Blog Initiates Campaign to Free Jailed Egyptian Blogger

Posted on March 3, 2007

Egyptian blogger Abdel Karim Suleiman was recently sentenced to four years in prison because of several posts he made on his blog. A Reuters article says Suleiman was convicted because his writings insulted both Islam and the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. A blog called Free Karem has been documenting Karem's plight and linking to news stories covering his arrest. The blog also has a very useful faq that explains the situation. It also lists exactly what Karem was accused of by the Eygptian government.

What did the Egyptian government accuse him of?
According to the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Kareem stands charged with the following alleged crimes: (1) Spreading data and malicious rumors that disrupt public security; (2) Defaming the President of Egypt; (3) Incitement to overthrow the regime upon hatred and contempt; (4) Incitement to hate "Islam" and breach of the public peace standards; (5) Highlighting inappropriate aspects that harm the reputation of Egypt and spreading them to the public.

This certainly sets a bad precendent in Egypt. Free Karem says Karem's blog is located on blogspot.com. They also have been hosting blog rallies from the Free Karem blog. Some of the signs people are waving read "Shame on Egypt" and "Blogging is Not a Crime."

Reporters Without Borders has criticized Egypt for jailing Karem. They said, "It is time the international community took a stand on Egypt's repeated violations of press freedom and the rights of Internet users." Egypt is also on the Reporters Without Borders list of Internet enemies.