EGX ends in green on June 16    Egyptian pound rebounds at June 16 close – CBE    Egypt, IFC explore new investment avenues    Israel, Iran exchange airstrikes in unprecedented escalation, sparking fears of regional war    Rock Developments to launch new 17-feddan residential project in New Heliopolis    Madinet Masr, Waheej sign MoU to drive strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia    EHA, Konecta explore strategic partnership in digital transformation, smart healthcare    Egyptian ministers highlight youth role in shaping health policy at Senate simulation meeting    Egypt signs $1.6bn in energy deals with private sector, partners    Pakistani, Turkish leaders condemn Israeli strikes, call for UN action    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt's President stresses need to halt military actions in call with Cypriot counterpart    Egypt's GAH, Spain's Konecta discuss digital health partnership    Environment Minister chairs closing session on Mediterranean Sea protection at UN Ocean Conference    Egypt nuclear authority: No radiation rise amid regional unrest    Grand Egyptian Museum opening delayed to Q4    Egypt delays Grand Museum opening to Q4 amid regional tensions    Egypt slams Israeli strike on Iran, warns of regional chaos    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's EDA joins high-level Africa-Europe medicines regulatory talks    US Senate clears over $3b in arms sales to Qatar, UAE    Egypt discusses urgent population, development plan with WB    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Egypt, Serbia explore cultural cooperation in heritage, tourism    Egypt discovers three New Kingdom tombs in Luxor's Dra' Abu El-Naga    Egypt launches "Memory of the City" app to document urban history    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Egypt must free Christian held for blasphemy over film: Amnesty
Amnesty International calls for release of Albert Saber, an Egyptian Coptic Christian accused of blasphemy after allegedly posting anti-Islam film online
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 17 - 10 - 2012

An Egyptian Coptic Christian arrested on suspicion of posting online an anti-Islam film that ignited Muslim protests around the world should be freed immediately, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.
Computer science graduate Albert Saber was detained by police in Cairo last month after his neighbours accused him of uploading sections of the film "Innocence of Muslims" and of making another movie that mocks all religions.
The case has raised concerns over freedom of expression under Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, who came to power in free elections earlier this year after the 2011 popular uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
Saber is in jail and due to attend his second trial session for blasphemy on Wednesday. If found guilty, the 27-year-old could be jailed for up to six years, according to a report by rights group Amnesty, which also said Saber had told his lawyers he had been beaten in custody.
"Albert Saber Ayad is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and should be released immediately," Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Programme, said in a statement.
"Criticism of religions and other beliefs and ideas is a vital component of the right to freedom of expression. Laws - such as blasphemy laws - that criminalise such criticism violate human rights," Sahraoui added.
The report said Saber had told his lawyers that a police officer in prison had incited other detainees to attack him.
"The detainees beat Albert Saber Ayad and cut him with a razor blade along his neck. He was then taken to another room where he was beaten by 20 prisoners and forced to remain standing all night," Amnesty said, reporting what his lawyers had said.
According to Amnesty's report, Saber's lawyers fear for the safety of his family who had reported that they had been threatened and been forced to leave their home.
Local rights groups had previously voiced similar concerns about Saber and called for his release.
The anti-Islam film, made in California, portrayed the Prophet Mohammad as a womaniser, thug and child molester. Crowds stormed U.S. embassies around the Arab world in protest at it. In Libya, the U.S. ambassador was killed by Islamist militants.

Clic here to read the story from its source.