Journalism Is Not a Crime

Oct. 24: A Visit with Shawkan

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

Update, October 24/25, 2016: Two sources confirmed to me this afternoon that the father of Mahmoud Abou Zeid, the Egyptian photographer known as “Shawkan,” saw him in prison on Monday, October 24. Shawkan is safe and is at present located at the Tora Investigation Complex, which is a different part of the prison in which he had been held prisoner most recently during his three-year-plus ordeal.

Some background: Shawkan’s brother, Mehmet, visited Tora Prison to see his brother last week, at which time he was informed that Shawkan was not at the prison. (Mehmet confirmed this himself to this website and to other publications.) This was the first time that anyone had learned of Shawkan’s transfer. To the best that I have been able to ascertain, even Shawkan’s lawyers had not been contacted in advance or advised about any changes in Shawkan’s status.
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Oct. 22: Where is Shawkan?

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

Update, October 21/22, 2016: A source close to Mahmoud Abou Zeid, the Egyptian photographer known as “Shawkan,” reported to me today that there is less that is known with certainty about Shawkan’s whereabouts than what has been reported in the media in the last 48 hours, including in this website.

What is known this Friday night/Saturday morning is that when Shawkan’s brother, Mehmet, visited Tora Prison to see his brother earlier this week, he was informed that Shawkan was not at the prison. (Mehmet confirmed that himself to this website and to other publications.) This was the first time that anyone had learned of Shawkan’s transfer. To the best that I have been able to ascertain, even Shawkan’s lawyers had not been contacted in advance or advised about any changes in Shawkan’s status.

It is understood that about 300 prisoners were moved from Tora Prison recently (even the date is not yet known) and Shawkan is believed to be one of the prisoners. Because no one has been in contact with Shawkan himself, it is not known where he is tonight: he could be back in Tora Prison or still be at another location.
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Oct. 20: An Update About Shawkan

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

Update, October 20, 2016: Yesterday in this space I reported that Mehmet Abu Zeid, brother of Mahmoud Abou Zeid, the Egyptian photographer known as “Shawkan,” reported that when he visited the jail where his brother is being held, he was informed that his brother is not at the jail.

Mehmet told my source that Shawkan was taken to a facility outside or near Tora Prison for “investigations,” which is his word. He has since been returned to Tora Prison.
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