By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

BAQUBA, Iraq – Blasts in the Iraqi cities of Baquba, Ramadi, Mosul, and Baghdad killed more than 70 and injured more than 100 yesterday.

At approximately 10:50 a.m., a vehicle filled with explosives detonated outside a restaurant in Baquba, killing 53 and injuring 90.  The Baquba police estimated that nearly 1,400 pounds of explosives were packed into the vehicle.

A suicide bombing in Ramadi outside a kebab restaurant killed thirteen; three were killed and twelve were wounded in another car bombing in Mosul; and three were killed and eight were injured in Baghdad in a car bomb blast that targeted police patrol.

BCC reports that Sunni Islamist groups inspired by al-Qaeda are likely suspects.

The death toll in Baquba is expected to rise, said police.  There were still burnt bodies inside the cars at the scene.  Most of the bodies were burned beyond identification, and most of the dead appeared to be women and children.  Baquba is known as an insurgent stronghold.

One physician described the scene in Baquba:  “Some of the bodies that came to the hospital were, let’s say, not bodies, but only a hand or a torso.”

The Baquba attack was one of the most deadly in Iraq in months, where it appeared the U.S. surge strategy was successful in preventing civilian deaths.  This week, however, has seen several attacks.  Seventeen were also killed in two bomb attacks near Mosul Monday, among them 12 members of the Iraqi army.

American and Iraqi forces were backed by Awakening Councils in Baquba and Ramadi, which are mostly Sunni organizations that oppose Sunni extremists.  Baquba residents said that the attacks were probably retaliation for their decision to fight these groups.

Rear Adm. Greg Smith – the chief spokesman for the U.S. military there – told the New York Times that the attacks show that al-Qaeda could regenerate and strike, despite not controlling the territory as it had.

“They no longer possess the capability to terrorize and intimidate the major population centers or large swaths of Iraq’s countryside, but they certainly maintain both the will and the capacity to indiscriminately kill and maim innocent Iraqi citizens with vehicle and suicide bombs,” he said.

Authorities are no sure if the triple car bombing was coordinated or not.

For more information, please see:
BBC News – Dozens dead as Iraq cities bombed – 16 April 2008

New York Times – Dozens killed in Bombings in Four Iraqi Cities – 16 April 2008

Times Online – Dozens killed in car bombs across Iraq – 15 April

Agence France Press – Iraq bombings, clashes kill 62 – 15 April 2008

Gramma International – Lethal day in Iraq, 69 dead – 15 April 2008

San Francisco Chronicle – Explosions kill dozens in 2 cities – 16 April 2008

Daily Dispatch – Car bombs rip through Iraqi lull – 16 April 2008

Guardian – Bomb attacks kill at least 50 people as new wave of violence hits Iraq – 16 April 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – An Egyptian military court convicted 25 members of the Muslim Brotherhood on various charges including money laundering and supporting terrorism.  Specifically, they were alleged to have financed a banned organization and provided students with weapons and military training.

Of the 25 sentenced, five received ten year sentences, two received seven years, five were sentenced to five years and the remaining thirteen received three years sentences. 15 individuals were acquitted of the charges but are not yet released.

Among those convicted were the Muslim Brotherhood’s chief strategist, Khayrat al-Shater, and its prominent financier, businessman Hassan Malik.  Shater and Malik were each sentenced to seven year imprisonment.  Malik and six other convicted men were tried absentia.

The group’s lawyer, Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Maqsud, told Daily News Egypt that “it is a harsh sentence and there was no case in the first place.”  “This was a politically-motivated case tried in a court which guarantees no rights to those standing trial.”

Amnesty International spokeswoman Nicole Choueiry stated, “The sentences handed down against 25 members of the Muslim Brotherhood today are a subversion of justice in Egypt.”  Amnesty International claimed that the trial was politically motivated from the beginning: “Today’s sentences leave no doubt that the Egyptian authorities are bent on continuing their relentless campaign to undermine at all levels the main opposition group in the country.”

