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Appeal court affirms Kareem Amer's imprisonment
Freedom of Expression in Danger Cairo, 12 March 2007 The Alexandria Appeals Court affirmed today the 4 years imprisonment of Egyptian blogger, Abdel Kareem Suliman Amer, passed by the first degree court for insulting Islam and the president of Egypt. The decision taken by the Appeals Court was unexpected as it is a setback to freedom of expression in Egypt, and a contradiction to international covenants guaranteeing the right to freedom of expression and promises made by president Mubarak to not have any writer imprisoned for his/her opinions. The defense team (Hesham Mubarak Center for Law, Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, and Hamdi Al-Assiouti) presented its defense argument before the Alexandria demeanor appeals court. The team confirmed that the sentence of the first degree court was in violation to Egyptian laws. The sentence was passed in accordance to articles that were amended in the penal code. In addition, the sentence is in violation to the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, which Egypt has ratified. Furthermore, what is considered by the court as an insult to the president does not exceed permissible criticism. The Appeals court affirmation of the sentence was not the only surprise. The court accepted a Hisba case (an Islamic tradition to have civil suits raised by individuals who have no relation to the main case), which was rejected by the first degree court. The Hisba is considered a threat to all opinion holders. The defence team finds the court's decision a consolidation of the deteriorated state of human rights, especially freedom of expression, in Egypt. The team confirmed that they will be taking the case to the court of cessation. The team and organisations defending freedom of expression confirm their insistence to continue supporting Kareem Amer and all opinion holders, continuing its battle to lift all restrictions on freedom of expression. |
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