Hosni Mubarak in a Cage: A Symbolic day for Oppressors and the Oppressed

First Published in: Dunia Magazine

On 3 August 2011, Egyptians and the world watched in shock as Hosni Mubarak, the man who had ruled Egypt with an iron fist for almost 30 years, was wheeled into a Cairo, Egypt courtroom in a cage serving as a dock, to stand trial for crimes allegedly committed during his repressive reign. To most Egyptians and victims of oppression worldwide, this was a symbolic day; and one will remain edged in the minds of dictators and oppressors in Africa and the Middle East.

It is known that Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt for almost 30 years and was kicked out of office after the historic 18-day popular uprising that started when on 25 January 2011, Egyptians from all walks of life – Christians and Muslims, men, women and children – took to the streets of this beautiful and historic country, from Cairo to Alexandria, and other parts of the Land of the Pharaohs, demanding an end to ”emergency rule” and of 30 years of oppression. The 18 days, millions of protesters braved water cannons, tear gas and live bullets; hundreds lost their lives and thousands more sustained injuries from clashes with security agents, but these ultimately culminated in the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.

Grappling at Straws

In a desperate bid to stop the protests, Hosni Mubarak had dismissed his cabinet, appointed a Vice President and a new Prime Minister, and asked the Prime Minister to form a new government.

This was Mubarak’s idea of ”political reform”; dismissed by the people who recognized them to be the cosmetic changes they really were. It became clear Egyptians were not going to settle for anything order than an end to the almost three decades of Mubarak rule, a democratic Egypt and justice for victims of 30 years of repression.

Faced with mounting pressure and no signs of protesters throwing in the towel, Mubarak unexpectedly resigned on 11 February 2011. Mubarak’s resignation was, no doubt, historic, and welcomed by millions of Egyptians, but this did not get him off the hook.

Demonstrators continued to pressure the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, in charge of facilitating Egypt’s transition to democracy, to bring the former president to justice for crimes committed during his time in office.

The Wheels of Justice

In May 2011, Hosni Mubarak was charged for corruption and ordering the killings of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators during the mass protests that culminated in his ouster.

Despite these strides, many in Egypt and abroad remained skeptical and never thought the strongman would ever be brought to trial.

On 3 August, the world was overwhelmed and shocked as they watched Mubarak wheeled into court on a hospital bed to plead ”guilty” or ”not guilty” to the charges brought against him. On this day, Egyptians on social networking sites made no secret of their feelings.

On Twitter, an Egyptian woman wrote:

"I’m in shock. #Mubaraktrial started. #Mubarak & sons in courtroom, as well as ex-minister of interior.”

Another Egyptian tweeted:

”… #MubarakTrial officially started. And I might start crying any minute now. Long live #jan25.”

Many never thought this day would come.

Power by the People

Hosni Mubarak in the dock, after 30 years in the highest office in the land, is a grim reminder to dictators around the world that power comes from the people and those who abuse power will one day have their day in court. The brave people of Egypt have shown to the world especially those living in oppression that it is possible to peacefully demand the removal of oppressors and drag them to court for crimes committed while in office. Circumstances might be different in other countries, but there is one major similarity: the government’s power comes from the people.

Hosni Mubarak is innocent of all charges until proven guilty. If found guilty, the strongman could be slapped with the highest penalty in the land – death.

Regardless of the outcome of the Mubarak trial, 3 August 2011 has gone down in history as a fairly good day for the rule of law in Egypt. The image of ”almighty” Mubarak in a cage will forever revolutionalize the way Egyptians in power do business. Believe it or not.

A quick and fair trial of Mubarak and his cronies is what is needed to put Egypt on the path to peace and stability.

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Maikel Nabil Sanad: Blogger imprisoned by Egyptian army

After the fall of Hosni Mubarak on 11 February 2011, I thought oppression and violation of fundamental rights and freedoms in Egypt - as seen under the Mubarak regime - will be a thing of the past, but since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces was empowered to oversee a smooth transition to democracy in Egypt, Egyptians have continued to suffer repression and widespread violation of basic rights. In March, reports of women subjected to forced virginity tests by military personnel shocked rights advocates around the world; last week, two protesters were reportedly killed when the army stormed Tahrir Square to silence protesters calling for a speedy trial of Hosni Mubarak and his cronies on corruption charges. Today, Twitter has been buzzing with disturbing news of the imprisonment of a 25-year old Egyptian blogger, Maikel Nabil Sanad - for being critical of the military in a blog post - and many Egyptians on Twitter have made no secret of their outrage.

