Head of Egypt's journalists union to stand trial

Prosecutors on Monday referred the head of Egypt's journalists union and two board members to trial after they were formally charged with spreading false news and harbouring journalists wanted by authorities.

A statement by the Cairo prosecution office said their trial would begin on Saturday.

The three were questioned for hours by prosecutors on Sunday night. On Monday, they refused to post bail of $1 000 each and were detained at a police station in central Cairo, Khaled el-Balshy, one of the board members facing prosecution, and defense lawyer Sayed Abu Zeid told The Associated Press.

The prosecution office said the three were released late on Monday without posting bail. The three journalists could face prison if convicted.