Egypt says expelled British reporter had expired credentials

CAIRO – Egyptian authorities say a British journalist expelled from the country last month did not have valid accreditation and was filming without a permit.

The State Information Service said in a statement Sunday that The Times of London correspondent Bel Trew, expelled after being threatened with military trial, also covered Egypt unfairly and published false information.

The move comes as part of a heavy crackdown on media ahead of this week's presidential election, which President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is set to win after all serious competitors were arrested or intimidated.

Trew, who had been in Egypt for seven years, was expelled in late February after being arrested for reporting in Shoubra, a central Cairo district. The SIS said she had not applied for a temporary press card while awaiting her annual one.