Military policing powers a ‘dangerous precedent'

A new law issued by Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi giving military officers policing powers is a dangerous loophole which may well lead to the military trial of civilians, Amnesty International warned. A decree issued on December 9 states all military officers will have the right to exercise judicial powers until the results of a referendum on a draft constitution are announced. That vote is due to be held on December 15. “Considering the track record of the army while they were in charge, with more than 120 protesters killed and in excess of 12,000 civilians unfairly tried before military courts, this sets a dangerous precedent,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International. In addition, a new law to “protect the revolution”, which allows prosecutors to detain people for up to six months in preventive detention without trial while they are investigated for press and media offences, organising protests, striking and “thuggery”, has not been repealed.