Free Kareem! - The Observer: Kareem’s Lawyer is ‘Very Pessimistic’ about Kareem’s Verdict

David Smith from The Observer, a United Kingdom Sunday newspaper, wrote about Kareem Amer’s case.

Irrepressible.info, The Observer’s joint campaign with Amnesty International calling for freedom of speech online, now has the support of almost 62,000 people around the world. Attention has shifted to Egypt where, last November, Karim Amer was detained by the authorities because of political writings on his blog.

Amer will learn on Thursday whether he faces 10 years in jail, following a trial that has been condemned by human rights groups. He is the first person to be prosecuted in Egypt for online writings; observers fear this may mark a new clampdown on freedom of speech.

Amer, 22, a former student at al-Azhar University, wrote blog entries criticising Egypt’s al-Azhar religious authorities, President Mubarak and Islam. Charges against him include ’spreading information disruptive of public order and damaging to the country’s reputation’, ‘incitement to hate Islam’ and ‘defaming the President’.

His lawyer, Gamal Eid, said last week: ‘I am very pessimistic about the verdict, but I have great hope for the appeal.’

Malcolm Smart of Amnesty International said: ‘Karim Amer’s trial appears intended as a warning by the authorities to other bloggers who dare criticise the government or use their blogs to spread information considered harmful to Egypt’s reputation.’

Please support free speech for everyone by signing the Internet freedom pledge at Irrepressible.info.

COMMENTS

Posted In: Egyptian blogosphere, Freedom of speech, Protest

Maryam Hosseini

In order to free Kareem we all need to learn out rights. I am talking about the "Declaration of Human Rights" which has been agreed and singed by 198 countries at the United Nation and Egypt is one of those countries. Egypt's government is responsible and accountable to his agreement. Noone can break an agreement once is made. Tis declaration applies to all the people of the world with any religious belief or nationality. Please learn your RIGHTS and share them with others, then we can all help to FREE Kareem. Please go to this site and learn your RIGHTS:
http://www.artistsforhumanrights.org/test/yourhr.htm

Heimo

"He is the first person to be prosecuted in Egypt for online writings; observers fear this may mark a new clampdown on freedom of speech. " - this is exactly what I fear - it could start a wave of persecution against mideast bloggers & as example willingly be copied by other critics-fearing governments of restrictive press censoring countries..