Morsi Orders Complaints Against Journalists Withdrawn

President Morsi of Egypt has ordered that complaints filed by the Presidency against journalists be withdrawn in the name of freedom of expression. Morsi has been openly criticized by the US over complaints against journalists, threatening Egypt's negotiations with the IMF over its economic situation (somewhat alleviated by a pledge by Qatar to buy $3billion in Egyptian state bonds).

Others have also filed complaints against journalists; Morsi's action presumably only affects those filed by the Presidency. Morsi had sought to deny that he was personally behind the complaints, but his critics noted that they were initiated by the office of the Presidency, which of course he controls.