CAIRO: Former terrorist suspect and ghost detainee turned blogger, Abo Omar El-Masri, claims that state security has shut down two of his Internet blogs.
The Alexandria-based cleric, also known as Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr, joined Egypt’s vibrant blogosphere in July this year, airing his thoughts on life, politics and religion on his weblog “aboomarelmasri.
When Omar decided to post a recent poem he wrote on his kidnapping by American CIA agents in 2003 and subsequent alleged torture in Egyptian prison, he argues that state security closed the blog.
“They shut it down approximately a month ago, probably because I was writing about powerful issues, Abo Omar told Daily News Egypt. Abo Omar is referring to a graphic poem in which he detailed his torture.
When attempting to access the blog, Daily News Egypt was transferred to the main page of the Internet blog domain “maktobblog.
Omar argues that the security authorities closed down a second blog he recently started with the aim of raising awareness about other members of the banned Islamic organization Gamaa Al-Islamiya; his former affiliation, who have also been subject to alleged kidnapping and mistreatment.
“Of course, it’s not fine. But at least the computer is still here, Abo Omar told Daily News Egypt when asked his opinion on the matter.
Attempts to reach the interior ministry for comments failed.
Currently an alleged cyber dissident, Abo Omar is perhaps more famous for his four-year involuntary journey as a ghost detainee, making him one of the most famous cases of the US-led practice of extraordinary rendition.
Kidnapped by CIA agents while walking down the streets of Milan, Italy in 2003 on terrorist suspicions, Omar was transferred to Egypt via Germany where he spent several years in Tora prison and various security facilities.
While in Egyptian detainment, Omar claims to have been subject to repeated torture and abuse.
After being released, re-arrested, transfered, and even disappearing for a few days in early 2007, Omar was finally released from prison in February 2007.
Upon his release, Omar sued both the American and Italian secret services for his abduction. Twenty-five CIA agents and seven Italian citizens are currently standing trial in Rome, including Nicolo Pollari, the former director of the Italian military intelligence service.
The majority of the agents are being tried in absentia and it remains unclear if any will face jail time.
While the wife and son of Abo Omar were previously granted permission to attend the trial in Milan, Abo Omar himself has not been allowed to leave Egypt for the trial.
Currently free on paper, Abo Omar reiterates that he is still a prisoner in practice.
“I can’t work. I can’t get a national identity card, I can’t apply for a passport. I can’t leave Alexandria without permission from the Egyptian authorities. I know my phones are tapped. My life is still restrained, Omar said in a previous interview with Daily News Egypt.