Even though all 40 defendants on trial were civilians, they were tried before a military court.  Under the framework of a military court, Egypt was able to exercise more control over the trial.  For example, when the verdict was announced, defendants’ lawyers were not present, nor were family members permitted into the court.  In addition, independent observers, some sent by Amnesty International, were not permitted to attend the sentencing.

Another important difference between military court and civilian court is the defendant’s ability to appeal the verdict.  In a military court, the defendants are able to appeal to the Supreme Court of Military Appeals, but that court is only able to examine procedural matters, not the merits of the case.

The political aspect of the trial is evidenced by the fact that the accused were referred to a military court by presidential decree.  Earlier, a civilian criminal court threw out charges against 17 of the accused.

Additionally, 34 individuals were arrested during scuffles between demonstrators and state police outside the court building.  The incident began as relatives of the accused tried to force their way into the closed sentencing.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera –  Egypt Jails Brotherhood Leaders – 15 April 2008

Amnesty International – Perversion of Justice – 25 Face Jail in Egypt – 15 April 2008

Associated Press – 25 Egypt Opposition Members Sentences – 15 April 2008

BBC – Egyptians Jail 25 Brotherhood Men – 15 April 2008

Daily News Egypt – Brotherhood Trials Ends in Prison Terms as Trouble Erupts Outside Court – 15 April 2008

Middle East Times – Egypt Jails 25 Islamists in “Political” Trial – 15 April 2008

TEHRAN, Iran – Hundreds of Iranians have signed an open letter calling for women’s rights defender Khadijeh Moghaddam to be released.  Moghaddam was arrested on April 8 on charges of acting against national security.  She is involved in the drive to gather one million signatures opposing laws that discriminate against women.  She is also an environmental activist.  Bail was set at one billion rials (108,000 dollars).  The letter was sent to newspapers and websites across Iran.

The letter was signed by over 600 people and demanded that Khadijeh Moghaddam’s “illegal detention” end as soon as possible.  The letter said, “Moghaddam is a pioneer in environmental protection in Iran,” the letter said, noting her cooperation with city officials over waste management and protests against deforestation.  “She has been active for years in creating jobs for women and forming women’s cooperatives,” it added. “Who would believe Moghaddam has harmed national security or caused public offence?”

Amnesty International said they believed Moghaddam was arrested solely for her work to increase the support for equal rights for Iranian women.  Several women have been jailed for their involvement in the campaign as Iran has stepped up arrests of human rights campaigners and trade unionists over the past year.  One of the campaign’s leaders, Parvin Ardalan, was barred from leaving Iran in March to collect a prestigious Swedish rights award, the Olof Palme Prize.  She won the award for her contributions to the women’s rights movement.

For more information, please see:
Radio Free Europe – Iran: Arrests, Jailings of Political and Rights Activists Continue – 14 April 2008

AFP – Iran Activists Protest Feminist’s Arrest – 12 April 2008

BBC – Iran Pressed to Free Campaigner – 12 April 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

NAHAL OZ, Israel – On April 9, Gazan militants attacked the Nahal Oz Terminal, which provides Gaza with most of its fuel supplies.  Shortly following a delivery, two militants launched mortar shells at the terminal’s fuel depot, while two others climbed over the border fence.  Once in Israel, the militants shot and killed two Israeli contractors.  Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers responded quickly and arrived at the crossing within minutes.  IDF engaged the militants and killed two, while two others were able to escape.

Shortly following the raid, an IDF air strike targeted a vehicle carrying the fleeing militants.  In addition, a subsequent Israeli air strike targeted a militant’s house in Gaza City.  In total, at least eight Palestinians were killed in the strikes.  Some of those killed were four civilians, including a 15 year old boy.

Following the raid at the Nahal Oz Terminal, Israel closed the crossing, effectively stopping all fuel deliveries to Gaza.  The spokesman for the Israeli military liaison office with Gaza, Shady Yassim stated that “Its opening will depend on the security evaluation.”  Israel did not ship fuel on April 10, and at least two Israeli ministers said that Israel should cut if off completely following the attack.

