مركز هشام مبارك للقانون

HRINFO welcomed today the decision of Ras Kheima criminal court to free internet activist Khalid el-Asly without bail after he was arrested on grounds of defamation after allegedly wrote an essay on Majan.net. The head of Ras khima medical department filed a lawsuit against elAsly accusing him of defamation. Based on what mentioned, about him in that essay. Asly was released after the plaintiff failed to prove any connection between Asly and the essay titled" unequal employment" -a link to the essay is included- the court adjourned the hearing to next Thursday 30 August. "The defendant didn't produce any evidence to incriminate Khale el-Asly, why then he was detained for 4 days? Would activists face detention in Emirates on grounds of suspicions? In addition to that, if we assumed that that essay is allegedly belonging to Mr.Asly, it dosen't contain any defamation against the plaintiff. In countries that respect the freedom of expression, essays written in much stronger language than that essay wouldn't incriminate the writer of any accusation of defmation ".Said Mr.Gamal Eid the executive director of HRINFO. Regarding Mjan.net boss, Muhamed Shouhi the appeal hearing is set to take place on 26the Aug , despite the fact that the court released him on 50,000 Dirham bail , the prison officials refused to free him as they claimed that he is wanted on other counts they refused to disclose.