Skip to main content

This blogger wanted to bring Egypt's treasures to a locked down public. He was arrested

Wael Abbas has been posting free virtual tours for people under coronavirus lockdown, but the Egyptian authorities had other ideas
Wael Abbas has created the Planet Egypt page on Facebook to post free virtual tours of major Egyptian touristic attractions (Facebook/@PlanetEgypt360)

With Egypt and much of the world locked down under the threat of coronavirus, Wael Abbas has sought to bring his country's natural and cultural treasures to an isolated public through virtual tours.

On Monday his efforts were brought to a sudden halt when he was briefly detained while taking photos in the Wadi Degla natural reserve in Cairo.

According to Abbas, a former activist and journalist, he left Qatameya police station on Monday evening after hours of detention, along with a number of people who were taking part in a trip to the nature spot.

'I don’t know why the state is literally trying to destroy me and scare people off me, instead of helping me with my new and beneficial work that supports tourism and entertains people'

- Wael Abbas

Abbas said he was falsely accused of posting photos of individuals online without a permit, and that he had been “demonised” by authorities. 

“I have been mistreated and discriminated against because I am a former political activist, although I have stopped my activism,” he said in a Facebook post. 

New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch

Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

He added that his phone and camera have been confiscated, unlike other people who were detained with him, and he was detained separately. His request for medicine had been ignored, he said. 

“My car was searched as if I was a drug dealer… all because I have a camera.”

The virtual tour creator said he regretted that authorities still target him, despite his attempt to support the country’s tourism. 

“I don’t know why the state is literally trying to destroy me and scare people off me, instead of helping me with my new and beneficial work that supports tourism and entertains people.”

Following his release from prison in December 2018, Abbas created the popular Planet Egypt page on Facebook, displaying some of Egypt's most popular and beautiful sites. He had served seven months in custody on various charges, including “spreading false news”, a common charge levelled against critics of the government. 

Prior to his arrest in 2018, Abbas had documented torture and police brutality in Egypt through his blog and social media accounts since 2004, receiving many international awards for his work.

Following the countrywide curfew imposed by Egyptian authorities last month to contain the spread of coronavirus, Abbas posted a list of free virtual reality tours and panoramic pictures of major tourist attractions for people to enjoy while staying at home, particularly during the Coptic Easter holidays last weekend. 

The government has closed all public parks and suspended public transportation and rail services during the Sham El-Nessim holiday on Monday to reduce crowds. A nighttime curfew is in place until 23 April.

Below are 10 virtual experiences Abbas shared before Easter, including ancient Egyptian sites as well as some of Cairo's iconic mosques, churches and cafes. All pictures were taken before the lockdown. 

Djoser Pyramid

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/390881628374461?__tn__=K-R

Sphinx

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/398574087605215?__tn__=K-R

Mosque of Mohamed Ali

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/633649607430994?__tn__=K-R

St Barbara Church

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/383001479162476?__tn__=K-R

Khan el-Khalili souk

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/375114683284489?__tn__=K-R

El-Fishawy cafe 

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/372263953569562?__tn__=K-R

Cave of the Holy Family

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/photos/a.368233790639245/384902705639020/?type=3&theater

The Bent Pyramid

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/376677366461554

The Hanging Church

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/382959692499988

El-Hussein Mosque

https://www.facebook.com/planetegypt360/posts/375113093284648

 

Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.