Egyptian security forces have continued their crackdown on internet dissidents, according to a joint statement from the Arabic Network for
Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre.
The groups reported that Mohamed Refaat, editor of the blog Matabbat, was arrested last month and was still being held in prison for his work online. The statement said that security officials were “turning a blind eye” to orders for his release, which the prosecution has ordered.. He was supposed to have been released from custody since 17 August, the statement said. Refaat was charged with “inciting the strike of 23 July”, ANHRI and the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre known here for its ardent support for human rights activists say these charges were “fabricated in an attempt to silence opposition voices. ” Refaat was also accused of “offending state institutions, destabilising public security and inciting demonstrations and strikes via the Internet.” “These charges have no evidence,” the statement argued, adding “The police apparatus is no more subject to accountability or monitoring, even by the Minisitry of Interior, which assumingly is overseeing it.” According to the human rights groups, Refaat should be immediately released, because “he did not commit any offence and the allegations about his blog are not true and instead of apologising for the bitter days he spent in detention, he was being held under the hateful state of emergency laws.”
