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Egyptian Novelist Jailed on Obscenity Charges to Be Released Egyptian Novelist Jailed on Obscenity Charges to Be Released
(35 minutes later)
CAIRO — Egypt’s highest appeals court on Sunday suspended the prison sentence of Ahmed Naji, a prominent writer who had been convicted on charges of obscenity, in a decision that paved the way for his release, his lawyer said.CAIRO — Egypt’s highest appeals court on Sunday suspended the prison sentence of Ahmed Naji, a prominent writer who had been convicted on charges of obscenity, in a decision that paved the way for his release, his lawyer said.
Mr. Naji, 31, was charged last year with violating public morality with references to sex and drug use in his novel, “The Use of Life.” He was sentenced in February to two years in prison and fined over $1,200, sparking outrage among human rights defenders and artists across the world. Mr. Naji, 31, was charged last year with violating public morality with references to sex and drug use in his novel “The Use of Life.” He was sentenced in February to two years in prison and fined over $1,200, spurring outrage among human rights defenders and artists across the world.
In May, over 120 prominent writers and artists, including Woody Allen, signed a letter demanding Mr. Naji’s release. The letter was sent by PEN America, a group that promotes freedom of expression, which this year awarded Mr. Naji its annual Freedom to Write prize in absentia.In May, over 120 prominent writers and artists, including Woody Allen, signed a letter demanding Mr. Naji’s release. The letter was sent by PEN America, a group that promotes freedom of expression, which this year awarded Mr. Naji its annual Freedom to Write prize in absentia.
Mr. Naji’s lawyer, Mahmoud Othman, said he expected his client to be released from jail on Monday. The appeals court will review Mr. Naji’s suspended sentence in January.Mr. Naji’s lawyer, Mahmoud Othman, said he expected his client to be released from jail on Monday. The appeals court will review Mr. Naji’s suspended sentence in January.
The judiciary and the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have made several decisions in recent months that seem aimed at stemming a tide of international criticism of Egypt’s notoriously poor human rights record, offering hope to the country’s embattled civil society and artists.The judiciary and the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have made several decisions in recent months that seem aimed at stemming a tide of international criticism of Egypt’s notoriously poor human rights record, offering hope to the country’s embattled civil society and artists.
In November, Mr. Sisi pardoned 82 people who were serving prison sentences for protesting against the government and insulting state institutions, among other charges. The group included Islam Behery, a prominent television host and Islamic researcher, who was sentenced last December to a year in prison for challenging Muslim orthodoxy.In November, Mr. Sisi pardoned 82 people who were serving prison sentences for protesting against the government and insulting state institutions, among other charges. The group included Islam Behery, a prominent television host and Islamic researcher, who was sentenced last December to a year in prison for challenging Muslim orthodoxy.
The authorities also removed from a watch list Ahmed Shafik, a prominent exiled opposition politician, potentially allowing him to return to the country before the next presidential election in 2018.The authorities also removed from a watch list Ahmed Shafik, a prominent exiled opposition politician, potentially allowing him to return to the country before the next presidential election in 2018.
At the same time, the Egyptian government and courts continue to press a harsh crackdown on the activities of civil society groups. This month, the authorities arrested and froze the assets of Azza Soliman, a well-known feminist, as part of a criminal investigation into the funding of local nongovernmental organizations.At the same time, the Egyptian government and courts continue to press a harsh crackdown on the activities of civil society groups. This month, the authorities arrested and froze the assets of Azza Soliman, a well-known feminist, as part of a criminal investigation into the funding of local nongovernmental organizations.
Other activists have been jailed, had their assets frozen or been prevented from leaving the country. The government accuses many of them of accepting funding from Western countries with the aim of spreading lies inside Egypt and endangering national security.Other activists have been jailed, had their assets frozen or been prevented from leaving the country. The government accuses many of them of accepting funding from Western countries with the aim of spreading lies inside Egypt and endangering national security.
Fears of foreign interference date to the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, which many Egyptian officials now blame on unspecified outside forces. Fears of foreign interference date to the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, which many Egyptian officials now attribute to unspecified outside forces.
Last month Egypt’s Parliament passed a harsh law regulating nongovernmental groups, which aid workers say will severely curtail their work. Penalties for breaking the law include large fines and lengthy prison sentences. It has not yet been signed into law by Mr. Sisi. Last month, Egypt’s Parliament passed a harsh law regulating nongovernmental groups, which aid workers say will severely curtail their work. Penalties for breaking the law include large fines and lengthy prison sentences. It has not yet been signed into law by Mr. Sisi.
Mr. Naji, the writer, had been a vocal critic of the government. Prosecutors charged him after a private citizen claimed that the references to sex and drugs in his novel had caused heartbeat fluctuations and a drop in his blood pressure. Mr. Naji’s supporters said the charges were politically motivated.Mr. Naji, the writer, had been a vocal critic of the government. Prosecutors charged him after a private citizen claimed that the references to sex and drugs in his novel had caused heartbeat fluctuations and a drop in his blood pressure. Mr. Naji’s supporters said the charges were politically motivated.
“This is overdue but excellent news,” said Suzanne Nossel, executive director of PEN America, on word that Mr. Naji would be freed. “The spectacle of Ahmed Naji being jailed for a chapter of a novel was among the most egregious affronts to creative freedom in Egypt.”“This is overdue but excellent news,” said Suzanne Nossel, executive director of PEN America, on word that Mr. Naji would be freed. “The spectacle of Ahmed Naji being jailed for a chapter of a novel was among the most egregious affronts to creative freedom in Egypt.”