EGYPT: Al Jazeera English correspondent detained in Cairo
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Al Jazeera says a correspondent for its English-language network was detained by the Egyptian military Sunday.
The Qatar-based news network called for the immediate release of Ayman Mohyeldin, an Emmy-nominated journalist who it said was detained near Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government protests.
[Updated at 3:23PST: Mohyeldin was released seven hours later, the network said.]
Journalists have been repeatedly targeted while covering the unrest. Dozens have been detained or attacked by pro-government mobs in recent days.
On Friday, Al Jazeera said one of its Cairo offices was set on fire and two of its employees were arrested. The previous week, it said its journalists had their press credentials revoked and nine were detained. Satellite providers across the region have also blocked the network’s signal.
Government officials have blamed foreigners and the opposition Muslim Brotherhood for the unrest. But they said that there is no policy to target foreign media and that violence against journalists is unacceptable.
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