Prominent Egyptian Blogger Released From Jail, Remains On Trial

A prominent Egyptian blogger jailed for insulting deposed President Mohamed Morsi was released from prison on Saturday, state news agency MENA said, but he remained on trial for inciting violence.

Ahmed Douma was sentenced to six months in jail for calling Morsi a criminal and a murderer in media interviews, in a case activists said was part of a crackdown on dissent by Morsi and his Islamist-led government.

Morsi was toppled by the military on Wednesday a year after he became Egypt’s first freely elected president, following mass protests against his him amid economic stagnation and fears of a power grab by his Muslim Brotherhood movement.

On Thursday, the public prosecution ordered Douma’s release in the first case – insulting Morsi.

But he remained in custody until Saturday on a separate charge of inciting violence during protests near the Brotherhood’s headquarters in March, when at least 130 people were injured.

Douma is due to appear in court again on Sunday, along with twelve other activists, when that trial resumes.

Reuters