In the early morning hours of Monday 16th, 2011, Egyptian activist Mosaab El Shamy was arrested.
5 hours earlier, a group of protesters had gathered in front of the #IsraeliEmbassy to mark the Nakba commemoration day.
Despite some reports that protestors attempted trespassing and illegal entry, many protestors there were simultaneously tweeting the events as they developed, supporting none of the above allegations.
Mosaab El Shamy was there, and his tweeting was evident of what it was he was doing exactly.
Every tweet that Mosaab sent out since his arrival was of him reporting of what he was seeing and hearing around him, proof of which, was Mosaab's return to the embassy after hearing that protestors were engaging in clashes with the riot police.
He did not attempt to enter the embassy, he did not pick up a single stone, he did not partake in the burning of the flag he watched burn, and took pictures of and tweeted about.
Mosaab is a photographer. I have known him since a little before the January 25 revolution, and shared with him a love of photography. Through out the revolution, Mosaab's tweets made news networks around the world, as he tweeted, took pictures, and uploaded albums upon albums of the truth as he captured it with his lens.
In a live-streaming video provided by Tarek Shalaby, another activist detained on the same night, it is clearly audible that a camera is confiscated by one of the officers over looking the arrest, proving Mosaab was there taking pictures rather than engaging in illegal activity.
Tarek managed to live stream his and Mosaab's arrest, the abusive language used, the accusations made, and the horrifying setting they found themselves in evident by the occasional shudderingly loud gun shot heard on the video.
Mosaab is not a thug. Nor did he destroy public property. Nor did he attempt trespassing. Nor did he insult or assault an officer.
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I am not an investigative reporter nor am I a human rights activist. I am Mosaab's friend and I believe and know and am confident that he has not broken the law. Mosaab has shown great courage and determination since the first days of the revolution. He risked his life several times during the worst days of Tahrir to protect those who needed it, and travelled to Benghazi to support the Libyan revolution as it unfolded.
Mosaab, who is a 21 year old Pharmacy undergrad, was arrested and taken to a military prison, and is scheduled to stand before a military court, where he could be facing up to 5 years in jail. If referred to a civil court, Mosaab stands a chance at real justice, the right to an attorney, and a chance to present evidence of his innocence.
Since February 12, hundreds of people were arrested and taken into military detention. Many already stood before military courts and are serving their time now.
ReplyDeleteMany were arrested along with Mosaab and Tarek...they all deserve a civil trial and a lawyer.
I write about Mosaab because it's one thing I can do for one person I actually know personally. It is my way of trying to get the word out, in hopes that perhaps good will come of it for all those unrightfully detained.
A military trial is a slap in the face to those who believed the army was a healthy transitional government. I wonder if these young Egyptian Braves feel duped. I followed Mosaab's Twitter feed constantly that day, his youthful enthusiasm contagious and INNOCENT..
ReplyDeleteTrial of a civilian in Military Courts, is in principle - wrong.
ReplyDeleteLeave alone, the trial of an innocent civilian who has done absolutely nothing to breach a code or law.
I too, follow his tweets and it makes me hopeful of a better future of our world knowing youths like him will lead.
Egypt must stand up to the Army against these acts of theirs.
I'm from a country which has seen under Military rulers for decades and even now, we have a democratic government to say - but the Army virtually runs the country.
The Military, in every country - needs to be shown its place.
Sending support to all those who know Mosaab!
Prayers from Pakistan for his release!