Police attack journalists trying to cover demonstration in support of judges

Reporters Without Borders voiced shock today at police attacks on journalists covering a demonstration in Cairo yesterday in support of two Egyptian judges who were due to appear before a disciplinary tribunal. “It is becoming more and more difficult for the local and international press to cover protests that displease the regime,” the press freedom organisation said, pointing out that at least 50 journalists have been the victims of police violence while covering demonstrations since last November. “Those responsible for the use of violence against journalists must be punished,” Reporters Without Borders added. Thousands of anti-riot police were deployed yesterday to prevent demonstrators approaching the tribunal where pro-reform judges Mahmoud Mekki and Hicham al-Bastawissi were supposed to face disciplinary proceedings for calling for an investigation into the possible involvement of fellow judges in electoral fraud last November and December. Cameraman Yasser Sulaiman of the Cairo bureau of Al-Jazeera TV was hit in the face when he and his soundman, Nasr Youcef, were prevented from filming. His camera was seized and then returned without its videotape. Al-Jazeera producer Mohamed El Daba and one of the station's reporters, Lina Gahadban, were detained and questioned at length before being freed. Reuters TV cameraman Ahmed Fahmy, Qatari TV cameraman Ahmed Salah and Salah's soundman, Yehia Galal, all had similar experiences. Nadia Abou El Magd of the Associated Press and Hannah Allam from the US News chain Knight Ridder were harassed and jostled.