Prominent Egyptian activist and blogger released from prison

Egyptian Blogger and activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah released from prison, pending further ‎investigations into the Maspero clashes. Is it a cause for rejoicing, or is it too late to resuscitate a dying revolution?

Alaa Abd El-Fattah

Cairo: Prominent Egyptian blogger and activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah has been released on Sunday. His detention on 30 October on charges that included inciting violence during the bloody attack by the military on Coptic rights protesters, in what is known as Maspero rally, on 9 October sparked outcry and condemnation in Egypt and around the world.

Alaa also faces charges of alleged vandalism at the Maspero rally in downtown Cairo which morphed into clashes with security forces in which 27 people were killed, most of them Copts protesting over the burning of a church in the southern city of Aswan.

The young activist reportedly refused to undergo questioning by the military prosecution on the grounds that the military itself was implicated in the case.

Coptic witnesses said they were fired upon by soldiers during the protest march and that several people were killed when armored vehicles ran over and crushed them.

“Alaa will be released” his sister Mona Seif, who is also a political activist, said on Twitter.

River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this Blog!