Maikel Nabil Sanad was arrested on 28 March 2011, tried in a military court and on 10 April 2011, he was declared guilty for insulting the military and sentenced to 3 years in prison in violation of his right to hold and express opinions without state interference.

On 5 April 2011, Human Rights Watch condemned the arrest and trial of Maikel Nabil Sanad, a civilian, in a military court and urged the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to drop charges against the blogger.

News of the arrest of a blogger for being critical of the military is disturbing and of course - frightening. Free people around the world must unequivocally condemn the arrest and imprisonment of Maikel Nabil for "insulting the military" in a blog post.

The imprisonment of a blogger in any part of the world - for expressing opinions on his blog - poses a threat to free expression and internet freedom everywhere.

Egypt is party to international human rights standards that expressly oblige the state to respect the right to hold and express opinions. This right is clearly stated in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other significant human rights instruments. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces therefore has a legal obligation under international law to respect this right.



It is worth highlighting that the military court used evidence from Nabil's blog and Facebook page to convict him.

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Egypt: Victim of virginity test by the army speaks out

Last week, women's rights activists, human rights organizations and individuals of good conscience around the world were outraged by allegations that women protesters in Egypt were subjected to forced virginity tests by the Egyptian army. Eighteen (18) women were reportedly arrested in Tahrir square when the army stormed the historic square to clear it of protesters. The women were strip searched, beaten, subjected to electric shocks and forced virginity tests by male military personnel. A victim of forced virginity test and other forms of abuse by the Egyptian army has spoken out on camera and added weight to these allegations.

In the following video, a woman reports that she was subjected to virginity test while in custody of the Egyptian army. The video was posted on The New York Times website, alongside a compelling opinion column by Nicholas D. Kristof titled, Freedom's Painful Price.



The fact that these women told their stories on camera, despite the dangers involved, adds weight to the allegations of forced virginity tests exacted by the Egyptian army and highlights the urgent need for an impartial investigation into the matter.

After the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, the army took over control of Egypt and promised to facilitate a smooth transition to a democratically elected government that represents and respects the rights and will of ALL Egyptians. Allegations of forced virginity tests and other human rights violations by the army undermine this promise and goes to show that Egypt under the military is not significantly different from Egypt under Hosni Mubarak.

On 25 March 2011, in an email to its supporters in relation to forced virginity tests in Egypt, Amnesty International USA pointed out that "the Egyptian military may have just hit a disturbing, new low..." and urged supporters to call for an immediate investigation into forced virginity testing and other acts of torture and ill-treatment committed against women in Egypt. Please, heed the call by signing the petition.

The so-called "virginity test" must be condemned in the strongest terms.

My Google Analytics tells me that many people are searching online for the meaning of "virginity test" and petitions against virginity tests. This is a good sign and an indication that more people are becoming aware of the prevalence of this degrading practice. More importantly, many are willing to sign a petition against it.

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Women subjected to virginity tests by Egyptian Army

Security forces under the Mubarak regime were famous for all the wrong reasons - brutality, extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances, torture and other forms of cruel and inhuman practices - and the fall of the regime was seen by many as a new dawn for Egypt. This vision of a new Egypt where rights are respected has been tainted in many ways, including fresh allegations that the Egyptian army subjected women to forced "virginity tests" and other forms of torture, a few weeks after a repressive regime was toppled.

According to Amnesty International, 18 women were arrested in Tahrir Square on 9 March when the army was ordered to clear the square of protesters after Hosni Mubarak was kicked out of office. The women were allegedly strip searched, photographed naked by male soldiers, beaten, subjected to electric shocks and virginity tests. Out of the 18 women arrested, only 1 was released hours later while the other 17 were transferred to a military prison.

Earlier today, Amnesty International called on the Egyptian authorities to investigate these serious allegations and urged members of the medical profession to refrain from conducting virginity tests because the purpose of the "test" is to "degrade" women.

It is my opinion that the so-called "virginity test" strips victims of dignity and privacy. The bizarre practice is also discriminatory since only women have to face the ordeal.

The Egyptian army is a trusted and respected institution in Egypt, but such a degrading practice sanctioned by military personnel must be fearlessly condemned.

