Mahmoud Abou Zeid (Shawkan)
After more than five years, the Egyptian photojournalist and CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, was finally freed from Tora prison on March 4, 2019. However, he has spent every night since in police custody, due to the conditions attached to his release. Shawkan was released under "police observation,” meaning that…
Restrictive terms of Shawkan’s release from Egyptian jail highlighted to UN
On October 10, Mahmoud Abu Zeid turned 33. It was the Egyptian photojournalist’s first birthday out of prison since his August 2013 arrest. But in spite of his celebrated freedom in March, the police monitoring conditions of his probation have, in effect, rendered his release obsolete.
In Egypt, ‘freedom’ ends daily at 6pm for Shawkan and Abdelfattah
Relief over the release of Egyptian journalists Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, and Alaa Abdelfattah from prison last month has been clouded by the conditions of their freedom. “I am happy to see your joy over my release, but I am unfortunately not free,” Abdelfattah wrote to his large following on social media yesterday.…
Egyptian photojournalist Shawkan finally free after over 5 years in jail
Washington, D.C., March 4, 2019–Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, also known as Shawkan, was today released from prison after spending over five years in detention on anti-state charges, according to a post from his Twitter account. According to news reports, Shawkan said he was officially approved for release on Sunday night but held by police…
Egypt sentences photojournalist Shawkan to five years
Washington, D.C., September 8, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned an Egyptian court’s sentencing of photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, also known as “Shawkan,” to five years in prison, and called on authorities to release him immediately and remove any restriction on his release on appeal.
Mahmoud Abou Zeid (Shawkan)
CPJ welcomes the release of Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, also known as Shawkan, on March 4, 2019, after over five and a half years of arbitrary detention on anti-state charges. Despite walking out of jail, Shawkan is still not entirely free. For five years, the photojournalist will have to appear at a police station…
CPJ Newsletter: We fight back against defamation, highlight impunity in India, and host an exhibit on Shawkan’s works
September edition IOC creates mechanism for journalist complaints after CPJ consultation In early August, we welcomed the creation of a press freedom complaints mechanism by the International Olympic Committee. The move followed years of advocacy with the IOC by CPJ and other rights groups to do more to hold governments that host the Olympic Games…
The price of photography: Shawkan, 1000+ days behind bars
“My passion is photography, but I am paying the price for my passion with my life” — Mahmoud Abou Zeid “Shawkan” New York, August 23, 2016 – The Committee to Protect Journalists, in partnership with the Bronx Documentary Center, will showcase the work of Egyptian freelance photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, who has…
Justice delayed for Egyptian photojournalist Shawkan
New York, February 5, 2016 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by the prolonged trial of photographer Mahmoud Abou Zeid, who has been in jail for more than 900 days. Abou Zeid, also known as Shawkan, was due in court Saturday along with more than 700 defendants who are being tried on…