June 4, 2013, New York--The Committee to Protect Journalists is dismayed by today's conviction of 43 individuals affiliated with international nonprofit organizations on charges of working illegally in Egypt. CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour was sentenced to two years in prison based on the work he did with Freedom House, prior to joining CPJ.
"We stand fully with Sherif Mansour and will support him in his efforts to secure justice for himself and the other defendants," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. "We trust that this unjust verdict will be reversed on appeal."
The case dates back to 2011 when Egyptian authorities raided the offices of 17 NGOs and accused them of operating illegally and receiving foreign funding without approval. At the time, Mansour was working for Freedom House. He joined CPJ in fall 2012.
