Some wonder whether coziness with powerful people, combined with a jocular streak and a touch of intellectual arrogance, led Ibrahim into trouble, across so-called red lines set by Egypt's security establishment. Before his arrest, he liked to jet around to global conferences and sound off in the Western and Arab press. A friend recalls once recoiling when Mubarak arrived late for a meeting and Ibrahim demanded to know why he had kept them waiting. Whatever the court's verdict, Ibrahim told TIME last week, he has no regrets about pressing for greater freedom in Egypt. Democracy is sweeping the world.
History is on our side.
That's serious talk, reflecting Ibrahim's hope that Egyptians continue moving toward their goal, as best they can. 2001 Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Sign up now for TIME's WorldWatch e-mail newsletter.