Prosecution interrogates Makram over ‘illegal’ publishing ban

CAIRO – 11 July 2018: Egypt’s State Security Prosecution started Wednesday interrogating Makram Mohamed Ahmed, president of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) to justify his decision to ban publishing on a subject concerning an Egyptian medical institution.

Head of the Press Syndicate Abdel Mohsen Salama and lawyer of the syndicate, Sayed Abu Zeid, attended the investigation session.

On Saturday, Attorney General Nabil Sadiq summoned Ahmed to investigate imposing a media gag on reports related to the 57375 Children Cancer Hospital. According to the General Prosecution’s statement, any decision for publication prevention should be based on Article 26 of the law on the media institutional organizations, without violating the powers of public prosecution.

The attorney-general addressed Ahmed in stating that the law authorizes the SCMR to guarantee and protect freedom of the press and citizens’ right to enjoy free and fair press within the framework of professional practices.

According to the statement, the attorney-general told Ahmed to submit a clear explanation to his decision to the Supreme State Security Prosecution.

For his part, Ahmed confirmed receiving the general prosecution’s memorandum, adding that the attorney-general rejected the decision from the Supreme Council to ban publishing about the case.

The hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals worldwide specialized in children’s cancer treatment, is facing accusations of “administrative corruption, and illegal squander of donations”.