Prominent Gay Canadian Film Maker and ER Dr Arrested in Egypt

[cali]

John Greyson, a Toronto filmmaker, and Tarek Loubani, a London, Ont., doctor, were arrested in Egypt last Friday while passing through Cairo on their way to Gaza.

<snip>

Loubani was going to Gaza to train emergency room doctors. Greyson was accompanying him, hoping to make a documentary.

<snip>

According to a document from the Egyptian prosecutor, Greyson and Loubani, along with seven other foreign nationals, face a range of accusations, including:

• Belonging to an armed gang.

• Threatening security and social peace.

• Disabling public transport and communications.

• Possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.


<snip>

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/08/21/egypt-canadians-detained-without-charge.html

They were arrested at a police station when they went in to ask directions.

More about Greyson:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Greyson

[cali]

1. I thought this might be of interest as they were on their way to Gaza

where Loubani was going to train ER docs and because Greyson has been a pro-Palestinian rights activist

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. It is. K and R. nt

[King_David]

3. I wonder if they are both gay ?

Pretty brave and stupid to be going to Gaza if they both are Gay.

I wonder why Egypt would be holding them too?

[cali]

4. I have no idea if they're both gay

Egypt has ludicrously accused them of being associated with the MB.

Why are you wondering about any of the despicable shit that that fuckwad Al-Sissi and the military are doing? It's a reign of terror and there isn't much rhyme or reason to that.

<snip>

Ten days ago, the police arrested two left-leaning Canadians — one of them a filmmaker specializing in highly un-Islamic movies about sexual politics — and implausibly announced that they were members of the Brotherhood, the conservative Islamist group backing the deposed president, Mohamed Morsi. In Suez this month, police and military forces breaking up a steelworkers strike charged that its organizers were part of a Brotherhood plot to destabilize Egypt.

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/world/middleeast/egypt-widens-crackdown-and-meaning-of-islamist.html?pagewanted=all

[Scootaloo]

5. Because Egypt is coming down on foreigners and "leftists" right now

and judging from the detention and investigation of el-Baradei, the targeting of "intellectuals" won't be far behind. They're even arresting people for calling the coup a coup.

Typical military dictatorship stuff. Liquidate (kill and arrest) the primary political opposition, then crush and purge potential sources of future opposition. I suppose that we can expect fairly frequent action against so-called "social deviants" as well - again pretty stock stuff for the aftermath of a military coup.

You must be pretty happy with all this, though.

[cali]

6. why the fuck would I be happy about this?

I've posted more anti-coup ops than anyone on DU?

do enlighten me, hon.

[Scootaloo]

8. Not you.

I was responding to David, above. I know you're not happy with this, Cali

[King_David]

9. Why would I be happy with that, hon ? nt

[Scootaloo]

10. Well, because Israel says to support it, David

And don't you know? Democrats always support Israel And hey even on their own, the Democratic party, via the party leader in the White house, also endorse the coup and refuse to cut military aid and other funding to it. You're not a not-Democrat, are you?

[King_David]

11. Nope nt

[azurnoir]

7. why did you feel it necessary to re-brand the article?

the actual title is "Canadians arrested in Egypt during a 'very bloody day'", curious in fact John Greyson's sexual orientation is not mentioned in the OP what so ever, is that why you included the wiki bio?

now understand me I am no fan of Egypt's military dictatorship and suspect the US/Saudi Arabia are shoulder deep in this. It seems the detention of foreign nationals without any actual legal charges being brought against is damning enough on it's own

that said I am curious, it's really neither here nor there however it would seem germane if Mr Greyson's sexual orientation was the reason for his detention, but it is not , was that your point?

but there is hope for a 'happy' ending here as the article says according Cecilia Greyson, John Greyson's sister

As far as she knows, no charges have been laid against the men.

They are being held at a prison north of Cairo and Greyson said she hopes the lawyer will get to see her brother and Loubani today.

Shalakany said although the two Canadians face serious allegations, he is optimistic that they will be released soon.