Al Jazeera questions allegations that Al-Shamy broke his hunger strike

Al Jazeera channel and family of reporter Abdullah Al Shamy expressed their concerns Wednesday after pictures circulated by the Egyptian ministry of interior showed Al Shamy breaking his hunger strike despite his assertion two days ago that he would continue his strike.

A spokesperson for Al Jazeera channel confirmed that no official reports have been provided regarded Al Shamy’s case, but he expressed concerns that Al Shamy may have been fed by force in order to pressure him to end his hunger strike.

The family and lawyers of Al Shamy demanded immediate access to Al Shamy to verify the pictures.

Al Shamy has been held in solitary confinement since August 2013, and has gone on hunger strike since January 21.

Regardless of the status of his hunger strike, the Al Jazeera spokesperson said, Al Shamy’s freedom remains the primary demand, “because journalism is not a crime.”