International Buyers Flock to "Cairo Fashion & Tex" to Secure Egyptian Export Deals    AECSD, AMEDA conclude landmark summit, highlighting global CSD innovations    Egypt's Ras El-Hekma Megaproject: Modon Holding Secures Key Partners for    Cairo Fashion & Tex Exhibition Opens with 550 Exhibitors    Russia's private sector activity contracts in September '24    Egypt's CBE auctions EGP 10b fixed coupon T-bonds    US to award $100m to advance AI in semiconductor manufacturing    8 Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah ambushes in Lebanon    Rapid regional developments impact economy: Prime Minister    Egypt's Environment Minister reviews updates of 'Safe Haven' project in Fayoum    WhatsApp Introduces Filters and Backgrounds for Video Calls    Cairo Urban Week Kicks Off October 27: A Celebration of Sustainability, Art, and Urban Development    Egypt's Environment Minister addresses local, regional sustainable energy challenges    Egypt, France discuss boosting cooperation in health sector    Korea Culture Week wraps up at Cairo Opera House    Spain's La Brindadora Roja, Fanika dance troupes participate in She Arts Festival    Colombia unveils $40b investment plan for climate transition    EU pledges €260m to Gavi, boosts global vaccination efforts    China, S. Korea urge closer ties amid global turmoil    ABK-Egypt staff volunteer in medical convoys for children in Al-Beheira    Egypt's Endowments Ministry allocates EGP50m in interest-free loans    Kabaddi: Ancient Indian sport gaining popularity in Egypt    Ecuador's drought forces further power cuts    Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul after Paris Olympics    Basketball Africa League Future Pros returns for 2nd season    Egypt joins Africa's FEDA    Egypt condemns Ethiopia's unilateral approach to GERD filling in letter to UNSC    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Egypt's FM, Kenya's PM discuss strengthening bilateral ties, shared interests    Paris Olympics opening draws record viewers    Former Egyptian Intelligence Chief El-Tohamy Dies at 77    Who leads the economic portfolios in Egypt's new Cabinet?    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Trial of editor accused of ''inciting public'' against tax bill postponed
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 19 - 09 - 2010

An Egyptian court on Sunday postponed the trial of Wael al-Ebrashi, editor-in-chief of independent weekly Sawt al-Umma, who faces charges of inciting public opinion against proposed real estate tax legislation.
Judicial sources told al-Masry Al-Youm that the Giza Criminal Court had ruled to postpone trial proceedings until 17 October.
Al-Ebrashi was initially charged after heading a press campaign opposing the proposed legislation, which included the publication of several articles by journalists, politicians and economists critical of the new tax bill.
In one of his articles, al-Ebrashi challenged the constitutionality of the draft legislation, which he said would only serve to augment the financial burden on Egypt's already-struggling middle class. In another article, Sawt al-Umma Editor Samar el-Dawi quoted a legal expert as saying that the bill was currently under review by Egypt's Constitutional Court. The legal expert went on to predict that the bill "would be rejected."
Egyptian Finance Minister Youssef Boutros-Ghali has filed a lawsuit against al-Ebrashi and al-Dawi for their outspoken opposition to the draft bill.
The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international rights watchdog, has called on Boutros-Ghali to drop the charges against the two men. “The provision under which our colleagues are being charged, along with the fact that they are to be tried in a criminal court, strongly suggests that the government is intent on punishing critical journalists for their work,” the committee declared in a statement.
On 14 June, al-Ebrashi and al-Dawi were ordered to appear before a criminal court on charges of “inciting the public to disobey the law,” as per article 177 of the Egyptian penal code.
According to the committee, article 177 has heretofore only been used to prosecute armed groups and has never been employed in a press-related case.
In 2007, an Egyptian court sentenced al-Ebrashi and three other independent editors-in-chief to one year in prison each on charges of "spreading false information likely to disturb public order." An appeals court later ruled to drop the charges, however, after ordering each of the defendants to pay an LE 20,000 fine.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.


Clic here to read the story from its source.