2014 prison census - Egypt: Mahmoud Abou Zeid (Shawkan)

Abou Zeid, a freelance photographer, was detained while covering clashes between Egyptian security forces and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi during the dispersal of the pro-Morsi sit-in at Rabaa Al-Adawiya in Cairo, according to news reports.

Abou Zeid has contributed to the U.K.-based citizen journalism site and photo agency Demotix and the digital media company Corbis. After his detention, Demotix sent a letter to the Egyptian authorities confirming that Abou Zeid had been covering the clashes for the agency, the photographer's brother, Mohamed Abou Zeid, told CPJ.

Abou Zeid was first detained by police and held in Cairo stadium with other protesters and foreign correspondents who were released the same day.

In September 2013, the Egyptian general prosecutor's office extended the journalist's pre-trial detention, accusing him of weapons possession, illegal assembly, murder, and attempted murder, the journalist's brother, Mohamed Abou Zeid, told CPJ. The same allegations were levied against hundreds of protesters detained during the clashes. As of late 2014, no official charges had been filed against him. Human rights groups said Abou Zeid's health had deteriorated in prison.

After Morsi's ouster on July 3, 2013, the military-supported government detained dozens of local and international journalists. Most have been freed.

Mohamed told CPJ that Abou Zeid's lawyer and the legal team at the Arab Network for Human Rights Information had appealed for his release. The appeal was denied. The journalist is being held at Tora Prison.