Egypt
The Prosecution releases Masoum Marzouk and 4 others
On 20 May, the Supreme State Security Prosecution ordered the release of former ambassador Masoum Marzouk, university professors Dr. Raed Salama Dr. Yehia al-Qazzaz and Dr. Abdel Fattah al-Banna, and activist Nermin Hussein after 9 months in detention, for allegedly “spreading false news, joining a banned group and disturbing peace and public security” pending case No. 1305 of 2018 State Security.
Five acquitted in “Ultras Ahlawy” case
On 21 May, Giza Criminal Court ordered the acquittal of 5 “Ultras Ahlawy” members of the charges of “using force, violence and armed robbery, damaging public and private property, and possessing unlicensed arms and ammunition”, pending case No. 15567 of 2014 Qasr al-Nil.
Dozens of students arrested after protesting against the new exam system
Police forces arrested dozens of high school students during a protest they organized on 21 May in front of the Ministry of Education building to protest against the new electronic exam system, before they were later released.
Thousands of first-grade secondary students took part in demonstrations in several provinces across the country to demand the abolition of the new “tablet-based” exam system due to “system failure” and their inability to access the tests.
Publication of Al Ahaly newspaper banned for publishing a report on corruption and abuse of power
Some regulatory bodies have suspended the issue of Al Ahaly newspaper (the mouthpiece of Tagamoa Party) because it published a report, entitled “Gross violations by a former minister, current official’s wife”, which addressed the serious violations committed by a head of a company taking advantage of her husband’s influence to put pressure on banks.
Journalist Mahmoud Hussein released
On 23 May, Cairo Criminal Court upheld the release order issued for Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein with precautionary measures pending case No. 441 of 2018 State Security, on charges of “spreading false news, joining a banned group and misusing social media”. The court also turned down the appeal submitted by the Prosecution against the journalist’s release.
Algeria
Journalist Abdel-Jabbar Ben Yahya seriously injured
On the 91th of May, Abdel-Jabbar Ben Yahya, journalist at Al-Nahar newspaper, was attacked by a group of anti-riot police personnel while he was covering a students’ march near Al-Safir Hotel in the upper road leading to the Central Post Office causing serious fractures in the leg in addition to the confiscation of his mobile phone.
Police use tear gas to disperse a protest by university students in central Algiers
On 21 May, Algerian police used tear gas to break up a sit-in staged by a number of university students in front of the government headquarters in central Algiers to demand the overthrow of all symbols of the current regime and to reject the presidential elections scheduled for July 4.
Lebanon
Head of the General Workers’ Union referred to the appeal prosecution
On 20 May, the Public Prosecutor referred the head of the General Workers’ Union, Bishara Asmar, to the Appellant Public Prosecution in Beirut to take legal action, against the backdrop of statements insulting the late Patriarch Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfei which Bishara released before a press conference of the General Labor Union on May 17.
Sudan
“Committee for the Restoration of the Journalists’ Syndicate” demands the dissolution of the Journalists Union
The Committee for the Restoration of the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate sent, on 20 May, a memorandum to the Transitional Military Council (TMC) demanding the dissolution of the Journalists Union and the freezing of all its assets and accounts. The committee also called for launching a campaign of consultation and forming a steering committee to run and manage the union, as well as revoking all the publishing ban decisions issued by the Prosecution and circulated by the Press Council.
Jordan
Lawyer Firas Al-Rousan detained for a week on “lengthening the tongue” charge
On May 23, Amman Prosecution ruled to hold lawyer Firas Al-Rousan in detention for a week at the Juwaida Reform and Rehabilitation Center; for allegedly “lengthening his tongue” against the backdrop of some comments he shared on his personal account on social media criticizing the leaders of the state.
