By Emad Shahin, American University in Cairo As I write this, 20 journalists – including several al-Jazeera reporters – are on trial in Cairo on charges of spreading disinformation and abetting terrorists. Their alleged crime includes operating without proper accreditation and conspiring with the Muslim Brotherhood, now a proscribed organisation, to tarnish Egypt’s international reputation. Some of them have been locked up for more than six weeks. This episode highlights a dangerous state of affairs in Egypt, which is going through an unprecedented period of suppression of fundamental civil rights and a severe stifling of freedom of expression and press. Following the military coup of 3 July, the new regime has shown little tolerance for dissent or peaceful protest. The massive crackdown against the supporters of former president Mohamed Morsi expanded to include many voices that oppose military rule. Taking advantage of the absence of an elected legislative body, the coup regime has used with full impunity draconian laws and repressive measures against journalists, academics and peaceful protesters. The coup leader assured his officers in what became known as Sisi-leaks that no one would be held accountable for any brutality…
