- The Alexandria Appeals Court ruled against an appeal filed by the attorney of Egypt's first convicted blogger, Abdel Kareem Suleiman, who was sentenced to four years in prison for "insulting Islam and the President of Egypt". His lawyers said they would appeal the judgment at the court of cessation.
The Alexandria court upheld the ruling, although the defence team vigorously argued that it is unlawful for a first degree court to pass the sentence.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) said the verdict is "unexpected" because it sets back freedom of expression in the country and violates of International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, which Egypt has ratified. It is also seen as a betrayal of a promise by President Hosni Mubarak that his regime would not imprison any writer for merely expressing his or her opinions.
The defence lawyers - Hesham Mubarak Centre for Law, Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and Hamdi Al-Assiouti - blamed the court for relying on amended penal code articles. In its argument, the defence saw an "insult to the President" as a permissible criticism.
Though it was rejected by the first degree court, the Appeals Court surprisingly maintained a Hisba case, an Islamic tradition to have civil suits raised by individuals who have no relation to the main case. "The Hisba is considered a threat to all opinion holders," HRinfo said in a statement.
The defence team said the court's decision confirms the deteriorated state of human rights, especially freedom of expression, in Egypt. The team confirmed that they will be taking the case to the court of cessation.
The team and organisations defending freedom of expression confirmed their commitment to continue supporting Kareem Amer and all opinion holders, continuing the battle to lift all restrictions on freedom of expression.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
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afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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