Military soldiers arrested seven people in the Domietta governorate during the constitutional referendum Saturday. All seven were referred to military prosecution and could face military trials.
One citizen, Adel Mohamed, was arrested in Faskour while six others were arrested and charged with rioting in the Al-Zarqa area, said No Military Trials for Civilians member Mohamed Salamany.
“They were not taken to a civilian prosecutor, we have not found any records of them. A lawyer is now at the Ismailia military prosecution office trying to locate them,” said Salamany.
President Mohamed Morsy granted military personnel the right to arrest civilians during the constitutional referendum in order to protect the voting process. Morsy’s decree said the power extended until the official results were announced.
However, the presidency then released a statement saying those arrested by the military would face civilian trials.
Over 12,000 civilians have faced military trials since the 25 January 2011 uprising.
The new constitution allows for military trials for civilians in special circumstances “as regulated by the law.” The upper house of parliament, the Shura Council, will assume legislative powers once the constitution is ratified.
