The Egyptian government, like several other governments in the region, has been harassing bloggers, arresting them in trump up charges and doing its best to limit freedom of expression. This is just the last example. Please contact the Egyptian embassy in your country and complain about this.
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The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI)
deplores the fabrication of political lawsuits by state security organs,
particularly in the province of Fayoum, where officials have created new
charges against bloggers. The most recent charge was brought against Ahmed
Mohsen, a blogger who writes the Open Your Eyes blog (
http://eyestillopen.blogspot.com). He has been accused of “exploiting the
democratic climate prevailing in the country to overthrow the regime.”
On 23 April 2009, state security forces broke into Mohsen’s house in the
city of Fayoum and searched it, but were surprised to find that the blogger
had months ago moved to Minya province to work and had not returned to
Fayoum since. Officer Amr Alhumaili, not wanting to be reprimanded for
submitting false information to his superiors, called the blogger and told
him to come to Fayoum or they would bring him from Minya. The blogger
travelled back to the city and headed directly to the Fayoum public
prosecution, where he was charged with attempting to overthrow the
government. On 29 April, he was imprisoned for 15 days pending
investigation.
“It is normal for a state security officer to tell lies, but when the
public prosecution believes this lie and approves the imprisonment of a
young blogger for ‘exploitation of the democratic climate’, this is black
comedy. What democracy did this young man exploit?” said ANHRI.
“Through this statement, we notify the Minister of the Interior that your
state security officer, Amr Alhumaili, lied to you and fabricated the
record of inquiry against the young blogger, who did not have anything to
do with the city of Fayoum several months ago. Will the Minister of the
Interior punish the officer or he will turn a blind eye on the whole issue
and keep silent on the imprisonment of an innocent young man?” asked ANHRI.
For further information contact Gamal Eid, Executive Director, ANHRI,
Building No. 19, Suite 55, 26 of July St., Downtown Cairo, Egypt, tel/fax:
+20 227 736 177, e-mail: info@anhri.net, gamaleid@anhri.net, Internet:
http://www.anhri.net