Three Palestinian groups, including the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) claimed responsibility for the attack.  “The target was a Zionist army base and the aim was to abduct soldiers to swap them for Palestinian prisoners,” said Abu Mujahed, a spokesman for the PRC.

While the attack was claimed by the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, Israel placed sole responsibility on Hamas.  “Hamas clearly controls the Gaza Strip. They are directly responsible for this attack and we will hold them accountable,” said Mark Regev, the spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

A Foreign Ministry statement said “Israel considers the ruling Hamas in the Gaza Strip the sole party responsible for today’s terror attack at the Nahal Oz Terminal. Hamas bears responsibility and will also bear the consequences.”

The attack follows several weeks of uneasy peace between Israel and Gaza, where Palestinian rocket attacks and IDF operations have decreased amid Egypt’s efforts to broker a ceasefire.  However, the Associated Press states that Hamas has expressed impatience with Egypt’s failure to forge a cease-fire and repeatedly accused the world of ignoring the plight of Gazans.

Instead of, or in addition to, violence, many Gazans are peacefully demonstrating to attract international attention to their plight.  On April 10, hundreds of Gazans gathered at major junctions in Gaza City to protest against the Israeli blockade and accompanying economic sanctions.  In addition, a mass demonstration has been called for on April 11.

In related news, prior to the Nahal Oz Terminal attack, one IDF soldier and one Hamas militant were killed during an IDF raid in southern Gaza near Khan Younis.  An Israeli army spokeswoman stated that ten Palestinians were arrested during the raid and brought to Israel.  IDF stated that the raid was in response to shooting near the border and to prevent future attacks.

For more information, please see:
AFP – Israel Threatens Retaliation After Gaza Violence – 10 April 2008

Associated Press – Gaza Gunmen Kill 2 in Southern Israel – 10 April 2008

The Independent – Hamas Blamed After Two Israelis Killed at Fuel Depot – 10 April 2008

International Herald Tribune – Gaza Fuel Depot Closed After Militants from Gaza Kill Two Israelis in Border Attack – 10 April 2008

Jerusalem Post – Israel Closes Nahal Oz Crossing Following Terror Attack – 10 April 2008

Middle East Online – Israel Says to ‘Settle the Score’ with Hamas – 10 April 2008

The Telegraph – Two Israelis Die in Battle at Fuel Depot – 10 April 2008

Al Jazeera – Palestinians in Cross-Border Raid – 9 April 2008

BBC – Gaza Gunmen Attack Border Depot – 9 April 2008

MAHALLA AL-KUBRA, Egypt- In the Northern Delta town, Egyptian police arrested nine journalists and activists.  The people in the city were roused because of the escalating food prices.  The rising prices combined with the low wages has made it more difficult for the people to survive.  According to Yahoo news, the bread price in Egypt has risen by 48% in the past year.  The journalists were covering the events related to the Egyptian opposition movement Kefaya.

The group is calling for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down from power.  President Mubarak has ruled Egypt since former President Anwar Sadat’s assassination.  President Mubarak has received much criticism because his expansion of presidential powers because of the state of emergency that has existed since Sadat’s assassination in 1981.  In his desire to quell possible threats to the national peace he has arrested many members of both the Muslim Brotherhood and Coptic Christians.  His tactics have disenfranchised him from many Egyptians.

The Kefaya have incited riots in the area.  There have been over 300 people arrested and one person killed during the two days of protests in the city.  One of the people arrested was the former chief of the Kefaya movement, Ishaq.  The Kefaya group believes that the government sought to employ “agents” that were used “to create chaos and justify the massacre.”  (AFP) They believe that the police have responded with disproportional force.

Unlike the protesters, the journalists were freed.

For more information, please see:

Afriquenligne-  Egyptian govt arrests 9 Journalists as media workers groan- 13 April 2008

AFP- Egypt opposition movement protests wave of arrests- 10 April 2008

The Media Line- Egypt Releases “Riot Journalists”- 13 April 2008

Yahoo News!-  Egypt bread price up nearly 50 percent in 12 months- 12 April 2008