By Fatma Khaled
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) reported 12 assaults on journalists that occurred on 16 and 17 August during pro-Mohamed Morsi protests in a statement released on Sunday.
AFTE stated that the assault cases included two arrests, two reporters who disappeared, two who were injured by birdshot and six journalists who were attacked by civilians.
There were 45 attacks reported since the dispersal of sit-ins near Rabaa Al-Adaweya mosque and in Al-Nahda square, the statement read.
AFTE stated that the cases included an attack on a journalist from Mas’aa newspaper during which Morsi supporters beat him and stole his belongings in Ramses square.
The campaign stated that Mohamed Ibrahim, another journalist from Badil newspaper, was shot in the Ramses square clashes while covering pro-Morsi marches.
The statement also mentioned that a journalist from Badil and a Brazilian journalist, both of whom were arrested, are still being detained. One of the journalists was arrested for covering the clashes without a press pass.
AFTE also stated that two Canadian journalists disappeared and it was reported that they were arrested earlier but their place of detention remains unknown.
The Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the attacks and formed a committee to investigate the assaults and gather testimonies, according to state run Al-Ahram.
The Committee to Protect Journalists earlier urged authorities to issue clear orders to security forces that respects the right of journalists to “work freely and safely” in a statement released in response to the deaths of four reporters on Wednesday who died while covering violence across the country.
