Egypt Denies Torture Claims Involving Six Detained Journalists

Egypt’s Interior Ministry has denied allegations that six detained journalists from the fact-checking platform Matsadaash were tortured or mistreated.

The ministry described the allegations as “baseless” and said they represented “an attempt by those concerned to evade the charges attributed to them”. The specific charges were not disclosed.

Lawyers report alleged abuse

Lawyers representing the six journalists, who were arrested the previous week, said their clients had reported abuse while in detention.

According to the lawyers, most of the journalists described being beaten and forcibly stripped. They also reported threats directed at them and their families.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the Interior Ministry has rejected them.

Calls for release

Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders and dozens of other organisations have denounced the arrests and called for the journalists to be released immediately.

The detained journalists work for Matsadaash, a fact-checking platform that frequently examines statements made by government officials and state institutions.

The case comes against a broader backdrop of criticism from press freedom groups over restrictions on media activity in Egypt. No further details about the journalists’ detention locations or the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse were provided.