CAIRO: Egyptian police arrested publisher Ahmed Muhanna on Saturday over the publication and distribution of his most recent book “ElBaradei and the dream of the Green Revolution” by writer Kamal Gabriel. According to witnesses, security forces combed the house of the publisher and then arrested the man before turning the place “upside down” in search of copies of the text. The book had already been on the market for over a week before police arrived at Muhanna's home. According to Bikya Masr sources, Muhanna's whereabouts as of Saturday early evening are unknown and he has yet to be charged formally with any crime. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (AHNRI) said in a press statement “the housebreaking of a publisher and arresting him for a book about ElBaradei in such ambiguous way without giving reasons or declaring charges is a serious violation of freedom of opinion and expression. It clearly shows the intention of the government to gag all dissenting voices as well as those supporting  ElBaradei and the National Assembly of change.” The Cairo-based pan-Arabic press and media watchdog, demanded the Egyptian government stop “harassing and violating opponents’ right to freedom of opinion and expression.” The arrest comes only one day after ElBaradei took to the streets of the Northern Delta city of Mansoura in an effort to promote his message of change and reform in the country. Hundreds of supporters welcomed him during the Friday visit. ANHRI added that “the government should reveal the whereabouts of the publisher … immediately and declare the reason for which SSI arrested him. ANHRI requests Muhanna’s immediate release and holding accountable those responsible for raiding his house and kidnapping him.” The Network demanded that the public prosecutor conduct an investigation into both the confiscation of the book and the possible abduction of the publisher by the government. BM
