By Ali Omar
The army today released an official statement on its Facebook page claiming the arrest of a 12 year-old boy in Sheikh Zuweid. The army claims he was being used by “infidels and terrorist groups” to monitor the movements of security forces.
An army spokesperson confirmed that the boy had been arrested and will see a judge. The spokesperson did not know if he would be tried before a civilian or military court, or whether he was held in a juvenile detention facility or a prison.
The post, which gives no information about the boy’s supposed offence, chastises the militants’“exploitation of children and women”, actions that it claims are devoid of human emotion.
The announcement is accompanied by a number of photos, one with the terrified, shoeless boy standing in front of a white pickup truck, showing a two-way radio he apparently was caught with. Another shows a barrel full of a non-descript gray powder wrapped in a blanket. Two other photographs show the boy sitting inside the pickup.
Ghada Shabandar, Human Rights advocate, immediately expressed concern that the army would release the minor’s photo, especially in such a public forum. “This is a violation of laws that protect children”, she said.
Thearmy’s brief post ends by announcing that Egypt will remain strong, due to its “children who sacrifice their blood in order to protect Egypt”.
