More on the Judges Crackdown

News from Egypt: Yesterday Mr Amir Salem and Mr Ehab el Kholy, were taken and interrogated by state security prosecution for inciting masses and insulting the president. These charges, which I believe to be politically motivated, could bring jail time. Both lawyers represent Ayman Nour, who is three weeks away from his appeal. Both are also leading and recognizable human rights defenders.

Mr Salem,53, is the head of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights and one of the founders of human rights in Egypt, He is also establishing a new party and is the head of "Lawyers for change movement" and finally, he is the head of Nour's defense team.

Ehab Kholy,43, is a liberal opposition political activist, head of the organisation committee at El Ghad party, Nour's lawyer and was also in charge of mobilizing members in support for judges and for Nour.

Both were among eight or so activists arrested in addition to the crackdown on the judges. Also arrested was Emad Farid, executive director of El Ghad information and media center was also arrested, interrogated and imprisoned for 15 days.

This is horrible, though not unexpected news. The only sign of hope is this is an act of a nervous government, perhaps sensing how tenuous is its legitimacy.