Egypt’s military given power to detain civilians days before presidential vote

Source: WaPo


By Ernesto Londoño, Wednesday, June 13, 3:42 PM

CAIRO — The Egyptian government announced Wednesday that military police and intelligence officers have been given the right to detain civilians, a move that appears to reflect concern about the prospect of mass protests linked to the upcoming presidential election.

News of the decree issued by the Justice Ministry came on the eve of a highly anticipated court ruling that could disqualify former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq from the presidential runoff vote set for this weekend. The ruling has the potential to unleash widespread anger, particularly if Shafiq is not ruled ineligible under a law that bars senior officials who served under President Hosni Mubarak from political life for 10 years.

The decree was dated June 4, meaning it was issued just four days after the expiration of Egypt’s infamous emergency law, which for decades gave the state broad powers to imprison Islamists and activists it said posed a threat to the ruling party.

The new edict authorizes military and intelligence officials to detain civilians for numerous alleged offenses, including disobeying orders, blocking traffic and going on strike.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypts-military-given-power-to-detain-civilians-days-before-presidential-vote/2012/06/13/gJQAVErbaV_story.html