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The authorities claim he planned a suicide bombing in parliament. His allies insist the Iraqi MP is a respected human rights campaigner. But no one knows what has happened to him.
muntadharalzaidiThe journalist Muntadhar Al Zaïdi was sentenced on 12 March 2009, as a result of an unfair trial, to 3 years in prison for "assaulting against a foreign head of state during an official visit".
Dr Sadok Chourou, former president of the Tunisian political movement Al Nahdha was arrested on 3 December 2008 after having just been released on 5 November after 18 years of detention. He had given several interviews a few days before his questioning. On 13 December 2008, the Court of First Instance of Tunis sentenced him to one year in prison. Dr Chourou has decided to appeal this condemnation. On 14 March 2009, he will appear in court again.
Magdy Ahmed Hussein, 57, a leading opponent of the Egyptian government, was arrested on 31 January 2009 at the Rafah border crossing upon his return from the Gaza Strip. On 11 February 2009, he was immediately brought before a military court and sentenced to two years in prison and fined 5, 000 Egyptian pounds (900 dollars).
dainy_icrc_nov2008Mr Al-Dainy, an Iraqi Member of Parliament, and a human rights defender was arrested in Iraq last week on Wednesday 25 February 2009 by government forces, on false charges. We have now been informed it appears he was initially released, however now his current whereabouts are unknown and needs to be clarified.

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Mr Al-Dainy, Iraqi member of Parliament and human rights defender, was arrested and abducted in Iraq yesterday (25 February 2009) by government forces, on false charges. Government forces are now denying knowledge of his whereabouts. Mr Al-Dainy's family members have also been arrested, including his 85 year old grandfather.

Alkarama is gravely concerned about the situation of Mr Al-Dainy. We fear that Mr Al-Dainy who is currently detained in an unknown place is being subjected to torture and/or ill-treatment.

Mr Suleyman Al Alouane, aged 40, author of around twenty books of reference on Islamic Sciences, was arrested in April 2004 by agents of the General Intelligence Directorate without a judicial warrant. Since then, he has still not been presented before a magistrate.

Alkarama for Human Rights sought an intervention by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. It twice sent communications to the Saudi authorities.

Mr Saad Abu Nayan was arrested in 2004 at Mina near Mecca during the pilgrimage, without a warrant. He was a victim of ill-treatment. Since then, he is being detained without trial and without knowing the reasons for his imprisonment.

On February 23, Alkarama sent a communication to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, asking it to intervene in the case of Saad b. Ali b. Saad Abu Nayan, aged 29, a law student and resident of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Alkarama wishes to draw the attention of the Special Rapporteur on Torture to several cases of death by torture, a widespread practice in Egypt which tends to be perpetuated in part because of the total impunity that is accorded to the perpetrators by the public authorities.

Mr Abdessadek Zahran Shaheen, aged 54, resident of Tanta, was arrested outside his home during his daughter's wedding on 5 February 2009. The police officers violently beat him in the presence of numerous bystanders.