Cairo, April 3, 2010

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information strongly denounced today the Egyptian SSI raiding the house of publisher Ahmed Mahanna the director of “Dowin” for publication and distribution. Mahanna was arrested this morning due to the publication of a book titled “ElBaradei And The Dream of The Green Revolution” by Kamal Gobrial.

SSI  raided Mahanna’s house at dawn today, searched it all upside down for copies of the book , despite that the book is in the  market a week ago.

Since being kidnapped, Mahanna cannot be traced so far . Nothing has been declared about arrest reason , charges against him or whether he would be tried or not.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said, “The housebreaking  of a publisher and arresting him  for a book about  ElBaradei  in such ambiguous way without giving reasons or  declaring charges is a serious violation of freedom of opinion and expression. It clearly shows the intention of the government to gag  all dissenting voices as well as those supporting  ElBaradei and the National Assembly of change” .

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information demands the Egyptian government to stop  harassing and violating opponents’ right to freedom of opinion and expression .

The government should  reveal the whereabouts of the publisher Ahmed Mahanna  immediately and declare the reason for which SSI arrested him. ANHRI requests Mahanna’s immediate release and holding accountable those responsible for raiding his house and kidnapping him.

On the other hand, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information demands  the public prosecutor to conduct an investigation about both  confiscation of the book and abduction of the publisher.