CARIO: At least 17 journalists have been deliberately attacked and injured by state security forces in the ongoing military offensive on demonstrations throughout Egypt, according to reports from Egypt's Journalist Syndicate. Two journalists have been detained by military police, and several have been reportedly injured in the clashes. Other journalists have reported that they have had their equipment stolen and photos deleted, according to reports filed through the syndicate. Police shot Al Masry Al Youm video journalist Ahmed Abdel Fattah in the eye with a rubber bullet on Saturday in Cairo. He is currently recovering. Ahram Online reporter, Ahmed Feteha, was beaten and robbed while covering the events in Tahrir Square. Five journalists in Alexandria, who work for various Egyptian newspapers including El-Akhbar, El-Shorouk, El-Tahrir and the MENA news agency – were attacked on Sunday while covering anti-military demonstrations in the costal city. The syndicate also reports that Sarhan Sennara, a reporter from al-Akhbar newspaper, was detained, blindfolded, stripped, and beaten for five hours. Officers robbed him of his money before finally releasing him. On Monday, Maher Iskander, a photographer for the Egyptian daily newspaper Youm7, was shot in the leg. The International Press Institute (IPI) released a statement condemning the violence. “The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces should ensure that Egyptian soldiers stop harming or detaining journalists covering the anti-military protests,” said IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie. “As clashes reportedly continue, it is fundamental that journalists be allowed to do their jobs and report on events without fear of attacks.” The Journalist Syndicate has demanded the immediate detention and trial of all officers involved in the targeting of journalists. The syndicate is currently documenting all reported attacks on journalists in order to move forward with judicial action against those responsible. 35 have been reported dead and at least 1,700 have sustained injuries, as the ongoing state offensive blazes throughout the country. Officers continue to fire live ammunition and rubber bullets indiscriminately on protesters, throw tear gas canisters into crowds, and assault scores of people, in an attempt to quell the protests. BM
