Egypt: Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah Detained for 15 Days

This post is part of our special coverage Egypt Revolution 2011.

Activist and blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah has been detained for 15 days, after refusing to be interrogated by the Military Prosecutor, in protest against its legitimacy.

He appeared at the Military Prosecutor, along with fellow activist Bahaa Saber, today as supporters gathered outside, denouncing military trials. Since January 28, more than 12,000 civilians have been tried by military courts in Egypt. Abd El Fattah has since been transferred to prison, while Saber will soon be released.

Both activists were imprisoned in 2006 under Hosni Mubarak's regime.

Sharif Kouddous notes:

@sharifkouddous: Unbelievable. @alaa and Bahaa get 15 days detention sparking outrage from supporters outside

Bahaa Saber, left, and Alaa Abd El Fattah outside the court earlier today. Photo by Sharif Kouddous

Lawyer Gamal Eid tweets the allegations against Alaa, Bahaa and Mina Daniel, who was killed in the October 9 Maspero massacre. He writes [ar]:

الاتهامات الموجهة للنشطاء: التحريض التجمهر والاستيلاء على سلاح للقوات المسلحة ، واتلاف منشأت عسكرية

@gamaleid: The activists are accused of: instigating gatherings, overtaking the armed forces weapons and damaging military equipment

He adds:

علاء سيف رفض التحقيق من النيابة العسكرية باعتبارها تابعة للجيش ، والجيش نفسه متهم في الجريمة وبالتلي لا يجوز لمتهم ان يحقق مع متهم أخ

@gamaleid: Alaa Seif refused to be interrogated by the Military Prosecutor because it is part of the army and the army itself is accused in the crime. It is illegal for an accused to interrogate another accused party

Alaa's sister Mona Seif notes [ar]:

علاء و بهاء موقفهم كان قوي لأنهم رفضوا يعترفوا بشرعية النيابة العسكرية

@Monasosh: Alaa and Bahaa's stance was strong because they refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the military prosecutor.

Mohamed Abdelfattah reacts:

@mfatta7: Salutations to the courage of @alaa as he refuses 2b interrogated by the military authority he is actually accusing.

Jonathan Rashad adds:

@JonathanRashad: It's kind of ironic to see @alaa facing mil prosecution fall 2011 when his sister @Monasosh has been fighting mil trials since spring 2011.

And Jonathan Moremi asks:

@Jonamorem: What about the promise not to try civilians in front of military court anymore, Tantawi? Is lying all #SCAF can do? #FreeAlaa #noMilTrials

Along with many others, Gigi Ibrahim is livid Daniel is among those accused. She tweets:

@Gsquare86: They killed Mina Daniel and he is dead and they are charging him of “inciting violence” ?!!! #WTF #SCAF has gone metal

At the time this post was published, Bahaa Saber was still being interrogated.

Mona Seif tweeted [ar]:

بهاء صابر لسة التحقيق معاه مأخلصش
@Monasosh: Bahaa Saber is still being interrogated. He is not done yet.

Further Reading:

Egyptian Blogger's Summons Adds Fuel to Campaign Against Military Trials

This post is part of our special coverage Egypt Revolution 2011.

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