C4J - Metropolitan Community Church, Manchester: Call for Justice - January 2008 - Karim Amer (Imprisoned blogger, Egypt)
Comments(0) Blogger Karim Amer, 23, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment on 22nd February 2007 for criticising Egypt’s al-Azhar religious authorities, the Egyptian president and Islam. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience.
A Misdemeanour Court in Alexandria jailed Karim Amer for writing internet blogs about Islam, the Egyptian regime and the sectarian riots which took place between Muslims and Christians in Alexandria in October 2005. It said the blogs were “inciting strife and defaming Muslims on the internet by describing the prophet of Islam and his comrades as murderers, which disturbs national peace”, and insulting to the president.
On 12th March, the Court of Appeal confirmed the sentence. Karim Amer lodged a further appeal to the Court of Cassation on 21st April, but no hearing has yet been scheduled.
Karim Amer is now in prison in Alexandria. He was held in solitary confinement for 65 days, reportedly in order to force him to give up his views about Islam. Since July, however, he has reportedly been allowed daily outdoor exercise and exchanged of letters with his mother. He plans to study literature at Alexandria University from October, if permitted by the prison director.
What can I do?
Print out, sign and send the 2 copies of the attached letter to the Egyptian President and the Egyptian Ambassador in London.
See also http://www.amnesty.org/en/report/info/MDE12/006/2007
