Generals announce pardon for 334 inmates, following reaction to letter secretly written by activist Alaa Abd El Fattah from his cell
Jack Shenker
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 November 2011
"Egypt's military rulers have promised to pardon hundreds of civilians convicted in military courts, amid mounting pressure following the imprisonment of a leading revolutionary activist and the publication of a secret letter from his jail cell.
The damning anti-junta missive from jailed revolutionary Alaa Abd El Fattah was released as draft constitutional principles that could hand unprecedented power to the army were published.
Jack Shenker
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 November 2011
"Egypt's military rulers have promised to pardon hundreds of civilians convicted in military courts, amid mounting pressure following the imprisonment of a leading revolutionary activist and the publication of a secret letter from his jail cell.
The damning anti-junta missive from jailed revolutionary Alaa Abd El Fattah was released as draft constitutional principles that could hand unprecedented power to the army were published.
Cairo's ruling generals responded to mounting criticism by announcing plans to free 334 people locked away since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in February.
Abd El Fattah's wife, Manal Hassan, told the Guardian that the military's gesture was a drop in the ocean, given the thousands of Egyptians convicted by military courts. "We're happy for those that will be released but they should never have been there from the beginning, and it does nothing to change the unjust system that put them in jail in the first place," she said.
Abd El Fattah'scousin, Omar Robert Hamilton, a film-maker, said: "Alaa isn't in jail to bargain for specific prisoner releases. He isn't in jail to bargain at all. He's in jail because he won't submit himself to this illegal and unjust tribunal system. So that system has to end, and oversight of the law be returned to the civilian judiciary."
Human rights groups estimate that more than 12,000 civilians have been processed through military tribunals this year, including several protesters, bloggers and journalists who have publicly questioned the army's commitment to democratic reform....."
Abd El Fattah's wife, Manal Hassan, told the Guardian that the military's gesture was a drop in the ocean, given the thousands of Egyptians convicted by military courts. "We're happy for those that will be released but they should never have been there from the beginning, and it does nothing to change the unjust system that put them in jail in the first place," she said.
Abd El Fattah'scousin, Omar Robert Hamilton, a film-maker, said: "Alaa isn't in jail to bargain for specific prisoner releases. He isn't in jail to bargain at all. He's in jail because he won't submit himself to this illegal and unjust tribunal system. So that system has to end, and oversight of the law be returned to the civilian judiciary."
Human rights groups estimate that more than 12,000 civilians have been processed through military tribunals this year, including several protesters, bloggers and journalists who have publicly questioned the army's commitment to democratic reform....."
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