Trial begins for Egyptian Copt accused of blasphemy for posting clips of ‘Innocence of Muslims’ onli
Source: AF-P
The trial opened on Wednesday of an Egyptian Copt accused of blasphemy after posting on the Internet an anti-Islam video that sparked violent protests worldwide, an AFP reporter said.
Albert Saber, 27, was arrested at his home in Cairo on September 13 after neighbours alerted authorities that he had posted clips from Innocence of Muslims on social networking sites.
The low-budget film made in the United States caused outrage for mocking Islam and portraying the Prophet Mohammed as violent and immoral.
Saber faces up to five years behind bars in a case that has sparked condemnation from human rights groups and raised concerns over freedom of expression under Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, the first president after an uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.
Albert has nothing to do with the offensive film but the case was a way to calm down popular anger, Sabers lawyer Ahmed Ezzat, a Muslim, told AFP outside the court.
Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/09/26/trial-begins-for-egyptian-copt-accused-of-blasphemy-for-posting-clips-of-innocence-of-muslims-online/
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Everyone should take responsibility for the outcomes of their own actions. The Electronic Frontier Foundation / Electronic Disturbance Theater said that back in the nineties as a word of advice to those who downloaded Floodnet with the intention of using it for tactical strikes.
msongs
(67,441 posts)Kolesar
(31,182 posts)We in the United States take "Freedom of Speech" as a universal right. However, there is a precedent for limiting speech by governments, even in a democracy.
Five years in jail is too much, though.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)another martyr for her cause and an Arab one at that double win-for her
however this man's arrest seems politically motivated
more on this
"Ninety percent of my friends are Muslim and we eat and drink together. I don't hate any religion," he said.
"The investigation was a religious one ... I was asked about my faith in the Koran and about my religion," he said.
After a brief hearing on the first day of his trial, the judge adjourned the proceedings to October 17.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hvuUk9a9N6NTI-Wr6Bz0z2mru0Ow?docId=CNG.92f8e882d0cac04a70810207085ab1e2.531
perhaps the best break this man is getting is the delay in proceedings which will allow time for the atmosphere to calm down a bit however he will be held in Egyptian custody until that time
Codeine
(25,586 posts)Screw that.