Egypt

University security releases student who touted anti-military activist’s seminar

Security agents at Suez Canal University in Ismailia released on Tuesday a student who had given out pamphlets about a seminar attended by activist blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah.

Mohamed Mohsen was released after hours in detention after he distributed invitations for the student-run seminar on the future of student movements.

"They apprehended me and took my university ID card. When I met with the university's president, he told me he refuses to let any political figure inside the campus," Mohsen told Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Abd El Fattah had been detained by Egypt's military over his suspected involvement in the clashes between civilians and army personnel following a Copt-led march outside the Maspero state TV building in Cairo last October that left 27 dead.

Abd El Fattah was charged, along with 27 other suspects, with the murder of a soldier, stealing weapons from the armed forces and destroying public and private property.

But authorities released Abd El Fattah in late December, even though investigations into the incident continue.

Amr al-Shemaly, one of the event's organizers, said the university's board initially approved the seminar. But when the students came to put the final touches on holding the event, they were surprised by the university's disapproval.

"We were informed by university insiders that the refusal came from the National Security Agency's office," Shemaly said. He said they insist on holding the seminar on time and with Abd El Fattah present.

Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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