You're encouraged to sign a petition by Amnesty International USA calling for an investigation and an end to forced virginity testing in Egypt.

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Egypt: Ousting of Hosni Mubarak is not enough

Photo: We are all Khaled Said.

It is no secret that yesterday 11 February 2011 marked the end of a 30-year-old oppressive dictatorial regime in Egypt; a regime that tortured thousands of Egyptians and claimed many lives. After 30 years in power, Hosni Mubarak was kicked out of the presidential palace in Cairo by peaceful protesters calling for democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt. The ousting of Mubarak is good news, but it is not enough.

Hundreds of civilians lost their lives during the 18-day struggle for human rights that culminated in the ousting of Mubarak. Human Rights Watch estimates that about 302 protesters were killed during the peaceful uprising that met with brutal police crackdown.

Today, Egyptians and the rest of the world rightfully celebrate the historic fall of a strongman, but it should be noted that the ousting of an autocratic regime is not enough since it does not guarantee justice for the many victims of oppression and systematic police brutality under the regime.

The military which acted responsibly to an extent during the protests, should work in close collaboration with the Egyptian people and ensure a peaceful transition to a democratic civilian rule.

The government of Egypt after Hosni Mubarak should bring all perpetrators of torture and other forms of violations under the 30-year-old Mubarak regime to justice. Until then, the ousting of Hosni Mubarak is not enough.

Victims of violations under Mubarak are uncountable - including Khaled Mohammed Said, Ahmed Shaaban and many others.

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Release Amnesty International's staff member arrested in Egypt

There's untold oppression and violation of basic rights and freedoms in Egypt despite President Hosni Mubarak's call for reforms. This assertion is confirmed by news of the arrest and detention of Amnesty International's staff member (UPDATE. 04/02/2011: Two staff members) in Cairo this morning by the notorious Egyptian police.

According to a first-hand account from Amnesty International workers on the ground in Egypt, the arrest took place at the office of Hisham Mubarak Law Centre (HMLC), a local human rights organization. Police raided the office in a building which is also home to the Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights and rounded up human rights activists.

An email from Amnesty International USA this evening titled: "BREAKING: Amnesty delegate detained in Egypt!" reveals that a delegate from Human Rights Watch - another prominent international human rights organization - was also arrested during the raid. Worst of all, the email states that "we do not know their current whereabouts."

This is frightening because President Mubarak's security agents are famous for torture and brutality which sometimes results to serious bodily harm or death. This should not happen to the human rights observers in question.

It is worth recalling that in June 2010, 28-year-old Khaled Mohammed Said was brutalized to death by police in Alexandria. Five months later, another young Egyptian - 19-year-old Ahmed Shaaban - disappeared in police custody and allegedly met his end in the hands of President Mubarak's "no-nonsense" security agents.

News of the arrest of human rights observers in Egypt is therefore disturbing, and of course a blow to human rights and the rule of law.

Human rights observers should be allowed to monitor the situation on the ground without government interference. If the government cracks down on international human rights observers, it is hard to imagine what is in store for the voiceless citizens with no international backing.

Amnesty International urges supporters to TAKE ACTION to secure the release of it's staff and other human rights workers. Please heed the call to take action, here.

Amnesty International is a organization campaigning to end human rights violations around the world.

UPDATE. 05/02/2011: The arrested activists have been freed. Thanks to all who took action.

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Top 5 most popular stories of oppression in Egypt

Egypt is on the headlines and people worldwide have turned to the internet to read up about the country, perhaps in search of more information about the culture of repression and endemic impunity not covered by mainstream media. This explains why stories of oppression and police brutality in Egypt make up the list of top 5 most popular articles this week on this blog.

The top 5 most popular stories of oppression in Egypt on this blog as of today include the following (starting with the hottest):

1. Khaled Mohammed Said: Another Casualty of Egyptian police brutality. It is worth mentioning that "Khaled Mohammed Said" has been the most popular "keyword" and has sent the most traffic (predominantly from Google) to this blog since the story of the the young Egyptian brutalised to death by Egyptian police in Alexandria was posted in June 2010.
2. The U.S should respect rights and demands of Egyptians: An opinion piece about the role of the U.S. in the on-going Egyptian crisis.
3. Egypt: Don't forget Khaled Mohammed Said: Shines light on a postponed trial of police officers arrested in relation to the death of Khaled Said.
4. Ahmed Shaaban: Tortured to death by Egyptian police? This is the story of another young Egyptian allegedly beaten to death by police in Egypt in Alexandria barely 5 months after Khaled Mohammed Said met his end in the hands of plainclothes officers.
5. Egypt: Two police officers arrested over death of Khaled Mohammed Said.

