There have been no “random or political” arrests in the interim period since President Mohamed Morsi’s ouster, Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi declared in a statement issued on Monday.
All those arrested in the recent period face criminal charges, Beblawi said, and would be tried by ordinary judges according to the legal framework, with no extraordinary proceedings, reported the state-run Middle East News Agency.
The only civilians currently facing military trial are those charged with attacking military institutions or personnel, or who were apprehended in military zones, the prime minister claimed.
Ahmed Abu Deraa, a correspondent in North Sinai for the privately owned daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm (AMAY), is one of those civilians facing military trial. He was arrested earlier this month on charges of “deliberately spreading abroad false news … about the Armed Forces and the results of its operations in North Sinai,” according to a source quoted in AMAY.
Abu Deraa is also facing allegations of taking photographs in military areas off limits to civilians without having the proper permission, as well as taking photographs in an off-limits zone of the Suez Canal, AMAY reported.
On Sunday, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) issued a statement condemning the military prosecution’s decision to refer Abu Deraa to military court, slamming it as a violation of freedom of expression.
Also in Monday’s statement, Beblawi said that the state of emergency was extended for security reasons due to recurring violent acts and terrorist threats against the nation, said MENA.
Last week, the state of emergency was extended for another two months. It was initially imposed for a one month period on August 14 after the violent dispersal of two sit-ins held by ousted President Mohamed Morsi’s supporters. The accompanying curfew will also continue to be in effect for the next two months, but curfew hours may be shortened from the current period of 11 pm to 6 am.
As an example of the violent threats necessitating the extension of the curfew, Beblawi cited the recent assassination attempt on Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim. His convoy was bombed in Nasr City on September 5, leaving at least 22 individuals injured and resulting in at least one death. The bomb was planted on the corner of Mostafa al-Nahas Street, which is the only exit for the minister’s convoy, according to a security source cited by the state-run news portal Ahram Gate.
Just days later, another deadly bombing of the military intelligence building in Rafah killed six and injured dozens of others, finally prompting Beblawi to extend the state of emergency.
The premier also cited the attack on Central Security conscripts on August 19, in which 24 were shot dead in Arish on their way back to their base in Rafah after a holiday.
Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa Eddin acknowledged the curfew’s negative impact, in its disruption of the transportation of goods and workers trying to get to factories during the early hours of the day, which in turn harms trade and industry in an already ailing economy. He said he hoped curfew would soon be eased, but insisted for the moment it was necessary due to the volatile security situation.
Finally, Beblawi concluded his statement by reaffirming the government’s commitment to following the roadmap and timeline leading to presidential elections. He added that no group would be excluded from the political proceedings, as long as they agreed to the roadmap and denounced violence, terrorism and inciting unrest.
