Military to Democracy Activists: Support Us or Go to Jail

[Valin]

The Feed:

12/23/13

 

Egypts military dealt a heavy blow to the liberal democracy movement that played a big role in toppling the Mubarak regime back in 2011. Three activist leadersAhmed Maher, Mohamed Adel and Ahmed Doumawere convicted of participating in recent protests and sentenced to three years in prison and fined thousands of dollars. It is time to shut up, to stay quiet, the director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information told the New York Times. There is only one choice to support the military or to be in jail.

 

The jailing of the three democracy activists follows charges against top leaders of the Islamist movement, including President Morsi, in recent days. Egypts military leaders are carefully picking off their enemies.

 

(Snip)

 

The militarys methods for consolidating power are becoming clear: promise to hold elections, put the old government back together, stabilize the economy, pick off enemies, and weaken rival organizations. Meanwhile, the international community is holding its tongue. Most Egyptians, for their part, seem grateful for the returning stability that the military provides, and are more concerned with putting their lives back together than inquiring after what charges are brought against various noisy democracy activists.