'Justice finally prevailed'
Sociologist and democracy activist Saadeddin Ibrahim is now completely free. Jailan Halawi reports on the last chapter of a case that has put Egyptian civil society to a bitter test
"Although it took three years," said prominent human rights activist Saadeddin Ibrahim after his acquittal on Tuesday, "justice finally prevailed, bringing an end to all the suffering my family, friends and I had to go through."
A sociologist of international renown, Ibrahim's case was one of the highest profile trials of recent years. On Tuesday, the courtroom was packed with domestic and international media people, diplomats from Europe and North America, and representatives of domestic and international human rights organisations, all of whom waited in anticipation of the final verdict.
Ibrahim -- a 64-year-old American University in Cairo sociology professor and director of the Ibn Khaldun Centre for Developmental Studies (ICDS) who holds US as well as Egyptian citizenship -- had taken the legal system's longest- possible ride. Arrested in June 2000, and sentenced by a state security court in May 2001 to seven years in prison for receiving foreign funds without government permission, Ibrahim appealed to the Court of Cassation after serving almost nine months in jail. That appeal led to the overturning of the original ruling and another state security court trial. This second round resulted in yet another seven-year sentence, which Ibrahim again appealed. This time, the Court of Cassation itself -- which accepted the second appeal -- was the venue for Ibrahim's final stab at liberty.
As the court announced that it had acquitted him of all charges, the verdict was met with shouts of jubilation and tears of happiness in the eyes of Ibrahim's family and friends. While reporters immediately pounced, bombarding him with questions, Ibrahim's first reaction was, "Thank God. Thank God."
Later, the sociologist said he had been "confident of the court... and of my innocence".
Human rights groups -- which had described Ibrahim's ordeal as a politically motivated attempt by the Egyptian government to stifle freedom of expression and to intimidate the whole Egyptian human rights movement into silence -- welcomed the verdict.
"This is what we have come to expect from the Court of Cassation, which is a court of independence and justice," Secretary-General of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights Hafez Abu-Sa'eda told Al-Ahram Weekly.
David Danzig of the US-based Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, said, "we hope this verdict not only vindicates Saad but also clears the way for all Egyptians to publicly speak their mind without fear of being thrown in jail for what they say."
With tears in her eyes, Ibrahim's daughter Randa described the acquittal as the "most wonderful surprise". Speculation in the lead up to the verdict had centered around the idea that Ibrahim might be reconvicted, perhaps on a lesser charge, but then released on a suspended sentence, or because of time he had already served. Acquittal seemed unlikely based on the harshness of the previous state security court verdicts. "I had just hoped he would be free, but now I feel ecstatic," Randa said.
Following the verdict, the US Embassy issued a statement welcoming the court's ruling. "We are very pleased that this long ordeal is now over and Dr Ibrahim is free to continue his work and receive the medical attention he needs," said US Ambassador to Egypt David Welch. "Today's verdict by the Court of Cassation demonstrates why this judicial body is so respected."
The sociologist's case had resulted in a serious US-Egyptian political rift, which reached its peak after the second conviction, when the US administration announced that it would oppose extra US aid to Egypt beyond the $2 billion the country receives each year in military and economic assistance.
British Embassy Spokesman Irfan Siddiq also welcomed the verdict, saying, "we have long supported Dr Saad and his work and we are very pleased with this outcome."
According to sources close to the investigation, who spoke to the Weekly on their customary condition of anonymity, "the prosecution presented the court with a clear case of wrongdoing, but it is obvious that the government does not have the guts to anger the US -- thus, the court issued its 'politically' motivated acquittal."
Ibrahim, however, denied that the verdict was the result of any sort of outside pressure on Egypt. Instead, he described it is as "a manifestation of the judiciary's independence, which based its verdict on a thorough reading into facts, rather than false charges being thrown at innocent people".
Voicing the same opinion, Ibrahim Saleh, who headed Ibrahim's defence team, said, "this is utterly not a political verdict. The Egyptian judiciary, was, is, and always will be a place for those who have been wronged to resort to, as they hope for the triumph of justice and freedom. I refute and denounce all claims that describe the case as political. The judiciary is loftier and nobler than to be influenced by any pressures."
All but one of Ibrahim's associates at Ibn Khaldoun -- who had previously received sentences ranging from one to five years, were acquitted by the Cassation Court. Only Magda El-Beih was sentenced to a suspended six-month term for forging an official stamp.
Ibrahim's health had deteriorated during the span of the ordeal, but although he still finds walking difficult, he already looked healthier as he assured reporters that he would continue to work towards advocating democracy and freedom, immediately after seeking out the medical treatment he needs, and spending time with his family.
Whether Ibrahim's trial and retrial represents a victory for human rights and civil society or a lesson in the limits of freedom of expression and NGO activities, Ibrahim himself was finally able to walk out of court as a free man again. "I hope this ordeal does not happen again -- either to me or any other intellectual," he said.
C a p t i o n : Ibrahim and his daughter Randa rejoice after his acquittal
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 20 - 26 March 2003 (Issue No. 630)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/630/eg8.htm