Egypt: Pressure on Opposition Takes Different Forms

The Egyptian government has recently increased pressure on opposition leaders using a variety of tactics. Over the weekend, pictures of Mohammad ElBaradei’s daughter, Laila, were published in Egyptian newspapers. The pictures, allegedly from her private Facebook page,  show her in a swimsuit and at her wedding, where alcohol was served. ElBaradei reacted by saying, “Such a campaign is the usual and only response of the regime towards whoever demands democracy.” The Egyptian government has also stepped up pressure on journalists, including Hamdy Qandil, a member of ElBaradei’s coalition. Qandil is being charged with libel for “insulting and libeling a public servant or citizen performing their work,” according to a source in the judiciary.