New post: Syrian blogger is a hoax

A Facebook page was created to raise awareness and support for the supposedly missing blogger.The life of "Amina Abdallah" was chronicled on what was thought to be her blogA new author claims responsibility for all posts"I never expected this level of attention," he writesThe fictional Abdallah became an unlikely icon of the Syrian uprising

(CNN) -- A new post on the "A Gay Girl in Damascus" blog that has been reported to belong to a Syrian-American woman claimed Sunday that her dramatic story is, in fact, a hoax.

In a post titled "Apology to readers," author "Tom MacMaster" said he is the sole person responsible for material on the site. The writer signed off from Istanbul, Turkey.

"I never expected this level of attention," MacMaster wrote. "While the narrative voice may have been fictional, the facts on this blog are true and not misleading as to the situation on the ground."

All previous posts, which began appearing in February, had been attributed either to "Amina Abdallah," the outspoken Syrian-American woman, or her cousin, "Rania Ismail."

Abdallah was reported on the blog to have been abducted last week and her alleged disappearance prompted online campaigns demanding her release.

Her story was picked up by international news groups, including CNN, making her an unlikely icon of the Syrian uprising.

CNN has not been allowed into Syria to cover the unrest and draws from social media and interviews with witnesses on the ground there to inform its reporting.

Despite the title of Sunday's post, MacMaster wrote: "I do not believe that I have harmed anyone -- I feel that I have created an important voice for issues that I feel strongly about."

The claims made on the blog could not be confirmed when CNN reported on Adballah's story last week. Calls to officials in Damascus and at Syria's Embassy in London went unanswered and attempts to contact her family were unsuccessful.

Amnesty International said recently that it believes more than 1,100 people -- including 82 children -- have been killed in Syria since a crackdown began in mid-March. Many bloggers and journalists have been arrested, rights groups have said.

Protesters are challenging President Bashar al-Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for some 41 years.

CNN

Egypt army questions journalists, blogger (AFP)

CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) – Two Egyptian journalists and a blogger were questioned for three hours on Tuesday by military officials over criticism of the army on a live talk show, they said.

Reem Maged and Nabil Sharafeddine, the two reporters, and prominent blogger and activist Hossam al-Hamalawy were questioned by Adel Morsi, who heads the military justice authority.

Maged told reporters that the questioning did not take place in the framework of an investigation but that the army had sought to "clarify" certain statements on her talk show "Baladna mil Masry."

"They told us we were there to offer clarifications," Hamalawy told AFP by telephone, adding that media pressure and online solidarity calls had contributed in matters not going further.

Shortly after news of their summons hit the Internet on Monday, a Facebook page was created calling for a protest outside the military prosecutor's office during their questioning.

On Tuesday, around 100 people had gathered outside the offices chanting for freedom of expression and against military trials for civilians.

"They asked us to provide all information in our possession on violations committed by the military police," Hamalawy said.

During Maged's programme on the OnTV satellite channel on Thursday, Hamalawy accused military police of rights abuses, saying he had proof of violations committed by named officials.

Sharafeddine was questioned over statements he made on the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on the same channel on Friday.

During the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, the army was at first idolised as hero of the revolution for not firing on protesters but has since come under criticism for its handling of the transitional phase and for alleged rights violations.

Yahoo! News

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.