Saad Eddine Ibrahim released, waiting for a third trial
Egypt, Politics, 12/4/2002

The Egyptian- American human rights activist Saad Eddine Ibrahim yesterday received his 64th birthday anniversary gift which falls yesterday by his release according to a decision by the "Egyptian court of cassation," which accepted his appeal to the decision of sentencing him for 7 years and retrying him for the third time in less than two years.

Ibrahim expressed his hope to "close the file of the case ultimately." He expressed confidence in the independent Egyptian judiciary, at a time when the US welcomed the decision and the "hope to make the new trial slowly," especially as Saad's case caused great tension in the bilateral relations with Egypt.

Ibrahim, accompanied by his wife Barbara, and daughter Randa returned back home in Cairo's suburbs. He said he does not expect a retrial once again.

The state supreme security court on July 29 sentenced Ibrahim who runs "Ibn Khaldoun Institute "for seven years imprisonment and other 6 persons out of 28 for periods between one to three years. The same sentence taken against him during his first trial in May 2001.

The court accused Ibrahim of receiving financial aid from the European Union without licensing and disseminating hostile information against Egypt abroad.

The American ambassador in Cairo David Welsh welcomed the decision of the court. He said in a statement "I welcome the court's today ( yesterday) decision." The ambassador said that Ibrahim's health conditions are ailing and hoped to receive the necessary medical treatment.

Following the issuance of the second imprisonment sentence against Ibrahim, the US President George Bush suspended urgent aid to Egypt estimated at more USD 130 million. A matter which raised a strong reaction in Cairo which accused the USA of interfering in its internal affairs, stressing that the decision was judicial rather than political.

Meantime, human rights organizations expressed satisfaction over the decision, while the Egyptian human rights organization expressed "great satisfaction" over the court's decision.

Previous Stories:
  Maher talks with Katz tackle situation in Palestinian areas   (12/3/2002)
  Amnesty calls for the release of Saad Eddine Ibrahim; Egypt releases scores of Muslim brothers activists   (12/3/2002)
  Al-Anbaa: Egyptian- Israeli nuclear reactor   (12/3/2002)
  Arab intellectuals, politicians call on Mubarak to release Ibrahim   (9/27/2002)
  Saad Ibrahim imprisonment halt further US aid, Egypt rejects pressure   (8/16/2002)
  Denunciations of Egyptian activists jail sentence, 16 Muslim brothers sentenced   (7/31/2002)

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