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| Egyptian blogger trial criticised | Egyptian blogger trial criticised |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Egypt has been strongly criticised by Human Rights Watch for trying a blogger, Ahmed Mustafa, before a military court. | Egypt has been strongly criticised by Human Rights Watch for trying a blogger, Ahmed Mustafa, before a military court. |
| The 20-year-old is accused of publishing false information in a blog a year ago, alleging a case of nepotism at Egypt's premier military academy. | |
| Egypt's emergency law, in place since 1981, allows indefinite detention and trials of civilians in military courts. | Egypt's emergency law, in place since 1981, allows indefinite detention and trials of civilians in military courts. |
| Egyptian officials have denied that the power is much used. | Egyptian officials have denied that the power is much used. |
| Mr Mustafa, an engineering student, is charged with releasing information considered secret to the armed forces, and of spreading false information insulting officials responsible for admissions to the military academy. | Mr Mustafa, an engineering student, is charged with releasing information considered secret to the armed forces, and of spreading false information insulting officials responsible for admissions to the military academy. |
| The only evidence presented at his trial this week is the post on his blog. | The only evidence presented at his trial this week is the post on his blog. |
| 'Mockery' | 'Mockery' |
| There has been no investigation into his claim of corruption, namely that a teacher's son was pushed out of the academy, to make way for the son of a more influential individual who could make financial contributions, Christian Fraser, the BBC correspondent in Cairo says. | There has been no investigation into his claim of corruption, namely that a teacher's son was pushed out of the academy, to make way for the son of a more influential individual who could make financial contributions, Christian Fraser, the BBC correspondent in Cairo says. |
| Under two international human rights accords, both ratified by Egypt, the government is required to protect freedom of expression. | Under two international human rights accords, both ratified by Egypt, the government is required to protect freedom of expression. |
| Yet Human Rights Watch draws attention to a growing list of bloggers who remain in detention. | Yet Human Rights Watch draws attention to a growing list of bloggers who remain in detention. |
| Kareem Amer was sentenced to four years in prison in 2006, for writing about sectarian tensions in Alexandria and criticising President Mubarak. | Kareem Amer was sentenced to four years in prison in 2006, for writing about sectarian tensions in Alexandria and criticising President Mubarak. |
| Another blogger, Hany Nazeer, was detained in October 2008 under the country's emergency law that was designed to fight terrorism for expressing forthright views on Christianity and Islam. | Another blogger, Hany Nazeer, was detained in October 2008 under the country's emergency law that was designed to fight terrorism for expressing forthright views on Christianity and Islam. |
| Last year after a visit to Egypt, the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on human rights reiterated that the trial of civilian suspects in military courts raised concerns about the independent administration of justice. | Last year after a visit to Egypt, the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on human rights reiterated that the trial of civilian suspects in military courts raised concerns about the independent administration of justice. |
| "The Egyptian government says one thing in Geneva and then immediately makes a mockery of the Human Rights Council's review process," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. | "The Egyptian government says one thing in Geneva and then immediately makes a mockery of the Human Rights Council's review process," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. |
| "No civilian should be tried before a military court, and no government that claims to respect human rights should be prosecuting someone solely for writing about corruption," he added. | "No civilian should be tried before a military court, and no government that claims to respect human rights should be prosecuting someone solely for writing about corruption," he added. |