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Journalist in possession of footage documenting torture charged and interrogated

(HRinfo/IFEX) - HRinfo condemns the charges and the investigation launched against Huweida Taha, a journalist from Al-Jazeera TV. Taha is being investigated because she was in possession of footage documenting torture in Egypt that was to be broadcast on a show by the television channel. Security forces confiscated the videotapes while Taha was on her way to Doha, Qatar during the week of 8 January 2007.

On 13 January, the State Security Prosecutor accused Taha of filming scenes which may harm the national interests of the country, and possessing and transferring false footage, which incorrectly describes the situation in Egypt. The State Security Prosecutor has also decided to continue interrogations with Taha on these charges.

This investigation comes as a surprise. It reveals a sharp diversion from the original stance of the Ministry of Interior, which previously granted an official license to Taha and offered to help her in the preparation of the abovementioned TV show, according to Al-Jazeera.

"We cannot find charges similar to those leveled against Huweida Taha in any other country that respects freedom of press and meets the minimum standards of a democracy. These accusations are artificial and aim at covering up the crimes of torture that are widespread in Egypt, which were recently disclosed by young and courageous Egyptian bloggers," HRinfo Executive Director Gamal Eid said.

Harassment of Al-Jazeera staff has become a routine exercise by the Egyptian government. These threats and restrictions are apparently applied to limit the boldness of Al-Jazeera staff in keeping the public abreast of events.

HRinfo calls upon the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutor to immediately drop the accusations leveled against the Al-Jazeera journalist and to fight torture rather than punishing those who disclose it.