Egyptian blogger gets 4 years in prison for insulting Islam

[Doondoo]

An Egyptian blogger was jailed for four years yesterday after being convicted of insulting Islam and Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak. Abdel Karim Suleiman, 22, a former law student, was the first blogger to stand trial in Egypt for his internet writings. He was charged in connection with eight articles written since 2004.

Rights groups and opposition bloggers said they feared it could set a legal precedent, limiting internet freedom in Egypt.

Amnesty International said: "This is yet another slap in the face of freedom of expression in Egypt." It added that it considered Suleiman to be a prisoner of conscience, jailed for peacefully expressing his opinion. The Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders said the sentence was "a disgrace" and the UN should disqualify Egypt from hosting an internet governance forum in 2009.

.......


Suleiman, a Muslim who has been in custody since November, had not denied writing the articles but said they merely represented his own views.

One of Suleiman's articles said al-Azhar in Cairo, one of the most prominent seats of Sunni Muslim learning, was promoting extreme ideas. Another described some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad as "terrorists". A third likened Mr Mubarak to dictatorial pharaohs who ruled ancient Egypt.


http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=288092007

[ck4829]

1. But... but... but... Egypt is one of our bestest allies in the War on Terror

Or so Bush would say.

[Dracos]

2. So much for spreading democracy

in the middle east.Another great reason for separation of religion & state.

[msongs]

3. the truth will NOT set you free evidently nt