Egypt frees political detainees as part of reforms

[L. Coyote]

Source: Reuters, CAIRO, Mon Feb 8 2011 2:40 GMT

Egypt has released 34 political prisoners, the state news agency said on Tuesday, the first men set free since the government of President Hosni Mubarak promised reforms to quell a popular uprising.

... they had handed themselves over to the authorities after escaping from prison during several days of disorder last month.

... Human rights groups say it is not clear how many people are detained in Egypt for political activities, such as joining banned groups or planning or carrying out acts of violence, but they estimate them to be in their thousands.

Read more: http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE7171JM20110208

---

We shall see if this new concession/decree is for real. Buying more time?

=== Follow events here:

***** EGYPT Live Blog ***** Al Jazeera English, et.al. - Feb.8 *****
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x368756

=== Follow Tweets here:
Egyptian Revolution Tweets. Day 15, No To The Entire Regime, Part 4
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x372281

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Egypt 'frees political prisoners'

Source: Al Jazeera

The Egyptian government is reported to have freed 34 political prisoners in a move seen to be part of promised reforms aimed at ending anti-government protests.

"Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy issued an order today releasing 34 political detainees considered to be among the extremist elements, after evaluating their positions," the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA) said on Tuesday.

"They showed good intentions and expressed their desire to live peaceably with society."

The report added they had handed themselves over to the authorities after escaping from prison during several days of disorder last month.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201128153142101446.html

[dipsydoodle]

2. I think that's about 1 %

.