It is no coincidence that Egypt is the hottest topic online and offline this week, and that all the above articles are about the Arab Republic.

Thousands of people are out in the streets for 7 days now - defying boots, batons, water canons, teargas and a curfew imposed by a 30-year-old autocratic regime. Rights have been violated in full glare of the world, but the message of thousands of repressed Egyptians is still loud and unmistaken - they want an end to 23-years of "emergency rule" under a 30-years old regime.

The people have spoken. Democracy should take its course.

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The U.S. should respect rights and demands of Egyptians

Photo: Sulekha.com.

Egypt is in chaos as thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets to demand political reform and an end to 30 years of repression under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak. For the past five days, demonstrators have suffered in the hands of President Mubarak's so-called "no-nonsense" security agents who suppress the rights and demands of Egyptians - including the right to association, assembly and expression - with lethal  force powered by live bullets, batons, boots, water canons and teargas reportedly made in the U.S.

The oppressive Mubarak regime is the second largest recipient of U.S. aid (largely military aid). This revelation has amplified calls for the U.S. to stop funding an undemocratic regime and respect the rights and demands of the Egyptian people.

It's interesting to note that according to Reuters, the U.S. has given Egypt an average of 2 billion dollars a year since 1979. In 2010 alone, Egypt received 1.3 billion dollars in military aid.

President Mubarak has been in power since October 1981 without the support of a majority of Egyptians. But he enjoys the support of the U.S. and considered a "key" U.S. ally. This is testament to the fact that the U.S. has religiously supported 30 years of oppression in Egypt. For more than 30 years, successive U.S. administrations have closely worked with a regime that cracks down on basic rights and freedoms of its citizens.

Egyptians have had enough and have taken to the streets to protest and voice concerns over 30 years of [U.S. funded] oppression.

Watching the demonstrations on a program titled "Egypt in Crisis" on CNN International this Sunday morning, an embattled demonstrator held up a slogan that caught my attention. The slogan which read: "USA Stop supporting Mubarak..." was hard to ignore. This is a genuine concern.

The U.S. should respect the rights and demands of oppressed Egyptians and stop supporting a government which is neither "by the people" or "for the people."

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Egyptian blogger Abdel Kareem Nabil Soliman released

I don't remember the last time I received good news remotely related to human rights and fundamental freedoms in Egypt. This explains why I warmly welcome and celebrate the release of Abdel Kareem Nabil Soliman -  a prominent Egyptian blogger who was arrested in 2006 and sentenced to four years in prison for insulting islam and defaming the Egyptian President (by linking him to dictatorship and tyranny) on his blog. Kareem was released on 16 November 2010 after spending four years behind bars, despite campaigns by local and international human rights groups to secure his release.

You'd recall that in an article, published on 13 May 2010 about the young Egyptian blogger imprisoned, I stated (and I maintain) that the imprisonment of an individual simply because a government thinks his/her expressed views are flawed is a violation of the basic right to hold and express opinions on or offline.

It is worth mentioning that I was positively impressed by a heartwarming message of gratitude to everyone who supported the campaign to free Kareem, published on freekareem.org following the release of the blogger. Let me be clear: I supported the cause simply because I'm a firm believer in fundamental rights and freedoms.

Abdel Kareem Nabil is now free, but numerous bloggers remain jailed in many countries around the world, including Vietnam, Iran, Syria and Bahrian. Governments should take crucial steps to uphold freedom of expression.

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Ahmed Shaaban: Tortured to death by Egyptian police?

It was with a heavy heart that I read the story of Ahmed Shaaban - another young Egyptian allegedly brutalized to death by Egyptian police at Sidi Gaber police station in Alexandria on 7 November 2010.

Photo: Egyptian Chronicles.

According to Ahmed Shaaban's family, as reported by Amnesty International, the 19-year old disappeared in police custody on 7 November 2010 after he was arrested at a police checkpoint and transported to the now notorious Sidi Gaber police station in Alexandria. On 11 November 2010, the family was informed that the young Ahmed Shaaban's bruised body had been found in the Mahmoudia canal.

