ALEXANDRIAN BLOGGER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS

UNCLAS CAIRO 000489 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NSC FOR WATERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KIRF EG SUBJECT: ALEXANDRIAN BLOGGER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS REF: CAIRO 198 Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Egyptian blogger Abdel Karim Nabil Soliman was found guilty and sentenced to a total of four years in prison on February 22 at an Alexandria court hearing. He received a 3-year sentence for "inciting hatred of Islam and insulting the Prophet Mohamed," and 1-year sentence for "defaming the President of the Republic." His lawyers tell us they plan to appeal the decision to a higher court, and that they will file the initial appeal paperwork on February 25. According to reports in the Egyptian press, Abdel Karim's father has publicly disowned his son, criticizing him for "imitating the West," and disparaging civil society and human rights associations "who are trying to acquit my son, as they are trying to pressure the court." Background on the case reported reftel. ¶2. (SBU) We recommend the following press guidance, to be used on an only if asked basis: -- We are extremely concerned by the conviction and sentencing to imprisonment of Mr. Abdel Karim for expressing his opinions. -- We do not follow the blog. Some of the content may indeed be offensive. We do not endorse or condone offensive content. However, the role of freedom of expression is critical in a democratic and prosperous society. RICCIARDONE