Egyptian writer and journalist Ahmed Naje was brought to court Saturday, where he faces trial for writing an article containing “obscene sexual content,” as many on social media express solidarity with the writer. Prominent writers Mohamed Salmawy and Sonallah Ibrahim attended the hearing, Naje said on Twitter. The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression said prosecutors questioned during the trial if the “description of genitals” can be considered creativity, saying “porn films are more creative.” Naje has sent out a message on Twitter expressing astonishment as to how two representatives of the prosecution are pleading, in a message on Twitter. Typically only one prosecutor pleads during trial. This is Naje’s second appearance in court in this trial and many are using social media to express solidarity with him, including writer and public speaker Mona Eltahawy and columnist Sultan Al-Qassemi. His crime was publishing a chapter from his novel “Use of Life” in August 2014. The chapter was published in a literary magazine belonging to Akhbar Al-Youm. Set in Cairo, the novel tells the story of Bassam, a man lost inside a “spiderweb of emotional frustration and failure.” Oscillating between the present, the past…
Fifty Shades of Grey? Egyptian Journalist on Trial for Writing ‘Obscene Sexual Content’
December 12, 2015
