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Egypt's Mursi bans pre-trial detention of journalists | Egypt's Mursi bans pre-trial detention of journalists |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Egypt's president has passed a law banning the pre-trial detention of journalists, after coming under fire over the arrest of two critics. | Egypt's president has passed a law banning the pre-trial detention of journalists, after coming under fire over the arrest of two critics. |
The order reverses a decision made hours earlier by a court in Cairo to detain Islam Afifi, a newspaper editor, until his next trial hearing. | The order reverses a decision made hours earlier by a court in Cairo to detain Islam Afifi, a newspaper editor, until his next trial hearing. |
Mr Afifi and TV station owner Tawfiq Ukasha were both charged after insulting President Mohammed Mursi. | Mr Afifi and TV station owner Tawfiq Ukasha were both charged after insulting President Mohammed Mursi. |
Meanwhile, crowds are gathering in Cairo to protest against the president. | Meanwhile, crowds are gathering in Cairo to protest against the president. |
A headline by the independent daily al-Masry al-Youm newspaper called the demonstration "the first test for Mursi". | A headline by the independent daily al-Masry al-Youm newspaper called the demonstration "the first test for Mursi". |
'Stoking sectarian tension' | 'Stoking sectarian tension' |
A spokesman for Mr Mursi said Mr Afifi, who edits the small independent newspaper al-Dustour, will be released from custody, ahead of his next hearing in September. | |
The law, which was passed on Thursday, is the first issued by Mr Mursi since assuming legislative powers earlier this month. | The law, which was passed on Thursday, is the first issued by Mr Mursi since assuming legislative powers earlier this month. |
Correspondents say the move is designed to counter criticism that Mr Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood backers are trying to suppress the opposition. | Correspondents say the move is designed to counter criticism that Mr Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood backers are trying to suppress the opposition. |
Mr Afifi is awaiting trial for publishing "false information" deemed insulting to Mr Mursi and which could also stoke sectarian tension, prosecutors said earlier this month. | Mr Afifi is awaiting trial for publishing "false information" deemed insulting to Mr Mursi and which could also stoke sectarian tension, prosecutors said earlier this month. |
The 11 August edition of al-Dustour was seized after a court order. | |
An editorial in the confiscated copies had warned of a Brotherhood "emirate" taking over Egypt and called on Egyptians to join the military's fight against Islamism. | An editorial in the confiscated copies had warned of a Brotherhood "emirate" taking over Egypt and called on Egyptians to join the military's fight against Islamism. |
Mr Ukasha, who is also a leading presenter on his al-Faraeen TV station, was meanwhile accused of "incitement to murder" President Mursi. His station has been ordered off the air for a month and threatened with closure. | Mr Ukasha, who is also a leading presenter on his al-Faraeen TV station, was meanwhile accused of "incitement to murder" President Mursi. His station has been ordered off the air for a month and threatened with closure. |
The US, which provides Egypt with substantial financial aid, on Thursday called for Egypt to ensure freedom of speech was being respected. | The US, which provides Egypt with substantial financial aid, on Thursday called for Egypt to ensure freedom of speech was being respected. |
"We did express concerns quite strongly that one of the cornerstones of a vibrant democracy is a free press and respect for freedom of expression," US state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. | "We did express concerns quite strongly that one of the cornerstones of a vibrant democracy is a free press and respect for freedom of expression," US state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. |
Meanwhile, protesters in Cairo say they plan to march to the presidential palace to demand Mr Mursi's resignation. | Meanwhile, protesters in Cairo say they plan to march to the presidential palace to demand Mr Mursi's resignation. |
However notable liberal groups, such as the April 6 youth movement which helping galvanise protests during last year's toppling of Hosni Mubarak, have not joined the rallies. | However notable liberal groups, such as the April 6 youth movement which helping galvanise protests during last year's toppling of Hosni Mubarak, have not joined the rallies. |
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