An Egyptian court released the author of a book about the country’s economy a week after he was arrested for questioning on charges of publishing false news, he said.
Abdul Khalik Farouk’s arrest on October 21 was the latest in a campaign against journalists, rights activists and government critics that have drawn wide condemnation from international rights groups.
Days before Farouk’s arrest, local media reported draft copies of his book, “Is Egypt Really a Poor Country?”, which includes criticism of government’s economic policies, were seized by authorities from a publisher.
Farouk said a court in southern Cairo ordered him and the owner of the print shop that published his book, released. They were released from a local police station after the hearing.
Farouk described his arrest as part “of a campaign against freedom of expression” and said the confiscation of his book was an act of “security intimidation” illegal under Egyptian law.
Two local newspapers earlier reported Farouk’s release.
Since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power in 2014, Egypt has seen a crackdown on dissent activists say is unprecedented in the country’s modern history.
Sisi supporters say he is working to keep Egypt stable after years of political and economic turmoil following a 2011 popular uprising.
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