An award-winning Egyptian photojournalist, Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, was released today after spending over five years in prison.

A post on his Twitter account says he is free, with a picture of him on the street.

Shawkan had been in jail since August 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering a demonstration in Cairo by supporters of deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

He was accused of being part of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood which Egyptian authorities had declared a terrorist organisation.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in August, but his release was expected since he had already served over five years in pre-trial detention.

In the same case, 75 people were sentenced to death for participating in the sit-in.

Shawkan in April won the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize.

In 2016, he also received the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

You may be interested

Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent
Sports
1 views
Sports
1 views

Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent

Webby - November 16, 2024

Former Falconets forward Opeyemi Ajakaye has joined USL Super League club, Carolina Ascent FC on loan.Ajakaye linked up with Carolina…

Orban’s Lyon Face Provisional Relegation To Ligue 2 Amid Financial Woes
News
1 views
News
1 views

Orban’s Lyon Face Provisional Relegation To Ligue 2 Amid Financial Woes

Webby - November 15, 2024

Olympique Lyon the club of Nigerian striker Gift Orban, have been handed a provisional Ligue 1 relegation by theDNCG who…

Ghana Miss Out On AFCON 2025 Qualification After Draw With Angola
News
1 views
News
1 views

Ghana Miss Out On AFCON 2025 Qualification After Draw With Angola

Webby - November 15, 2024

Black Stars of Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s AFCON was ended after they played a 1-1 draw away…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.