Cairo: An editor of an Egyptian newspaper has resigned in protest against the killing of a reporter during clashes between police and backers of the ousted Islamist president Mohammad Mursi.
“The reason of the resignation is the martyrdom of my colleague Mayada Ashraf,” Essam Nabawi, the editor of the independent daily Al Dostour was quoted on Sunday as saying.
Mayada, 22, was shot dead more than a week ago while covering the violence in the Cairo district of Ain Shams. She died of gunshot injuries to the head, according to medical authorities.
Her death has brought to 11 the number of journalists killed in Egypt since a 2011 uprising overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak.
Police accused the pro-Mursi protesters of “targeting” Mayada, who was a vocal critic of Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood. The group has vehemently denied the accusation. “My resignation is final and irrevocable. My work with Al Dostour has come to an end with the death of my colleague,” Nabawi added.
Mayada’s killing has angered journalists in Egypt, who say they are the victims of the political turmoil that has gripped the country since the military deposed Mursi in July last year following enormous street protests against his troubled one-year rule.
On Friday, dozens of photojournalists staged a one-day strike to protest lack of on-job protection. The Press Syndicate has said it asked the Defence Ministry to offer protection gear to reporters. The union also plans training for the reporters assigned covering street violence.
