Egypt releases journalist Karim Asaad, detained over reporting on Zambia mystery plane

Egyptian journalist Karim Asaad, reportedly detained by plain-clothed security forces and taken to an undisclosed location over the weekend, has returned home less than 48 hours later.

Matsada2sh platform that Asaad works for expressed gratitude in a statement released on Sunday evening,20 August, to journalists' syndicate head Khaled El-Balshy and executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) Hossam Bahgat, both known for being long-time supporters of freedom of press and expression and vocal government critics, for their role in the release of Asaad.

The statement did not mention any further details, though.

"Furthermore, we are grateful to the community of journalists and human rights defenders who have supported us during the past days," the statement read.

It remains unclear where Asaad was held during that time; and whether he is facing any legal charges.

Plain-clothed security forces raided the east Cairo home of Asaad in the early hours of Saturday, reportedly assaulting him and his wife and threatening their child before confiscating their money, valuables and electronic devices, according to a statement released by Matsada2sh on social media.

Matsada2sh claimed to have been subject to Egyptian state harassment long before reporting on the identities of the Egyptians on board the cash-and-gold-laden plane.

On Friday, the fact-checking platform claimed to have unveiled the identities of Egyptians on board a private jet gold, money and weapons seized by the Zambian authorities earlier last week, making news headlines and fueling conspiracy theories.  

Egypt is among the world's most prolific jailers of journalists, with dozens imprisoned or in pre-trial detention. In April this year, Egypt listed 33 journalists on a new terrorism watch list.

Some 600 local and international news sites have also been blocked in Egypt, including Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Arabic-language sister company to The New Arab.