Journalists arrested in Egypt, others banned from reaching protest

The Egyptian security forces yesterday arrested three journalists in front of the Journalists’ Syndicate building in central Cairo, and prevented others from reaching the area ahead of protests against Egypt’s transfer of sovereign control of the Red Sea Islands Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia.

Journalist Osama Daoud, who monitors abuses suffered by journalists, told the Anadolu Agency that the security forces arrested journalists; Basma Mustafa, Ashraf Al-Shamm’a and Mustafa Redha and prevented journalist Mohamed Abdul Quddus from entering the headquarters.

Daoud said the syndicate is communicating with the ministry of interior to release the three journalists and to allow reporters to enter the syndicate.

He explained that the security apparatus has installed metal barricades on the roads leading to the Journalists’ Syndicate and prevented citizens from crossing.

The Egyptian security forces yesterday increased their presence in downtown Cairo to block protests called for by political and opposition forces against the deal.