Egyptian blogger, activist kidnapped, beaten after match
Nov 15th, 2009 | By Bikya Masr Staff | Category: Egypt, Featured, News
CAIRO: Kareem el-Shae’r, an Egyptian blogger and political activist, was found beaten, injured and covered with his own blood in New Cairo one hour after the end of the Algeria-Egypt soccer match on Saturday night. El-Shae’r was then taken to el-Salam hospital by local citizens until his wife came to take him home.
According to the blogger’s friends who contacted him later, he is “very ill and has serious injuries and bruises all over his body.†It is unclear what pretext was given for kidnapping the young man and leaving him in New Cairo, some 30 minutes from Nasr City.
Egyptian police in recent years have used similar tactics of kidnapping and beatings in an effort to silence critics of the government. A number of leading opposition figures have been taken from the street by police, beaten and left on the side of the road outside the capital, much like el-Shae’r.
On Saturday, emotions were high across Egypt as the national team was playing Algeria in a World Cup qualifier that would determine which nation would make it to South Africa next June for the World Cup Finals. Egypt eventually won the match 2-0 to force a play-off Wednesday in Sudan.
El-Shae’r is the moderator of Masr el-Horra (Free Egypt) blog. He has been arrested several times for short periods in recent years over his political activities. The worst of them was when he was arrested and physically assaulted during the protests calling for judicial independence in 2006.
He is also a member of the el-Ghad Party and April 6 Youth movement. On November 4th, he established “Youth against Presidential Succession,†a new youth campaign inspired by the larger national “Egyptian Campaign against Succession†founded by opposition leader Ayman Nour last month.
Eight hours before the historic football match between Egypt and Algeria that attracted the attention of all Egyptians, Ahmed Maher, head of April 6 Movement spread the news that “members of April 6 were arrested and Kareem El-Shae’r disappeared.†Two hours later, Medhat Shaker, another political activist and friend of el-Shae’r, stated that “Kareem was kidnapped from outside Nasr City Police Station where Mohamed Mostafa [another member of April 6] was being held in custody.”
One hour after the match, news spread on the walls of El-Ghad Party members’ Facebook pages about El-Shae’r being “beaten and thrown from a police truck in New Cairo†and other news about “locking El-Ghad Party members up by security forces in their headquarter of Talaat Harb street, after the match!â€
Apparently, the security forces used the opportunity of the match’s hype to attack young activists, who were busy with watching the match. A number of activists said security was using the match “to take revenge of young activists like Kareem and other members of El-Ghad Party and April 6 Youth movement.”
The interior ministry would not comment on el-Shae’r's case, saying they had not heard of anything related to this person.
**reporting by Dalia Ziada
BM
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Shame on the cowards that call themselves “the law” and “the government”.
And what was exactly his “crime”? Where is the outrage? The outburst of decent, normal people who are against this state terrorism?
Where is the media who is so outspoken if something like this happens … say … in Iran? What is the fundamental difference between dissidents in Iran and those in Egypt? Is he a dissident or does he just want a more just and, therefore, a better society?
In a basically healthy and democratic society, free of fear, where checks and balances are in place and the politicians are elected by the people and for the people dissent and a difference of opinion is not a problem!
I (don’t) hold my breath to read other comments.
Salam
Eleonora, it’s called apathy. Is it a case that Egyptians are so used to this kind of thing going on in their country that when someone is beaten for speaking his mind, no one bats an eyelid. Terrible shame. There has been more response to last nights football match.
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I certainly feel my own lack in the face of his—and this blog’s, too—courage.
Do not speculate to whom it was that did this; we do not know for sure and it does not matter. We must continue walking, don’t look back. Don’t stop and place blame. It is this very action of violence form groups of people that will lead to their own downfall. If we also resort to violence, we will fall into their trap and become just like them. Don’t stop, keep walking. One day the pain will be over and we will all be free. It is important not to stop and place blame, because not all people in groups are like these violent people that did this to this man. The “law” and the “government” may be corrupted, but not everyone that makes it up is corrupted. Stereotyping groups of people is what leads to hatred. hatred is what leads to violence. Violence is what shoud never be accepted. We must walk on, but our message should simply be that this is not acceptable. People will listen to this reasoning and the majority are reasonable people and will agree. Believe in people.
Dear jjb – yr comment #3
In this case I differ with you, jjb. It’s not really stand-alone apathy – it’s sheer and simple FEAR … which then lead out of survival instinct to apathy. I gathered from your postings that you were a visitor here and live again in your safe home country. Safe in every aspect of life I hope. BTW I do also hope that you will come back one day soon. If you drank from the water of the river Nile … you will come back
.
