Authorities have released an independent journalist from jail 12 days after he was cleared of drug possession charges. Security forces arrested journalist Youssef Shaaban earlier this month while he had been covering a protest in Alexandria against a controversial construction project, which local residents say threatens their homes with collapse. Authorities had charged Shaaban, a journalist with the online edition of left-leaning newspaper Al-Badeel, with possession of illegal narcotics. Twelve days ago, however, prosecutors dropped all charges against the reporter due to a lack of evidence. Human rights reports indicate that authorities had arrested Shaaban several times earlier this year while he had been covering popular demonstrations, some calling for political reform in Egypt and others opposing the anticipated succession to the presidency by Gamal Mubarak, son of President Hosni Mubarak. Egyptian rights organizations saw Shaaban's most recent arrest and detention as the latest example of police violations of freedom of expression, which, they say, have become pre-election staples. Egypt held nationwide parliamentary elections yesterday. Results are expected to be announced tomorrow. According to the Al-Badeel website, Shaaban had recently received a number of threats from the security apparatus while covering the murder of an Egyptian man whose family has accused police of the killing. The website notes that Shaaban has made a career out of exposing the repressive practices of Alexandria's police force against citizens and activists.
