Re: Egypt - Military court sends blogger to prison for 3 years for criticism
hat tip Zeinobia who was helpful in the past in reporting bird flu infections in Egypt -
Monday, April 11, 2011
Regarding Maikel Nabil’s sentence : It pours
Maikel Nabil has been sentenced today 3 years in jail in front of a military court allegedly
for that blog post. “Here
is the English translation” His main charge is spreading lies about the army concerning the torture and abuse that happened on March 9th and at the Egyptian museum. The sentence was made without his knowledge or the knowledge of his lawyers.
What I am scared and worried from that the charges Nabil faced can apply to all bloggers including me who criticize and report violations in their blogs about the army. I understand professionally that you can’t just criticize or rather accuse “in case of Nabil” these dangerous accusations of torture except with vital evidences especially now like photos and videos with testimonies.
“Ironically there are video clips for victims allegedly tortured at the Egyptian museum and up till now the SAFC has not yet announced the results of his investigations regarding these allegations”
Now I am worried that I will face similar charges now when I write anything about the SAFC or the army.
Most of the people online say that this sentence means that we can’t criticize the army and expose corruption , some even went a little bit far and claimed that it is the end of blogging in Egypt and nobody is safe !!!!!! I do not remember when blogging in Egypt was safe actually !!? This sentence for sure comes at the climax of that terrible events taking place since last Friday between activists and the SAFC.
Those who know very well
the history of Maikel Nabil with the army itself not with the council , will know that it is not about the post but rather about that old history. Nabil hates and despises the Egyptian army from the beginning because of his beliefs which you may agree or disagree with.It seems that that post was the last straw.
Now regarding the mainstream media’s coverage , do not wait for any solidarity not for fear of the army but because of Nabil’s views about Israel and the Egyptian army. The Egyptian people love its army regardless of what some of our revolutionaries believe and they also hate Israel in case you forget this, Nabil’s blog was not deleted for no reason for I am afraid. It will be hard to make it public opinion and freedom of expression case as many Egyptian bloggers know and are afraid to speak. His case is similar to Abdel Karim Amar by the way.
I do not agree with many of Nabil’s views and I am not alone but this court rule is against my rights as a blogger , it is like what
Tarek Shalaby tweeted , it summarized everything.
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