Australian journalist arrested in Egypt

Egyptian police have arrested an Australian freelance journalist on suspicion of paying Egyptians to stage protests against the authorities.

Security officials say Austin Mackell and his translator, Aliya Alwi, have been detained in the northern city of Mahalla.

The arrests took place on the same day activists staged student strikes to mark the first anniversary of Hosni Mubarak's overthrow as leader.

Ms Alwi has posted details of the arrest on her Twitter account, describing how three witnesses have given evidence against the pair.

"Charges brought against of inciting protest and vandalism. Witnesses have been produced to confirm it," Ms Aliwi tweeted before the transfer.

"We were now transferred to another police station, confused. Three witnesses testifying against are sitting across the room includes an eight year old."

She says they are being transferred to a military intelligence office in the nearby city of Tanta.

The pair were in Mahalla interviewing protesters taking part in February 11 demonstrations.

Earlier, the pair were faced with violence from locals.

"Our car got rocked and beaten against the glass, got called a whore and all sorts of things," Ms Alwi tweeted.

Egyptian authorities have repeatedly accused foreigners of stirring up unrest in Egypt, which has seen a spate of deadly protests in recent months.