Egypt: Philip Rizk’s Four Days in Detention  · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

A day after publishing “Egypt: More activists and bloggers arrested” on Global Voices Online, news of  Philip Rizk's detention spread like wildfire around the world – and the blogger and activist was finally released.
Arabawy reported his release on Jaiku saying:
Later on, Rizk wrote his thoughts on the four days he spent behind bars on his new blog, after his old blog was closed by state security:
Today is the fourth day of freedom after my four day imprisonment. Every once in a while I am hit by the incomprehensible contrast between absolute freedom and absolute confinement. During those four long days I didn’t do much else but be interrogated, sleep or try to sleep.
Before I go into any other details I want to say shukran, thank you, really. I am overwhelmed by the response of family, friends and strangers all around the world during my imprisonment. As the stories started bombarding me after my release it was hard to take it all in. I have no words to express how grateful I am to so many. At one point one of my interrogators- they called him “Malek”- ended a session by saying, “the next time you will tell me about all these international relationships of yours,” I had no idea what he was referring to. I really believe that the pressure from so many places and people made a big difference in my quick release.
He also didn’t forget to mention Diaa, the other blogger who has been detained, and not released yet:
Diaa Gad is an Egyptian blogger who was taken the very same day I was. I had spoken to him for the first time a few days before Egyptian “state” security kidnapped both of us from difference places. Diaa had called to ask about details about our march to Gaza. As we knew our phones would be tapped I told him we could not gave any details over the phone and asked for us to meet the following day in person. He never called again but his name came up during interrogation- again with “Malek”- who asked me what I knew about Diaa and then proceeded to tell me word for word what I had said to him on the phone that day. Diaa does not have many of the luxuries that I have being bi-national and having lived abroad. At this point he is still in custody and his lawyer and family do not know his whereabouts. The campaign that was started for me needs to move to him and others. These sorts of actions are completely illegal and yet a common occurrence in Egypt. Currently there are thousands in Egyptian jails without trial. We need to stand up and reject these actions.
Zeinobia also comments on Diaa’s ongoing detention:
Diaa Eddin Gad is an Egyptian blogger from Gharbia in Delta. His blog “Sawt Ghadib” { an angry voice} expresses his views regarding Gaza,he refuses the attack on Gaza and supports the resistance , so what !!?? I can’t find a good reason for his detention. Why was he arrested ??
Now Philip is released but Diaa is still in detention.
Diaa is 100% Egyptian with no foreign passport and so he has no one to help him except God and us.
I hope that the Egyptian bloggers stand with Diaa in the same way like they stood with Philip,Diaa must return home again insh Allah.
In the meanwhile, you can follow the Prisoners for Gaza blog. It is a blog that is dedicated to keep an eye on news regarding Egyptians arrested or jailed due to their solidarity with Gaza.