Politicizing a fair trial in Egypt

I am referring to the article U.S. watches Egypt smother reform from Augustus Richard Norton published in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 15, 2002.

Contrary to the claims mentioned in the article, I would like to state certain facts that were deliberately twisted by Norton.

First, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, who has lived and worked in Egypt for more than 25 years in freedom, has been charged, by court, with tarnishing Egypt's image abroad, receiving donations without permission, embezzling funds from the European Union, bribing public employees and forging papers. That is why he was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

Second, Ibrahim's case is a criminal case which some media circles seek to politicize, for the sake of some others, to distort the role Egypt always plays.

Third, Ibrahim stood in front of competent court and was courted a fair trial. Moreover, the Egyptian judicial system accepted Dr. Ibrahim's appeal of his original sentence and on that basis afforded him a retrial, which reexamined the merits of the case. So, he enjoyed all the defendants's rights.

Fourth, Egypt believes in the separation of the executive and judicial branches. The political leadership never interferes in the judicial system. Accordingly, carrying an American citizenship does not give Ibrahim any privilege as all people are equal before law.

Finally, Egypt's judicial system will never respond or bow to any pressure of any kind to change the court verdict. That is why I am asking you to kindly publish our reply in your paper under this title " Politicizing a Fair Trial in Egypt ".

ATEF M. HOSNY

Press Counsellor

Egyptian Embassy

Jakarta