Egyptian Blogger Detained for Objecting to SCAF Investigation

After Barack Obama called on Egypt’s military to lift emergency law and end military trials for civilians last week, Alaa Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian blogger and activist, was detained for 15 days after being accused of inciting violence against Coptic Christians that killed more than two dozen people. Abdel Fattah and Bahaa Saber, a co-defendant, were detained after both activists refused to answer the army prosecutor’s questions. Abdel Fattah’s sister claimed, ”He was arrested because the military are trying to find someone else to blame for the massacre that happened on the ninth of October.” Saber added that he and Abdel Fatah attended the military’s summons on Sunday “convinced that the military has no right to intervene in judicial matters,” adding that the proceeding ”was humiliating and unacceptable. This is an unjust escalation by the military. I will not be silenced nor intimidated, and I don’t think people will be silent either.”

An editorial in The National of the UAE suggests that the Egyptian “revolution is evaporating before their eyes” due to SCAF interference. Meanwhile, the trial of ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak was adjourned until December 28 to “allow time for a separate court to decide whether to change the judges presiding over his case.” Additionally, Yasmine Gado discusses if Egypt should be held responsible for the $30 billion debt incurred under Mubarak’s reign considering the vast wealth the Mubarak family accumulated.