CAIRO: Egyptian military police beat and arrested American journalist and Bikyamasr.com Editor-in-Chief Joesph Mayton on Qasr al-Aini Street in Cairo on Saturday morning. Mayton, who was covering the ongoing violence in Cairo, was assaulted by the military police around 9:30 AM after a group of citizens surrounded him, questioning why he was there. He was brought to the Cabinet building, where he has been detained and deprived of food and water. Mayton managed to contact his family, who in turn contacted the American embassy. He said he is currently being held at the cabinet building with dozens of others who were arrested, including a man from Hungary. He reported that he has been beaten on the head and back by military police, while others detained with him have suffered worse beatings. The American Embassy said they need to obtain a permit to allow for his release. He may spend the night in detention.
***UPDATE: Mayton, speaking with Bikya Masr staff this evening, reported that American Embassy officials told him that they cannot retrieve him from detention due to security and diplomatic concerns. Egyptian military officials told Mayton that he can be released if an embassy official picks him up. The embassy said they hope to arrange for his release by tomorrow morning. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/5uSIg Tags: featured, Joseph Mayton Section: Egypt, Latest News
