A leading independent Egyptian newspaper says its owner has fired its chief editor, a man known as an outspoken government critic.The paper, Al-Dustour did not disclose the reason for publisher Elseyed el-Badawi’s decision to fire editor Ibrahim Eissa.Eissa was sentenced to prison in 2008 on charges of insulting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak by publishing stories that said the 82-year old leader was in poor health. Mr. Mubarak later pardoned Eissa.
El-Badawi bought the newspaper in August. He is the leader of an opposition party expected to compete in parliamentary elections next month, despite calls by some opposition activists for a boycott of the vote.Rights groups accuse Egypt of restricting press freedom to curb criticism of the government – Voanews