It is worth mentioning that the death of Ahmed Shaaban comes only 5 months after another young Egyptian - Khaled Mohammed Said was reportedly tortured to death by Egyptian police in the same police station.

Egyptian bloggers have expressed concern about Egyptian police brutality and the recent role of the Sidi Gaber police station - raising an important question: how many more young Egyptians have to be tortured to death before police brutality in Egypt is stopped?

The role of the police is to protect; not torture civilians. Egypt consented to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1986 and thus has an obligation under international law to protect civilians against torture. Needless to say, drawing from many reported cases of torture by state agents, the state has failed so far to meet this obligation.

Amnesty International has urged Egyptian authorities to fully investigate the death of Ahmed Shaaban.

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Egypt: Respect court ruling against police presence on university campuses

It is no secret that human rights in Egypt is nothing to write home about. Since the imposition of Emergency Law in 1981, Egyptians have suffered violations of basic, fundamental and inalienable rights and freedoms, including freedom to hold and expression opinions, right to privacy and confidentiality of correspondence, freedom of association, right to free, fair and speedy trial, right to life, freedom from torture, just to name a few. Under Egypt's 29-year old "state of emergency", the police enjoy extensive powers and crack down on civilians with impunity. Continued police presence in public places, including university campuses, is reportedly typical.

A video published by CNN on 11 November 2010 highlights the ills of Emergency Law in Egypt and clearly captures unprecedented police presence on the campus of Cairo University. Watch...



The fact that someone interrupted the above CNN video coverage by covering the lense of the camera is testament to the high level of repression and press censorship in Egypt.

Police presence on University campuses does not create a condusive atmosphere for studies. Besides, university students are genuinely worried since police brutality is not uncommon in Egypt: in June 2010, 28-year old Khaled Mohammed Said was brutally killed in Alexandria. Egyptian authorities should respect the Supreme Court ruling against police presence on university campuses. Continued massive police presence on university campuses is attributable to a police state, and screams repression.

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Egypt: Don't forget Khaled Mohammed Said

Photo: We're all Khaled Said Facebook page.

A 28-year-old Egyptian - Khaled Mohammed Said, allegedly brutalised to death by Egyptian police in June is yet to be forgotten.

The death of Khaled Mohammed Said, on 6 June 2010, sparked widespread protests in Egypt, with thousands of Egyptians demanding justice for Khaled Said, and an end to police brutality. Surprisingly (because there's reportedly a culture of impunity for police brutality in Egypt), two police officers were arrested and charged in relation to Khaled Said's death. This, no doubt, is good news. The arrests were celebrated as a milestone in Egypt and abroad.

The bad news is that a postponed trial of the policemen in question, originally scheduled for 25 September 2010, was further postponed to 23 October 2010.

Despite the postponement and delays, rights activists and police brutality protesters are undeterred. Many have urged rights advocates worldwide not to forget Khaled Mohammed Said (even if the trial is postponed for a few years) because justice for Said would mean a great blow to what has been described as "systematic torture" in Egypt.

Amnesty International recently released a video demanding justice for Khaled Mohammed Said, as well as an end to torture in Egypt. WATCH...



According to Human Rights Now, the 25 September trial was marred by protests and police intimidation.

Khaled Mohammed Said is clearly not forgotten. People of conscience in Egypt and abroad have fought a good fight so far, and continue to fight to secure justice for Khaled, and end police brutality in Egypt.

It remains to be seen whether justice would be served.

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Egypt: Two Police officers arrested over death of Khaled Mohammed Said

On 30 June 2010 two police officers were arrested over the death of Khaled Mohammed Said. Khaled Mohammed Said, 28, was brutalised to death by two plainclothe policemen in the city of Alexandria, Egypt - on 6 June 2010. Khaled has become the face of Eyptian police brutality.

The death of Khaled Mohammed Said sparked protests against Egyptian police brutality. During a protest in Cairo police beat and arrested protesters, but many were undeterred. Despite police crackdown on demonstrators and protesters, many refused to be silenced. Human rights activists and groups like Amnesty International continued to demand justice! Demonstrations, protests and criticism of the Egyptian government for alleged impunity in relation to rampant police brutality didn't go in vain. Two police officers were arrested over the death of Khaled Mohammed Said - 24 days after the murder. The two officers, Mahmud Salah Amin and Awad Ismail Suleiman, were arrested on charges of "illegal arrest, using physical torture and brutality"; not murder.

