Committee to Protect Journalists
Two journalists injured covering clashes in Egypt
New
York, April 15, 2014--Two Egyptian journalists were shot by live ammunition on
Monday while covering clashes in Cairo between security forces and university students
supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, according to news reports. At least one
student was killed in the clashes, news
reports said.
Amr
Abdel-Fattah, photographer for the independent TV channel Sada El-Balad, was shot
in the back and underwent surgery at a local hospital, according to news
reports. He is in stable condition. Khaled Hussein, reporter for Al-Youm
al-Saba'a, was shot in the chest, according to the independent daily. He underwent surgery and is in critical
condition, reports said. Both
journalists were taken to Qasr El-Einy Hospital.While being taken to the hospital, Hussein said the police had fired at him, according to a video published by Al-Youm al-Saba'a.
Ahmed Mamdouh, a student and protester who helped take the journalists to the hospital, told CPJ the police used live ammunition to shoot at the journalists and protesters. Independent photojournalist Amru Salahuddien also wrote a post on Facebook that said police had used live ammunition. Al-Youm al-Saba'a published photos showing damage to the outer doors and walls of Cairo University.
The Interior Ministry denied police used live ammunition and said Muslim Brotherhood protesters had shot at journalists, according to news reports.
"We call on the Egyptian government to ensure that journalists can safely cover demonstrations," said Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. "Authorities can take the first step toward quelling the violence by fully investigating the attacks on Amr Abdel-Fattah and Khaled Hussein and holding those responsible to account."
Al-Dustour daily reporter Mayada Ashraf was shot dead while covering clashes in Cairo last month, according to news reports.
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