I was hoping against hope that people do dare to speak out despite the knowledge of what could possibly happen. IMO the “leaking” of such incidents is meant for exactly that: to further instill fear in the people until they simply look the other way. It’s the same – always in my opinion – with the videos which pop up every now and then and show people being tortured. It serves as a not so subtle warning as to what can happen.
It’s the old knowledge applied: people must know what’s waiting for them if they “disobey” otherwise it’s not possible to oppress them.
Is this beating government initiated … who knows? The proofs are to my knowledge missing. If it is – who is there to stop them other than pressure from outside? The same goes for torture. Everyone closes both eyes to both facts because it serves their purpose. It’s common knowledge today that the USA is exporting suspects to be tortured in some Middle Eastern countries. Does anyone voice a “democratic and free voice” in the States? No …
As for the soccer match: I was at first angry at how this soccer game was politicized by both governments. It also hurt me to see how desperate the common people are looking for an occasion and a reason to celebrate and be happy. To forget just for a few hours the daily misery they have to live in. Who am I do destroy their joy?
And again here you see the failures of the government written all over. Just one example: people had after the soccer game totally destroyed cars; broken windshields, dented roofs. We saw people who’s cars were obviously write offs. One man was almost crying – he just bought a car for some LE 150’000 and it looked like a wreck. Not because people went on a rampage or because of hooliganism.
No – because some “good” business people set up gigantic screens in the parking lots outside the stadium and people jumped and stood on the cars to better watch the game. Who’s to blame? The sharks, the people, the police (government) who failed?
And not even the celabrating was really possible. It used to be that there were places and squares in Cairo were people could gather in celebration and voice their happiness. Not any more. (Almost) Everything has been destroyed in order to further the profit of a few.
Yes, I feel like you do: sometimes I could just sit down and cry for these warmhearted people and their beautiful country. May they get it back one day soon.
Have a good day
Dear Warren – yr comment #8
I do absolutely believe in the non-violent civil disobedience strategy of Gandhi. Violence breads violence – so the saying goes.
And this is the crux of the matter: if you beat the best and most peaceful and kind dog long and hard enough … the day will come when this dog bites you. At some point it is just not controlable anylonger. This is the danger and the explosive in this whole situation.
As for “continue walking, don’t look back” … well, I’m not so sure what you mean. Forgetting? This is impossible. That would mean one also forgets the lesson one hopefully learned and the experience and knowledge stemming from it.
Not looking back? How can one not? This and other events make one as a person. It is one’s history. If we forget the past and, therefore, the history we have to live it all over again and again ad infinitum.
As a person dear to us always says: “Occupation is the disease – violence is the symptom”. In there lays also the answer to the problem, does it not?
One has to treat the root of the illness, not just apply some aspirin for the symptoms.
And yes – ultimately I do believe in the strength and survival will of the people. That’s what keeps me going.
Hope is the last emotion to dye … Salam and have a good day
[...] the mayhem of a major soccer match, Egyptian blogger Kareem el-Shae’r was kidnapped and beaten. El-Shae’r moderates the Free Egypt blog and is a member of Ayman Nour’s el-Ghad party [...]
Eleonora
I loved Egypt. I could see myself visiting your country every year until I die. I really mean it. I love the history of Egypt, the culture, the food but more than anything I love the fact that women in Ancient Egypt were Pharoahs leading great nations; doing what men do and in some cases even better. That’s REAL girl power.
However, the sexual harassment thing really really bothered me. It was persistent – night and day. So exhausting but although the streets were one thing, the worst harassment came from hotel staff – the concierge guy who was making filthy calls to our room in the middle of the night, another guy making omelettes for breakfast refused to make me one until I went out with him for a drink, the old man janitor who wanted to “make sex” with me but only if I was circumcised. Our complaints to the staff were laughed at, yes, laughed at. One guy said that I am beautiful woman and should take it as a compliment !!!! I asked him if in view of that, would it be okay for my brother to do the same to his honourable sister. His face changed colour with shock and embarassment.
I do not take my life for granted. We have our issues in England but thank goodness freedom of speech is not suppressed. I have heard a lot about journalists who are living underground whilst trying to expose the injustices going on in their country. I admire them, salute them. I would love to be able to help if I can in any way.
I keep saying this and my heart bleeds but Egypt used to be the greatest nation on Earth. Your people were making strides in EVERY area of life whilst the rest of the world was living in caves and clubbing each other to death. I hope Egypt gets some decent government (quickly). Young people are leaving Egypt in their droves, there are many over here in London, bright smart intelligent people who can give soooo much back.
Peace.
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