|
Our Reports
The Internet In the Arab World
A New Space of Repression?
No Rules, No Limits
United Arab Emirates:
Freedom of expression is missing despite a decision banning imprisonment for press crimes
|
|
|
A Known Blogger Targeted for Blatant Violations , Now, A Victim of Impunity. After Seizing Wael Abbas’ Laptop At The Airport, Investigation with Officer Assaulting him at Home Halted.
Cairo , 28/10/2009
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, ANHRI, said today,that the general prosecutor decided to conclude the complaint filed by the known blogger Wael Abbas in April 2009, after being physically assaulted by a police officer and his brother. The investigation was closed allegedly due to lack of evidence ,despite the presence of three medical reports including the forensic medical report documenting the injuries inflicted on Abbas and although one of his front teeth got broken.
The police officer Ashraf Aglan, of the emergency department, and his brother Ahmed Aglan, broke into Wael Abbas’ house in “Hadayeq Alqobba” district in Cairo in April 2009, they beat him up causing several body injuries and a broken front tooth.
The officer used his connections to enable his brother to file a complete report against Abbas accusing him of assault. However, Abbas managed to file his complaint as well.
On 11/4/2009, the prosecution heard testimonies of Abbas, his mother, the officer and his brother. The prosecution then decided to release Abbas and the officer and his brother were released as well after paying a financial guarantee of LE200 for each .
A few days ago, the prosecution concluded the investigation allegedly due to lack of evidence.
The Arabic Network expressed concern of the decision of the prosecution to terminate investigations despite the presence of three medical reports recording Abbas’s injuries.
This decision comes in a series of attacks against Wael Abbas, due to campaigns that he launches via his famous blog "Egyptian Awareness - http://misrdigital. blogspirit.com ",monitoring many torture crimes in Egypt.
Earlier, Abbas was subjected to an unfair smear campaign by a senior police officer, General Ahmed Dia El-Din, who, instead of being punished for the unjust accusations against Abbas and for insulting him on television programs, falsely defaming him, the Egyptian government appointed him governor of Minya.
Wael Abbas has become a target for frequent harassments at Cairo airport upon his departure and arrival. Starting with illegal seizure of his laptop three months ago, having the laptop missing till this date, confiscating some of his belongings once more in September 2009: CDs, PC storage media and a digital camera and ending with abusing and threatening him each time he sets foot in Cairo Airport.
Wael Abbas stated to the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information," I was under the impression that the prosecution general will protect me from the unfair practices of the ministry of the interior. However , the silence of prosecution regarding me being robbed by police officers at the airport by seizing my laptop, although I submitted formal complaint, and now concluding my complaint against the officer who attacked me , after six months of investigations despite the injury that still shows on my face, this silence makes me wonder, to whom may we complain? Who is implementing justice in Egypt? "
ANHRI said, "at the time many international credible human rights and media organizations award Wael Abbas, for his bravery and for disclosing many incidents of torture and corruption in Egypt, the ministry of interior has resorted to practicing punitive and libelous measures against him as well as physical attacks and illegal seizure of his belongings.
We believe that these practices will not stop because Wael Abbas will not stop writing in support of freedom of expression and pro democracy movement.
As we support Abbas’s right to express and criticize , we call on all organizations defending freedom of expression in Egypt and worldwide to support this courageous blogger, urging the Egyptian government to stop the arbitrary practices against him, and to open fair and transparent investigations regarding the violations which Abbas has suffered by the officers of the ministry of interior".
|
|
