The Schools that Chain Boys
Fath Alrhman Al-Hamdani
This investigation documented the systematic abuse of children attending Islamic schools in Sudan. Al-Hamdani managed to get in touch with some of the victims and their families, and he was able to interview one of the alleged perpetrators, using all available professional means, including the hidden camera.
His perseverance, persistence, and hard work on this story for more than three years led to uncovering the truth of this inhumane phenomenon and conveying it to the public.
Silver Award (A Split)
The Journey of Captagon from the Port of Latakia in Syria to the Ports of the World
Sameh Al-Labudi, Ahmed Ashour and Maher Al-Shaeri
The investigation of the “Noka” ship uncovered a criminal network of Captagon smuggling with links to the Assad family in Syria, a gang in Libya, and fake companies registered in London.
Syrian drugs...Smuggling to Libya Through Attair Network
Hamza Khader and Sami Ahmed (pseudonym)
This investigation revealed the smuggling network of hashish, Captagon, and other narcotic substances from Syria to Libya. Despite how dangerous it is to carry out investigations in these two countries, the two journalists were able to deepen their research to arrive at a logical and convincing presentation of an issue that has become a source of concern for societies and governments.
Bronze Award
Scorpion Prison Cells Above the Law: Covid-19 Puts the Lid on Egyptian Inmates and Their Families
Moayad Bilal (pseudonym)
This investigation shed light on the struggles of the families of Egyptian inmates detained in the “Scorpion” prison, one of the most notorious and maximum security prisons in Egypt, to obtain the right to meet their family members.
The investigation followed the tragedies and deaths that accompanied the ban on visits and sometimes the lack of communication between detainees and their lawyers, even when the judicial system ruled the ban’s decisions unconstitutional.
The journalist was able to provide documented testimonies to members of the detainees' families or their lawyers, and despite the risk that he himself might be arrested, he shed light on an issue that preoccupies the Egyptian public opinion and human rights organisations around the world.