27 Oct 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost, News and features
Security forces in Alexandria have arrested over 50 people hanging posters in support of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is banned from putting up electoral candidates but circumvents the restrictions by fielding candidates as independents. The move is even more contentious given that Alexandria is a Brotherhood stronghold. Since 9 October, when they announced they would stand in November’s parliamentary elections, about 250 Brotherhood members have been detained. An official has said the posters breached a law forbidding the use of religious slogans for election purposes. This follows Tuesday’s threat by the largest liberal opposition party to boycott the election after state television refused to air its political adverts.
19 Oct 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Egyptian authorities have continued their pre-election crackdown on the independent media. Most recently private production companies that provide live broadcast services to independent television stations have had their licences revoked. It is reported that they will have to broadcast directly from studios affiliated with the state in order to receive new licences. The move follows the sacking of an opposition newspaper editor, the refusal to allow entrance to international monitors, and restrictions on sending out mass text messages. Critics say this is bound to inhibit reporting in the run-up to both November’s parliamentary elections and next year’s presidential poll.
06 Oct 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
A newspaper editor known for his satirical columns attacking the government has been fired. Ibrahim Eissa, editor-in-chief of the daily al Dustur, said he had not been told why he was dismissed, but believed it was in connection with an article written by prominent opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei. When publishers told Eissa not to publish the article, he objected and was sacked just hours later. Reporters for al Dustur have gone on strike to protest the dismissal. Eissa’s sacking follows the recent cancellation of the talk show he hosted on private satellite television.
23 Sep 10 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
A judge who was suing two activists and a blogger with defamation, blackmail and “abuse of the Internet service” has withdrawn the lawsuit. Gamal Eid of the Arabic Network of Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Ahmed Seif El Islam Hamad of the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre (HMLC) and blogger Amr Gharbeia reached an out-of-court settlement with Judge Abel Fatteh Murad on 18 September. The trial date was originally set for July, but hearings were postponed five times. The three men agreed to withdraw a complaint accusing the judge of plagiary.
