CAIRO - Egyptian blogger and democracy activist Hossam El-Hamalawy said on Monday he had been summoned for questioning by the army after he accused a military official of instigating abuses against civilians.
"I got a phone call from a lieutenant colonel in the military media office informing me that I am summoned tomorrow before the military judicial authority over what I said on TV... last Thursday," Hamalawy told Reuters. Hamalawy's friends set up a Facebook page showing excerpts of the satellite talk show in which he named a senior officer as responsible for violations committed by military police. "I have testimonies, videos and evidence of those violations that I will take with me tomorrow," Hamalawy said, adding that he saw the summons as "an arbitrary procedure". The questioning could end the same day without charges or he could be transferred to court, Hamalawy said. An army source said the ruling military council had not issued an official statement on the case. The army took power in Egypt after an uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11. It won broad popular support for ensuring order and a smooth transition to an interim government but has faced criticism from human rights groups after trying hundreds of civilians in military courts. The army has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing against "honourable citizens" and said only criminals were arrested and tried.
