Egypt

Military drops charges against activists accused of insulting the army

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has ordered that the military prosecution drop all charges against Asma Mahfouz and Loay Nagaty, two young activists who were accused of insulting the armed forces.

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, president of the SCAF, notified the president of the military judiciary to drop the cases against the two activists.

Lt. Gen. Sami Annan, vice president of the SCAF, has been heavily criticized by journalists and intellectuals recently for arresting several young activists who had expressed their opinions on current developments in the country.

Other political activists have welcomed the desicion to drop the charges against Mahfouz and Nagaty, but re-asserted their opposition to the use of military courts for civilians.

According to reports from rights groups, more than 12,000 civilians have been sentenced in military trials since the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak in February.

Translated from the Arabic Edition

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