons and proper medical treatment for detained colleagues.
El-Balshy referred to director of Mada Foundation for Media Development and Press Syndicate member Hesham Gaafar and journalist Omar Abdel Masoud, saying that they should be granted a medical release, due to their deteriorating health conditions.
He also condemned the government’s negligence, and demanded immediate release for all detained journalists.
Human rights defender Malek Adly and journalist Amr Badr were both released a few days ago. During the meeting, they narrated their experiences in solitary confinement where they were held for over 100 days.
The wives of detained journalists also attended to address their husbands’ conditions.
Badr was arrested along with journalist Mahmoud Al-Saqa on charges of inciting protests and attempting to overthrow the regime on 1 May. Al-Saqa is still detained despite suffering from low blood pressure.