It is worth mentioning that official autopsy results revealed that Khaled Mohammed Said  died as a result of suffocation (asphyxiation) after swallowing a bag of marijuana. As ridiculous this may sound, Egypt's State Prosecutor shared the same view.

Photos of Khaled Mohammed Said, yet another battered and disfigured victim of Egyptian police brutality, surfaced on the internet. Looking at the photographic evidence - does suffocation leave victims bruised, bloodied and disfigured with broken teeth and shattered jaws?

The arrest of two police officers over the death of Khaled Mohammed Said signals a move in the right direction. But a lot more needs to be done to put an end to rampant police brutality in Egypt. Perpetrators should be tried and they should bear the full weight of the law.

Photos: Khaled Said Facebook page.

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Khaled Mohammed Said: Another Casualty of Egyptian Police Brutality

When will the government of Egypt put an end to police brutality and utter disregard for human dignity and security of persons? Today, I read the story of a 28-year-old Egyptian who was tortured to death by plain-clothes Egyptian security forces in the City of Alexandria, also known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean". His name was Khaled Mohammed Said.

Although there are varying accounts of his death, all accounts point to the fact that Khaled Mohammed Said was killed in a cyber cafe in the city of Alexandria.

According to Amnesty International, the killing took place on 6 June 2010. Khaled was brutally beaten by two plain-clothes security forces in a cyber cafe in Alexandria. He was later dragged out of the cyber cafe, and tortured to death. Police later told his relatives that he died from an overdose of narcotics.

Other sources reveal that Khaled was brutalised in the full glare of shocked eyewitnesses.

An investigation into the death of Khaled Mohammed Said is on-going, and Amnesty International has called on the government to move quickly to bring the perpetrators of this brutal killing to justice. Failure to carry out a thorough investigation will send a wrong message to perpetrators of such barbarism and gross disrespect for human life.

Khaled Mohammed Said is, unfortunately, another casualty of Egyptian police brutality. It remains to be seen whether the government of Egypt will end the culture of impunity enjoyed by abusive Egyptian state agents - many of whom abuse the people they should protect. Impunity can be brought to an end by cracking down on the two security forces who engineered the premature death of an unsuspecting citizen - Khaled Mohammed Said.

Shocking images of the battered corpse of Khaled Mohammed Said have surfaced, and can be viewed, here. Viewer discretion is advised.

Egypt clearly has an appalling human rights record.

By the way, Abdel Kareem Nabil Suleiman, a young human rights activist, and many other activists are still locked away in Egyptian jails.

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Egypt: Young Blogger in Prison

Yesterday, while reading an article - jailed journalist dies in Cameroon, I came across a story worth telling; a story about Abdel Kareem Nabil Suleiman - a young blogger in prison in Egypt.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and a beacon of democracy - like I said in the article about Lars Vilks. Althought the right to freedom of expression is expressly guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, many states, do not hesitate to deprive individuals of this right - especially when it is used to expose state-sponsored violations of human rights and democracy. Kareem is only one of the many individuals arrested and imprisoned for critical writings in Egypt and worldwide.

According to English Pen, Abdel Kareem Nabil Suleiman, a 25 years old Egyptian blogger, was arrested in November 2006 and sentenced to four years in prison in Febuary 2007, for defaming the President of Egypt - Mohammad Hosni Mubarak and insulting islam.

Kareem is young - 25 years old and a growing voice of the voiceless. Here is what he wrote (in English) about himself on his blog:

"I am down to earth Law student; I look forward to help humanity against all form of discriminations. I am currently studying Law in Al Azhar University. I am looking forward to open up my own human rights activists Law firm, which will include other lawyers who share the same views. Our main goal is to defend the rights of Muslim and Arabic women against all form of discrimination and to stop violent crimes committed on a daily basis in these countries."

Does his statement strike a chord?

If you know anything about Egypt, human rights and women's rights, you would understand, drawing from the above statement, why Kareem was arrested. English Pen reports that he was arrested after publishing critical articles on his blog.

Kareem's prison term is expected to be over on 5 November 2010. You can show support for the young blogger, by taking action on the FreeKareem Blog.

It is unacceptable to have a young blogger in prison - simply because his government thinks his views are flawed.

*Photo from FreeKareem photo Gallery.

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