6.8.03

 

GayMiddleEast.com News

 

 

On July 26, 2003, GayMiddleEast.com reported an exclusive news story that a Gay Israeli tourist (age 31) was arrested in Cairo Egypt. As per the request of the Israeli embassy's spokesman in Cairo, Mr. Israel Tikochenski,  we did not report any of the developments in this story during the past 45   days. GayMiddleEast.com's  compliance with his request was done so that our reporting of the story would not be used as an excuse by the Egyptian authorities to hold the arrested tourist even one extra day.

Now, with the release of the Israeli tourist and his departure from Egypt, there is no reason for us not to print the entire story with all of the details that we have discovered.

 

An Israeli tourist was arrest in Cairo on June 20 2003.  This tourist, who we will call "S" in order to protect his privacy and his identity (age 31 from Jerusalem) had been held in custody in Cairo Prison for several days under interrogation by the Egyptian authorities.  The tourist was held in prison until he was finally brought in front of a judge. 

 

According to GayMiddleEast.com sources, "S" was arrested after meeting someone who he had met in a chat room in one of Cairo's internet cafe's near the American University in Cairo.  Directly after they met, he was told that he was under arrest and was taken away. 

GayMiddleEast.com news staff has spoken with the official spokesman of the Israeli embassy in Cairo, who confirmed these details, but was unable to provide us with additional facts relating to "S"'s arrest and exact whereabouts. 

As we mentioned above, we were kept abreast of the developments surrounding the case, but abided by the embassy's request not to make them public. 

 

On July 14th, "S" was scheduled to be seen in front of a Cairo judge.  "S"'s lawyer, who was hired by his family, and not appointed to him by the Egyptian court or the Israeli Embassy, had the hearing postponed in front of a judge by 8 days when he heard the judge who was going to procide over the hearing that day is known for his harsh views on cases dealing with gays. 

 

On July 22nd, "S" was finally brought before a judge, who immediately extended his stay in prison for an additional 15 days.  Until this stage of the case, as per the request of "S"'s family in Jerusalem and his attorney, the Israeli embassy kept a low profile regarding the case, and avoided any publicity on this case, except for giving legal advise to "S"s attorney.  As per Mr. Israel Tikochenski, "throughout this entire episode, we were in steady contact with the family, and especially with "S"'s brother, who was the most involved in the case of his brother." 

 

On August 5, 2003, GayMiddleEast.com news was notified that "S" has been released on condition. as on the following day he has to appear before a judge in a Cairo court.  He has been put up in a Cairo hotel by the Israeli embassy. 

On August 6 he appeared in front of a judge and was released and immediately after that he was on the way out of Egypt. At evening he arrived to Jerusalem - Israel.

   

GayMiddleEast.com news contacted "S"'s traveling companion, who was with him at the time of his arrest in Cairo in order to get first hand information, but he refused to be interviewed.  We have not been able to contact "S" as yet for comment, however, we have been told that he will not speak to anyone about the case and prefers to remain as anonymous as possible. 

 

© GayMiddleEast.com News SERVICES.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.