Summary:
Four young Egyptians have been remanded in custody, accused of making fun of the government in a satirical video posted on social networks, according to judicial sources. The move is the latest in a crackdown on voices critical of the authorities in Egypt. Their latest production appears to have touched a nerve as police round up activists involved in April protests against the president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, for handing over two islands to Saudi Arabia. In the group’s latest video, Street Children mock the devaluation of the Egyptian pound as well as the return of the islands to Saudi Arabia. The four are accused of “promoting ideas calling for terrorist acts by posting a video on social networks and YouTube”, Ottman said.
Key data/statistical information:
- On Tuesday, Mohammed Adel, Mohammed Gabr, Mohammed al-Dessouki and Mohammed Yehya were remanded in custody for 15 days, their lawyer and a judiciary official said.
- A Cairo court on Tuesday ordered the release on bail of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (about 990 euros) for a fifth member of the group, Ezzedine Khaled.
What's my view?
New and digital media has given the audience the opportunity to state their opinions on-line. However, from a Marxists point of view we are enjoying an illusion of autonomy. As this article shows, the elites are still able to decide what should be said and what shouldn't about the government. The fact that the young Egyptians were arrested shows that the police is trying to scare people into not saying anything bad about the government.
No comments:
Post a Comment