Sourced fact
The News
A criminal court in Cairo has today adjourned the retrial of prominent Egyptian journalist Lina Attalah, whose case has garnered significant international attention, following a request from her lawyers to appoint a new judge. The court granted the postponement of the opening session, which was held on Wednesday, to November 18 to evaluate the request submitted by the female editors at the "Mada Masr" website.
In an interview with the BBC, Attalah stated that recent crackdowns by the authorities aim to send a chilling message to the few remaining journalists, warning that everyone must be cautious and fearful of becoming the next target. She added that after her conviction last month for operating an unlicensed website, it was revealed that a previous in absentia sentence of one year's imprisonment had been issued against her for the charge of "publishing false news," despite her being inside the country when the judgment was issued in 2024.
During the opening session, the defense team requested the dismissal of the current judge, claiming he had formed a preconceived opinion against the prosecution, prompting the court to postpone proceedings for one week to consider the dismissal request. "Mada Masr" also noted that an appeal against the monthly conviction was scheduled for November 25, while the United Nations emphasized the necessity of respecting the right to freedom of expression and the right to information.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
From an analytical perspective, the postponement of the trial and the defense lawyers' request for a new judge reflect the continued tension between Egyptian authorities and independent media outlets. The "Mada Masr" website, founded by Attalah 13 years ago, has been classified as one of Egypt's most important investigative sources, but it was forced to operate from abroad since 2017 due to restrictions imposed on it.
In the broader context, reports from Reporters Without Borders indicate that Egypt ranks 169th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom, with dozens of journalists still detained. Attalah linked recent legal actions to economic pressure and regional instability, arguing that closing media spaces opens the door to disinformation and conspiracies.
Furthermore, the issue of journalists on the "Matsdash" platform, who were arrested on charges related to the Muslim Brotherhood, has raised international concerns regarding the selective application of the law. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for their release and for reversing all steps taken to suppress these media outlets.
Finally, the report highlights diplomatic tensions, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to discuss media suppression with his Egyptian counterpart, asserting that US interests require a delicate balance in foreign policy despite its support for Egypt as a trusted defense partner.
