Egypt blogger jailed for 'insult'

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

An Egyptian court has sentenced a blogger to four years' prison for insulting Islam and the president.

Abdel Kareem Soliman's trial was the first time that a blogger had been prosecuted in Egypt.

He had used his web log to criticise the country's top Islamic institution, al-Azhar university and President Hosni Mubarak, whom he called a dictator.

A human rights group called the verdict "very tough" and a "strong message" to Egypt's thousands of bloggers.

Soliman, 22, was tried in his native city of Alexandria. He blogs under the name Kareem Amer.

A former student at al-Azhar, he called the institution "the university of terrorism" and accused it of suppressing free thought.

The university expelled him in 2006 and pressed prosecutors to put him on trial.

'Slap in the face'

During the five-minute court session the judge said Soliman was guilty and would serve three years for insulting Islam and inciting sedition, and one year for insulting Mr Mubarak.

Egypt arrested a number of bloggers who had been critical of the government during 2006, but they were all subsequently freed.

Hafiz Abou Saada of the Egyptian Human Rights Organisation called the sentence "a strong message to all bloggers who are put under strong surveillance".

The UK-based organisation Amnesty International said the ruling was "yet another slap in the face of freedom for expression in Egypt".

Fellow blogger Amr Gharbeia told the BBC it would not stop Egyptian bloggers from expressing opinions as "it is very difficult to control the blogosphere".

There have been no reported comments on the sentence from the Egyptian authorities.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6385849.stm

[Robor007 0]

Wow... I know we all (well some of us anyway ) like to point out what's wrong with the US but at least we have the freedom to do it. I hate Islam, Alah, Egypt, al-Azhar University, and President Hosni Mubarak the dictator!!!!! Ahhh, that felt good!

EDIT: Don't worry Mr. Bush... I still hate you too you bumbling chimp!!

Edited February 22, 2007 by Robor007

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

EDIT: Don't worry Mr. Bush... I still hate you too you bumbling chimp!!

And you won't be jailed for saying that.

[Robor007 0]

EDIT: Don't worry Mr. Bush... I still hate you too you bumbling chimp!!

And you won't be jailed for saying that.

Exactly!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Through this action, Mubarak revealed (admittedly, only to those born since 2007/01/01--those born 2006/12/31 and prior already know this) that he is a CF!

[Scott & Lai 12]

As consequences for that sort of thing go in that part of the world, the sentence is rather mild...

[Robor007 0]

As consequences for that sort of thing go in that part of the world, the sentence is rather mild...

That is true... Two words... Salman Rushdie

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Liberals in the US sentence haters to rehab. Ask Isiah Thomas or Tim Hardaway.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

As consequences for that sort of thing go in that part of the world, the sentence is rather mild...

I thought Egypt is supposed to be more tolerant than the rest?

[almaty 19]

Egypt , a friend of the USA.............

[Robor007 0]

Egypt , a friend of the USA.............

I'm detecting sarcasm...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

As consequences for that sort of thing go in that part of the world, the sentence is rather mild...

That is true... Two words... Salman Rushdie

Especially considering that Rushdie was never a citizen of any Middle-East country (he was born in Mumbai, and naturalised Limey).

[almaty 19]

Egypt , a friend of the USA.............

I'm detecting sarcasm...

you are correct sir>>>

[Scott & Lai 12]

I wonder what would have happened if Soliman had instead said something equally insulting toward Christianity or Judaism?

[almaty 19]

probably not a thing.. as it would not be a threat to the regime there