CAIRO: Lawyers outside the Military Prosecution office Tuesday said no investigation will be opened with Egyptian blogger and activist Hossam El-Hamalawy, according to eyewitnesses.
Around 100 protesters outside Military Prosecution in Nasr City chanted against military trials of civilians.
El-Hamalawy was summoned for questioning by the army Monday over statements made on Thursday’s episode of OnTV’s “Baladna Bil Masry,” along with Reem Maged, host of the show as well as journalist Nabil Sharaf El-Din.
Maged was only called in as a witness, another lawyer said after coming out of the Military Prosecution office, and El-Hamalawy is “just chatting” with officers.
"I got a phone call from a lieutenant colonel in the military media office informing me that I am summoned tomorrow before the military judicial authority over what I said on TV… last Thursday," Hamalawy told Reuters.
Hamalawy’s friends set up a Facebook page showing excerpts of the satellite talk show in which he named a senior officer as responsible for violations committed by military police.
"I have testimonies, videos and evidence of those violations that I will take with me tomorrow," Hamalawy said, adding that he saw the summons as "an arbitrary procedure."
After taking over power from ousted president Hosni Mubarak, the army has faced criticism from human rights groups after trying hundreds of civilians in military courts.
Amnesty International has said many protesters arrested during the 18-day uprising against Mubarak reported abuse by soldiers and is calling for am official investigation. –Additional reporting by Reuters.
