Correcting Al-Ahram Weekly
March 7th, 2007A recent article on Al-Ahram Weekly contains inaccurate information regarding Kareem’s case:
Suleiman is currently in solitary confinement, which he requested… Suleiman is “worried about being killed by an inmate while in prison, someone seeking a quick ticket to heaven, and is worried about the same happening if he is let out.”
Kareem did not request solitary confinement. When he was first imprisoned, his lawyers requested his transfer to a cell with other political prisoners. Instead, he was placed into solitary confinement. In fact, solitary confinement is used as a penalty in Egypt.
Suleiman’s lawyers point out that their client was initially charged on three counts, defaming Islam and aggravating sectarian strife, broadcasting false information that undermines public order and national unity, and insulting the president. The court later dropped the first two charges for lack of evidence. It was the third charge on which Suleiman was eventually convicted, much to the surprise of his defence, since his comments are no different from those posted by other bloggers and published by independent newspapers.
Fact: Kareem has been sentenced to prison under two charges: disdaining Islam and defaming the President of Egypt.
