Egyptian army starts rounding up journalists, possibly for their own protection from attack

[Turborama]

Source: AP

The Egyptian military has started rounding up journalists, possibly for their own protection, after they came under attack from supporters of President Hosni Mubarak who have been attacking anti-government protesters.

An Associated Press reporter saw a group of foreign journalists being detained by the military on a street near Tahrir Square, the scene of battles between supporters of Mubarak and protesters demanding he step down after nearly 30 years in power.

Foreign photographers reported a string of attacks on them Thursday morning by Mubarak supporters near Tahrir Square. One Greek photographer was stabbed in the leg.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jqqNj4bRLSpz_ttO2TeuVAc8azew?docId=5842466

[justiceischeap]

1. A tweeter in Cairo made a very good point, since US & Europe have condemned Mubarak

Westerners are no longer a forbidden target. It seems from all the Twitter reports from the ground I've read this morning, Westerners, but especially journalists, are being targeted.

[jannyk]

2. Anyone streaming Al Arabiya?

I'm on a satellite internet sand don't have the bandwidth.

<< 1242: There are lots of tweets about journalists being under attack close to Tahrir Square - such as Tristan Redman who tweets: "Reports that an #alarabiya crew is under attack next to state TV building. Al Arabiya is appealing on air for help from military #egypt">>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698

[molly77]

3. Israel has concerns that Egypt won't be stable if Mubarak steps down.

[TBF]

4. "It's for your own protection" pffffttttt.... nt

[Turborama]

10. Actually, from what I've seen over the past few days it most likely was a genuine concern. n/t

@3arabawy
Hossam عمو حسام
An army officer weeps after protesters were attacked by Mubarak's thugs today in Tahrir http://twitpic.com/3vvqeg #jan25

Posted here by Hissyspit: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x336472

[Tomas12]

5. Egyptian police

I wonder if it can be the Egyptian police that attack the journalists?

[bemildred]

7. Probably the Interior Ministry. nt

[bemildred]

6. Mubarak & Co. don't want to spill a lot of blood while the World is watching.

Looks bad. And there is no other way they can win, because they are way outnumbered. If they were not stupid and arrogant they would be leaving.

[grahamhgreen]

8. "own protection", LOL - Mubarak is the one who is attacking the journalists!

[Turborama]

9. Turns out they were right. Must have had inside knowledge that they were a target

Multiple reports of journalists being attacked and arrested: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x339954

[Prometheus Bound]

11. This headline is bullshit.

It doesn't correspond with the headline in the link and there is nothing in the article to substantiate "possibly for their own protection".

Human rights organizations also were targeted. Some of those groups said many activists were taken away after a raid by the military police on a legal centre in Cairo.

.....

Douglas Jehl, foreign editor for The Washington Post, said on the paper's website that Cairo bureau chief Leila Fadel and photographer Linda Davidson were held by military police and released. Their translator, Sufian Taha, and driver, Mansour el-Sayed Mohammed Abo Gouda, were believed to remain in custody, Jehl wrote.

.....

The Toronto Globe and Mail said two of its reporters were detained by the military for about three hours. One, Sonia Verma, said the pair was picked up with about 25 other foreigners, including other journalists.

.....

The injured Greek correspondent, Petros Papaconstantinou, said on Kathimerini's website that: "I was spotted by Mubarak supporters. They ... beat me with batons on the head and stabbed me lightly in the leg. Some soldiers intervened, but Mubarak's supporters took everything I had on me in front of the soldiers."

[Turborama]

12. Notice how it now says "By Michael Weissenstein (CP) – 37 minutes ago"?

I posted it exactly as is about 14 hours ago, and it's obviously been changed since I posted it.


For proof, here's a google search of that headline: http://www.google.com/search?q=Egyptian+army+starts+rounding+up+journalists,+possibly+for+their+own+protection+from+attack&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8


Thanks for bringing it to my attention though. Even if it was in the form of an attack on my integrity.

[Turborama]

13. Full original article, seeing as the source has edited it beyond recognition.

All 3 pages here: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9L5CM2O0