Being an Arab, in another Arab country, you would think that you would be fully aware of what was allowed and what wasn't allowed
... especially in a very touchy country like Egypt (even in an area where all are touchy), where 'national honour' can only be satisfied by imprisoning anyone who deviates, even slightly from the myth Egypt is a great country, or that Islamic codes of behaviour are the only acceptable norms.
Mona el-Mazbouh, a Lebanese tourist in Egypt was referred to criminal trial after being arrested at the airport in June 2018, after posting a video on Facebook complaining about Egypt. She mentioned being sexually harassed by both common taxi drivers, as well as on the ride-hailing app drivers, and even by young men in the streets.
She also criticised the poor service provided by restaurants in Ramadan, as well as her treatment after her belongings were stolen. She finished her rant off by calling Egyptians the “dirtiest people on earth” and Egypt is "the country of beggars” and “son of a bitch country” ... “You [Egyptians] deserve what Sisi is doing to you, I hope God sends you someone more oppressive than Sisi.”
Despite a grovelling apology after her arrest, via another posted video in which she said: “I definitely didn’t mean to offend all Egyptians”, adding that she was narrowing in on what happened with her in her four visits to Egypt, she faced charges of “deliberately spreading false rumours that are harmful to society and infringe upon religions”.
It got far far worse in July 2018, when the Egyptian Misdemeanour's Court sentenced Ms el-Mazbouh to over 8 years in prison, with hard labour and a Egyptian Pound (LE) 10,700 fine (£529 $668), for publishing the video on Facebook, which it considered insulted Egypt. However, there is a happier ending, after she appealed and a higher court cut the prison term to one year and and then suspended it.
On the 13th of September 2018 she was released from Qanater women's prison, and deported back to Lebanon. I think she should count herself very lucky to have only been in prison for 3 months .... not everyone gets off so lightly in Egypt. I actually held this post back at the time, in order not to risk exacerbating her situation until she was released, but that doesn't make the warning inherent in it, any less relevant today.
Personally I have no idea why anyone would want to holiday in a country where imprisonment is the response to almost any free speech, or opinion that is not the states, and is therefore designated as a 'crime' .... that applies equally to the UK and USA, where opinions contrary to a certain agenda, are now sometimes subject to increasing attack, and even a threat of violence.
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| Egypt Has Plenty Of Examples Of What Happens To Those On The Internet Or Social Media .. |
... especially in a very touchy country like Egypt (even in an area where all are touchy), where 'national honour' can only be satisfied by imprisoning anyone who deviates, even slightly from the myth Egypt is a great country, or that Islamic codes of behaviour are the only acceptable norms.
Mona el-Mazbouh, a Lebanese tourist in Egypt was referred to criminal trial after being arrested at the airport in June 2018, after posting a video on Facebook complaining about Egypt. She mentioned being sexually harassed by both common taxi drivers, as well as on the ride-hailing app drivers, and even by young men in the streets.
 |
| Mona el-Mazbouh Tried To Retract A Few Comments ..... |
She also criticised the poor service provided by restaurants in Ramadan, as well as her treatment after her belongings were stolen. She finished her rant off by calling Egyptians the “dirtiest people on earth” and Egypt is "the country of beggars” and “son of a bitch country” ... “You [Egyptians] deserve what Sisi is doing to you, I hope God sends you someone more oppressive than Sisi.”
Despite a grovelling apology after her arrest, via another posted video in which she said: “I definitely didn’t mean to offend all Egyptians”, adding that she was narrowing in on what happened with her in her four visits to Egypt, she faced charges of “deliberately spreading false rumours that are harmful to society and infringe upon religions”.
It got far far worse in July 2018, when the Egyptian Misdemeanour's Court sentenced Ms el-Mazbouh to over 8 years in prison, with hard labour and a Egyptian Pound (LE) 10,700 fine (£529 $668), for publishing the video on Facebook, which it considered insulted Egypt. However, there is a happier ending, after she appealed and a higher court cut the prison term to one year and and then suspended it.
On the 13th of September 2018 she was released from Qanater women's prison, and deported back to Lebanon. I think she should count herself very lucky to have only been in prison for 3 months .... not everyone gets off so lightly in Egypt. I actually held this post back at the time, in order not to risk exacerbating her situation until she was released, but that doesn't make the warning inherent in it, any less relevant today.
Personally I have no idea why anyone would want to holiday in a country where imprisonment is the response to almost any free speech, or opinion that is not the states, and is therefore designated as a 'crime' .... that applies equally to the UK and USA, where opinions contrary to a certain agenda, are now sometimes subject to increasing attack, and even a threat of violence.
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