BBC: Egypt blogger jailed for "insult"

By: Helmi Noman on 22 February 2007
Posted in Egypt, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

An Egyptian court has sentenced a 22-year old blogger to four years in prison for insulting Islam and the president on his blog, BBC reported.

The blogger had criticized the country's top Islamic institution, al-Azhar University and President Hosni Mubarak, whom he called a dictator.

“This sentence sets a chilling precedent in a country where blogs have opened a window for free speech,” said Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.