The international human rights watchdog Amnesty International urged the Egyptian authorities on Monday to release activist and blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah and drop all charges against him. On Sunday, Egypt's military prosecutors ordered Abd El Fattah to be detained for 15 days. They also ordered activist Bahaa Saber, who was questioned along with Abd El Fattah, to be released. Both men face accusations of inciting violence on 9 October, when the military violently dispersed a protest in front of the Maspero state TV building and killed 27 protesters. One military soldiers was reportedly also killed in the violence. Abd El Fattah also faces an additional charge of stealing weapons. “The Egyptian military was part of the violence which occurred during the Maspero protests and is also leading the investigation into the bloodshed,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa. “This is totally unacceptable and raises serious and fundamental questions about the inquiry's independence and impartiality." “Egypt's military authorities must allow an independent investigation into these killings if they are serious about bringing those responsible to justice," he added. At least 28 other civilians are believed to have been detained and charged in connection with the demonstrations. More are reportedly wanted for questioning by military prosecutors. “Military courts should never be used to investigate or try civilians,” Luther said. “Such courts are fundamentally unfair, as they deprive defendants of basic fair trial guarantees.” In Egypt, military courts effectively deny defendants the right to appeal by limiting appeals to disputing legal processes without reviewing the facts and evidence of each case.
