Egyptian journalist killed covering clashes

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 29 March 2014

Mayada Ashraf, a journalist, was killed during protests in Cairo against President Sisi. The clashes highlight the ongoing tensions in Egypt after Morsi's ousting.

Summary

CAIRO: Five people including an Egyptian woman journalist were killed in Cairo Friday, March 28, as police clashed with Islamists protesting against ex-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's presidency bid, the interior ministry said.

The violence erupted in a deeply polarized Egypt as supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi took to the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and other cities to vent their anger at Sisi who overthrew the Islamist leader nine months ago.

Mayada Ashraf, who worked for privately owned Al-Dustour newspaper and freelanced for news website Masr Alarabia, was shot in the head while covering clashes in the northern neighborhood of Ein Shams, a security official told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Four more people were killed in the same violence and 11 others wounded by birdshot and live ammunition, the interior ministry said.

It said 79 Morsi supporters were arrested nationwide in possession of Molotov cocktails and fireworks.

In her last report published on Al-Dustour website, Ashraf said the clashes were pitting Morsi supporters against civilian opponents, adding the two sides traded fire with live ammunition and birdshot. It was unclear when her report was filed during the clashes, in which police later intervened.

A colleague from Masr Alarabia who was with her told AFP they split up as police clashed with protesters, and they went in different directions.

"I later called her telephone to check up on her but a protester answered, and said she had died with a bullet to the head," Mohamed Rabie said. - AFP

Photo courtesy: Ahram Online

KEY POINTS:

• Mayada Ashraf was shot while covering protests in Cairo.
• Clashes erupted between Morsi supporters and police.
• Five people, including Ashraf, were killed in the violence.
• 79 Morsi supporters were arrested with weapons.
• The protests reflect Egypt's political polarization.