House arrest imposed on Egyptian photojournalist Israa al-Taweel lifted

A Cairo court cancelled on Tuesday the precautionary measures placed on student photojournalist Israa al-Taweel, including her house arrest and police surveillance.

Al-Taweel was imprisoned for seven months and released in December due to her health condition but was placed under house arrest and had to report to the police station.

She was denied proper care following her arrest for a debilitating bullet wound she sustained while covering protests. As part of her recovery, she has had to use a wheelchair for months.

Al-Taweel was accused of belonging to a terrorist organisation and calling for disrupting laws, preventing state institutions from operating and harming national unity by spreading false news.

Her arrest was widely criticised by Egyptian and international human rights defenders, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.