Muslim Brotherhood Condemns Military Trials for Egyptian Activists

Khairat El Shater, Vice-Chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood, condemned the trial of two activists before a military court on Sunday, and called for the immediate repealing of military trials for civilians.

Egyptian activists Alaa Abdel Fattah and Bahaa Saber were summoned to military prosecution on Sunday morning over allegedly inciting violence during the Maspero clashes that left above 20 civilians killed and hundreds injured last October 9, 2011.

Alaa was sentenced to 15 days in military detention after refusing to respond to the prosecution's questions, saying it does not have legitimacy to interrogate a civilian.

"We reject military trials for civilians," El Shater said in a statement, "and we also strenuously reject any form of crackdown against citizens because of their free expression of opinions."

"Moreover, MB believes that civilian penal code is adequate to investigate and try any alleged crimes or violations of Egyptian law," Shater said.

Ikhwanweb expresses solidarity with Alaa Abdel Fattah and all the 28 civilians who are being tried by military courts. We join the calls for the immediate release of Alaa and his fellow activists, and will always stand up for any citizen against all forms of injustice and repression.