Egyptian prosecutors have charged six journalists from independent fact-checking platform Matsadaash with terrorism-related offences, accusing them of links to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and receiving foreign funding to spread what authorities described as “false news.”
The six journalists, who constitute the platform’s entire newsroom, were arrested during raids in several Egyptian governorates on September 28 and 29, according to Matsadaash management and rights groups.
Matsadaash, whose name means “Don’t Believe It” in Arabic, has operated since 2018 and frequently scrutinises statements and claims made by government officials and state institutions.
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), which is representing the journalists, said some of them reported being tortured following their arrests. Egypt’s Interior Ministry has denied the allegations.
In a statement on Wednesday, prosecutors said the case followed investigations into the activities of Muslim Brotherhood leaders based outside Egypt.
Authorities alleged that the leaders had directed members to establish online platforms to spread “rumours and false news and statements”, undermine public confidence in state institutions and encourage demonstrations.
Prosecutors described Matsadaash as one of the group’s media platforms operating from abroad. They also alleged that the defendants received regular funding in foreign currencies through transfers from a company owned by a Brotherhood member living overseas.
According to the prosecution, one of the defendants admitted that he and the other journalists had been instructed to publish what authorities described as false reports about state institutions and officials as part of efforts to undermine them.
Another defendant was alleged to have said the platform was used to highlight shortcomings attributed to state officials in a way that could fuel public discontent.
Prosecutors also said an examination of the social media accounts of two of the journalists found posts they considered supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Matsadaash and its co-founder, Abdelrahman Mansour, a prominent activist from Egypt’s 2011 uprising who is now based in New York, have denied the allegations.
The Muslim Brotherhood was banned in Egypt in 2013 following the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. Under Egyptian law, conviction for membership of the organisation can carry a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
The arrests have prompted condemnation from rights and press freedom organisations, which have called for the journalists to be released.
According to EIPR, Egypt is now holding 26 journalists in connection with their work following the latest arrests, highlighting continuing concerns among rights groups over restrictions on independent media in the country.
