Egyptian photojournalist released after 5 years in prison

The Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known primarily as Shawkan, was arrested in 2013 during a sit-in by the Muslim Brotherhood against the removal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

Released Monday at dawn, the photojournalist returned to his parents’ home in Cairo, but he must undergo a strict judicial review for five years. He has to sleep at the police station in his neighborhood every night.

In a mass trial held last September, Mahmoud Abu Zeid was found guilty of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood revolt and sentenced to five years in prison, a sentence he had already served. But he denies any support for the Brotherhood to which Mr. Morsi belongs.

“The long-awaited release of Mahmoud Abu Zeid puts an end to a painful ordeal for him and his family,” said Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International’s director in the Middle East and North Africa.

“As a prisoner of conscience, he should never have been forced to spend a single minute behind bars, let alone five and a half years,” said Bounaim.

“I will continue my work as a photojournalist,” said Mahmoud Abou Zeid, 31.