CAIRO: Dozens of Egyptian political activists staged a protest outside Cairo's Torah prison, calling for the release of Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fatah, who military prosecutors accused of committing crimes against the armed forces. Protesters chanted slogans against his detention and trial, scheduled for Nov. 13. Military prosecution described Abdel Fatah not as a political activist but as a criminal. A petition submitted by Abdel Fatah's lawyer was rejected. Abdel Fattah is an Egyptian blogger and member of the January 25 Revolution Youth. He is accused of inciting violence between Coptic Christians and military forces during the Maspiro clashes on Sep. 9. He is charged with stealing a military weapon, deliberately sabotaging military properties, assaulting military soldiers, and protesting and using violence against military forces. A Facebook page asked activists to protest in support of Abdel Fatah. His mother, Lila Soueif, declared Thursday to be an open day to call for her son's release; it is expected that she will receive activists in her home as a sign of peaceful protest. Soueif is an Egyptian political activist and a Professor of Science at Cairo University. She is a founding member of the Labor Group for University Independency and a member of the Egyptian Association Against Torture. Abdel Fatah posted on his blog that he rejected being released in exchange for not criticizing Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi. Torah hosts ousted president Hosni Mubarak's sons, Gamal and Alaa , and other former regime figures jailed after the January 25 Revolution.
