PUBLICAI Index: MDE 12/38/98

8 July 1998

Further information on UA 80/98 (MDE 12/16/98, 12 March 1998) - Possible prisoners of conscience / Health concern

EGYPTMagdi Ahmad Hussain, editor-in-chief, aged 45

Mohammad Hilal, journalist, aged 32

Magdi Ahmad Hussain and Mohammad Hilal, respectively editor-in-chief and journalist of the opposition newspaper al-Sha’ab, were released from detention on 3 July 1998 after their sentences were overturned by the Court of Cassation due to procedural irregularities at their trial.

Both men had served four months of a one years’ prison sentence, with hard labour, imposed by a Cairo Appeal court on 24 February after they were accused of libel against ‘Ala’ al-Alfi, the son of former Interior Minister Hasan al-Alfi. This followed a series of articles published in al-Sha’ab in 1996 which accused him of corruption.

No more action is required by the Urgent Action network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.