Egyptian photojournalist released after 5 years in prison

The Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known primarily as Shawkan, was arrested in 2013 during a sit-in by the Muslim Brotherhood against the removal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

Released Monday at dawn, the photojournalist returned to his parents’ home in Cairo, but he must undergo a strict judicial review for five years. He has to sleep at the police station in his neighborhood every night.

In a mass trial held last September, Mahmoud Abu Zeid was found guilty of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood revolt and sentenced to five years in prison, a sentence he had already served. But he denies any support for the Brotherhood to which Mr. Morsi belongs.

“The long-awaited release of Mahmoud Abu Zeid puts an end to a painful ordeal for him and his family,” said Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International’s director in the Middle East and North Africa.

Egyptian photojournalist released after 5 years in prison
Mahmoud Abu Zaid, a photojournalist known as Shawkan, center, is hugged by his parents at his home in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, March 4, 2019. Shawkan was released after after five years in prison. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

“As a prisoner of conscience, he should never have been forced to spend a single minute behind bars, let alone five and a half years,” said Bounaim.

“I will continue my work as a photojournalist,” said Mahmoud Abou Zeid, 31.

Egyptian photojournalist released after 5 years in prison

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