10 - 16 May 2001
Issue No.533
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 10 - 16 May 2001 Issue No.533 |
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Presumptions of guilt and innocence
A book written in defence of prominent NGO activist Saadeddin Ibrahim, who is currently standing trial, has landed its author in trouble, reports Nadia Abou El-Magd
A picture of sociologist Saadeddin Ibrahim standing trial in the defendant's caged dock graces the cover of a book entitled An Intellectual Under Siege: The Trial of the Ibn Khaldoun Centre. Even though the publication is not yet available, the book's author, Mukhtar Qassem, and its publisher, Mohamed Hashem, were questioned last week by state security prosecutors.
Both were said to have sought to "influence the judges hearing the case, and also to influence public opinion in favour of the defendant [Ibrahim]." Since prosecutors have not imposed a ban on writing about the case, which is still in court, Qassem's response was straight-forward: "Did you question everyone who has written about this case, or is it just me?" The two were released, but could be summoned again any time.
Press commentary about Ibrahim's case has been extensive, and more often than not, defamatory, openly condemning the defendant who, by law, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Qassem, who is Ibrahim's assistant and legal consultant, fumed about the questioning. "How can a book, which is not available on the market yet, influence public opinion?" he asked. In addition to being accused of trying to subvert the trial, Qassem was also asked whether Ibrahim was the actual author.
Qassem said he had planned to publish the book last year, before Ibrahim's arrest, as the campaign against the Ibn Khaldoun Centre intensified. The arrest of Ibrahim, and then of Qassem, delayed publication until last month.
Ibrahim, director of the Ibn Khaldoun Centre for Developmental Studies and a sociology professor at the American University in Cairo, was arrested on 30 June of last year and remanded in custody before being released on bail. He and 27 associates face charges of accepting foreign funds without government authorisation to finance two projects for promoting political awareness and participation in national elections. They are also accused of compiling false reports about the status of Copts in Egypt, attempting to embezzle money and making plans to bribe radio and television officials to broadcast programmes about the Ibn Khaldoun Centre. Ibrahim's trial opened in November and prosecutors have demanded a 15-year imprisonment sentence.
Ibrahim flatly denies having anything to do with the book, which he is not particularly impressed by. "I don't need to hide behind anyone; had I been in the practice of hiding behind others, I wouldn't have stood in the cage," he told Al Ahram Weekly. "The book lacks substance," he added. "Had Mukhtar showed it to me in advance, I wouldn't have approved it."
The book, which falls in at 573 pages, is mostly a compilation of articles written against Ibrahim and his centre and the author's response. The chapters authored by Qassem were written in jail, when he was detained for a month last November and accused of being an active member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Qassem denies the charge, claiming that he was arrested so that he would not be able to monitor last year's parliamentary elections and notes that he was released once the elections were over.
In a chapter entitled "Searching for Saadeddin Ibrahim", Qassem writes that it is not important whether the court finds Ibrahim innocent or guilty. "The problem is how we are treating our intellectuals, how we are pushing them towards chronic depression, complete frustration and into losing any hope of reform. Their choice becomes either to commit suicide in their homeland or die in exile."
Ibrahim Saleh, leading a team of four lawyers defending Ibrahim, said that Ibrahim had not informed him about the book, but when he received a copy, he told his client that "publishing this book while the case is still in court is wrong." Not that it will influence the judges in any way, but "it is premature and unsuitable for someone to write such a book at this time," Saleh told the Weekly.
The trial will resume on 19 May, and a verdict is expected in June.
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