ANKARA
The following statement was needed to be made upon the allegations in some media organs in Arab countries, especially in Egypt, that Cairo office of Anadolu Agency (AA) was closed and its staff were taken into custody:
AA is an international news agency that broadcasts in 6 languages in 55 countries and has 1,200 personnel from 15 different nations. We meticulously comply with the laws in each country which we are in.
AA has been in Egypt for eight years. AA established regional directorates of Middle East and Africa in Cairo in 2012.
The largest office and human resources abroad is in Cairo.
Cairo office was opened with the unanimous approval of relevant government institutions, including the Ministry of Information.
Egyptian security forces carried out a number of inspections on August 29, 2013 at about 16:00 hours at AA's regional office in Cairo.
During the inspections in the presence of AA's lawyer, security forces were informed especially on the matters such as work permits and live broadcast tools and equipments.
They were provided every convenience and presented all demanded documents and information.
Any deficiency could not be found as a result of the investigation in the regional office.
Security forces, who carried out the inspections, invited one of our administrators to respond to the questions after completing their studies in the office.
As a result of the interview, the issue was passed to prosecution by claiming that the Regional Directorate lacked work permit while the prosecution asked for the completion of the required documents.
AA's lawyer declared that the Regional Directorate was opened according to the Egyptian laws and fulfilled all legal procedures on the official date of opening.
After all, it was stated that the required document would be obtained from the relevant ministry and presented to the prosecution in the first business day (September 1, Sunday).
During the inspections in Cairo Regional Directorate, any situation contrary to the laws of Egypt could not be found.
The allegations in some Arab media organs that "AA's Cairo office was closed and its staff were taken into custody" are groundless.
The office is open and the staff is on duty.
Anadolu Agency complies with the laws of the state in which it is represented.
AA carries out its works and legal presence in accordance with those countries' laws.
AA's legal status in Egypt is the same as many international news agencies.
Hence, AA has been continuing its news production for 8 years without any hindrance or handicap of Egyptian government.
At any time thereafter, AA, to carry out its works within the framework of laws, will continue broadcasting in Egypt in the direction of principles of being "Reliable, Objective, Ethical, Fast".
Yours Respectfully
