Lina Attalah’s trial marks what rights groups have described as a dangerous escalation in Cairo’s crackdown on press freedom. (EPA Images pic)BRUSSELS: The EU on Thursday urged Egypt to protect independent media outlets after the trial of a prominent Egyptian journalist and the order to close the news website Mada Masr.

Egyptian authorities detained Lina Attalah for several hours on Tuesday after a court fined her EGP3 million (US$53,500) for operating the leading independent website Mada Masr without a licence.

Her trial marks what rights groups have described as a dangerous escalation in Cairo's crackdown on press freedom.

"Egypt's laws recognise the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which is a fundamental right," EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.