Use of military courts against civilians criticized by Egyptian rights organizations

An Egyptian human rights organization criticized the decision of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to present 20 suspected members of the Muslim Brothers group, whose activity has been prohibited since the 1950s, to the military judiciary and called for Egypt to stop trying civilians in military courts.

The Egyptian Human Rights Organization expressed regret for the republican decision which coincided with preparing for the elections of the trade unions.

The Arab center for the judiciary's independence in Cairo depicted the order as contradicting with principles of criminal legislation and international agreements for human rights ratified by Egypt.

The suspects in the case belong to unions of lawyers, merchants, engineers, pharmacists and medical professionals.