Anadolu Agency condemns raid of office in Cairo

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency condemned on Wednesday a raid on its office in Egypt's capital Cairo and the detention of employees.

"We strongly condemn Egypt's police raid to Anadolu Agency Cairo Office," the news agency said in a statement.

"We call on national and international press organizations to react and take action regarding this violation of both human rights and press freedom," it added.

Egyptian police raided Anadolu Agency's Cairo office and detained four of its employees on Tuesday evening. The employees were taken to an unknown location.

In the statement, Anadolu Agency stressed that Egyptian police had shut down security cameras and cut the internet following the raid.

"Security forces searched the office until the morning hours, confiscated employees' passports, mobile phones and computers while prevented them from contacting outside," it said.

"The reason of the raid was not disclosed despite Anadolu Agency's information request made by its lawyers," said the statement, adding that the attitude of the Egyptian police towards the agency's journalists was "unacceptable".

It demanded Egyptian authorities immediately release its employees.

Turkey strongly condemned the raid, urging the immediate release of the employees, who include one Turkish citizen.