For the first time since Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak was chased from power, a blogger has been sentenced to a jail term. Maikel Nabil Sanad, a veterinarian, blogger and conscientious objector, has been sentenced to three years in prison for criticizing the military.
Sanad was arrested last month, amid violence directed by the military, or elements of the military, against those protesters who remained in Tahrir Square in Cairo.
Egypt has, for years, been among the most egregious abusers of social media users, beating, arresting, torturing and imprisoning bloggers and Facebook users. Kareem Amer spent four years in prison, in terrible circumstances, for criticizing Islam and the Mubarak regime.
From Sanad’s statement on Mideast Youth:
“In Mubarak’s era, detentions were issued by administrative decisions. But nowadays, blessed with the Military Council, detentions pass through military court rulings!…I can feel the intention of harming me after the court ruling. Don’t believe the army’s worthless claims about suicide attempts. Hence, the Military Council is responsible for my safety and well-being until the time of my release.”
Supporters of Sanad have started a Facebook page and a petition.
