...

Egyptian opposition group slams military over arrest of activist

Arab World Materials 20 October 2011 13:50 (UTC +04:00)
Egypt's major protest group, April 6 Youth, condemned Thursday the arrest and referral for a military prosecution of its activist Ali al-Halabi.
Egyptian opposition group slams military over arrest of activist

Egypt's major protest group, April 6 Youth, condemned Thursday the arrest and referral for a military prosecution of its activist Ali al-Halabi.

Al Halabi was reportedly arrested Tuesday for painting graffiti on a building wall in Nasr City in eastern Cairo. He was due Thursday to appear for questioning by military interrogators, DPA reported.

"This action constitutes a new violation of citizens' freedom and a breach of the promise made by the (ruling) military council to stop referring civilians to military courts," added the movement.

According to April 6 youth, al-Halabi was painting graffiti as part of a campaign to warn the public against voting for suspected loyalists of former Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak in parliamentary elections set to begin in November.

Unlike in the civil courts, verdicts issued by military tribunals are not appealed.

Around 12,000 activists have been tried in military courts since Mubarak was ousted in February, say local human rights groups.

Tags:
Latest

Latest