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Appeals court upholds blogger's conviction for "insulting Islam and president"

(HRinfo/IFEX) - On 12 March 2007, the Alexandria Appeals Court affirmed the first degree court's sentence of four years' imprisonment for Egyptian blogger Abdel Kareem Suliman Amer for "insulting Islam and the president of Egypt".

The decision taken by the Appeals Court was unexpected. It is a setback for freedom of expression in Egypt, and contradicts international covenants guaranteeing the right to freedom of expression and promises made by President Hosny Mubarak to not have any writer imprisoned for his or her opinions.

The defense team - Hesham Mubarak Center for Law, Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and Hamdi Al-Assiouti - presented its argument before the Alexandria demeanor appeals court. The team said the sentence of the first degree court was in violation of Egyptian laws. The sentence was passed in accordance to articles that were amended in the penal code. In addition, the sentence is in violation of 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's 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 said the court's decision confirms 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 commitment to continue supporting Kareem Amer and all opinion holders, continuing the battle to lift all restrictions on freedom of expression.

For further information contact Gamal Eid, Executive Director, HRinfo, Apartment 10, No. 5, Street 105, from Midan al Hurriya, al Maadi, Cairo, Egypt, tel/fax: +202 524 9544, e-mail: info@hrinfo.net, gamal4eid@yahoo.com, Internet: http://www.hrinfo.net/en