Monday, August 13, 2012

Egypt 2.0: Journalists to be tried for 'insults' to Mursi

Hey, remember how Obama and Hillary were all for that new Egyptian democracy?
(BBC) Two Egyptian journalists will go on trial accused of incitement to murder President Mohammed Mursi and sowing sectarian discord, prosecutors say.

Tawfiq Ukasha, the owner of the private al-Faraeen TV station, and Islam Afifi, the editor of the private al-Dustour newspaper, will be tried in Cairo.

The move is seen by some analysts as an attempt by Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood to suppress the opposition.

Mr Mursi, who was elected in June, is a member of the Islamist movement.

On Sunday, he ordered the retirement of the influential head of the armed forces, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, and the chief of staff, Gen Sami Annan.

Mr Mursi also issued a constitutional declaration giving him broad legislative and executive powers.

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