Egypt: After Being Held For Nearly Two Months, Blogger Released Pending Trial
Reporters Without Borders hails Sunday’s decision by a state security court to release the blogger Alaa Abdelfattah from Cairo’s Bab el Khalk prison, where he spent nearly two months in pre-trial detention. The court has nonetheless banned him from leaving the country pending trial.
“We hope that this is a first step towards withdrawal of all the charges against Abdelfattah and recognition of his innocence,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The authorities must put a stop to the political trials of civilians and accept their own responsibility for the violence that has taken place during street protests.”
Arrested on 30 October on a charge of inciting violence against the armed forces during rioting in the Cairo district of Maspero, Abdelfattah is now charged with stealing a firearm belonging to a soldier, attacking military personnel, destroying military property, murder with premeditation and intending to commit a terrorist act. The date of his next hearing is not known.
Maikel Nabil Sanad, a blogger who was given a two-year jail sentence on 14 December, is still being held in an isolation cell. Reporters Without Borders reiterates its appeal to the authorities to free him without delay.
Like what you read?
Please consider supporting Eurasia Review. Thank you for your consideration!
