Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecution has ordered the detention of 15 young men for 15 days pending investigations, following their enforced disappearance for varying periods, ranging from weeks to months.
The individuals, who had been missing without any official acknowledgment of their whereabouts, were brought before the prosecution and charged with spreading false news and information, joining a terrorist group, and misusing social media platforms. These charges have been widely used by Egyptian authorities in cases involving political dissent.
According to legal representatives and rights groups, the detainees were denied communication with their families and lawyers during their disappearance. Their eventual appearance before the prosecution comes amid ongoing concerns over the use of enforced disappearance as a means of pretrial detention.
After their reappearance, the 15 individuals were interrogated by the Supreme State Security Prosecution and placed in pretrial detention. Rights organizations have raised concerns about the fairness of the legal proceedings, citing the lack of guarantees for a fair trial. Reports indicate that detainees in similar cases have faced pressure during interrogations, with some convictions relying on confessions allegedly extracted under duress.
Enforced disappearance remains a significant concern in Egypt, with individuals taken into custody without official acknowledgment, leaving families unaware of their loved ones’ whereabouts. The practice has drawn international criticism, as it violates the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, to which Egypt is a signatory.
Despite repeated calls from human rights organisations to end the practice, enforced disappearance continues to be documented in Egypt. International bodies and advocacy groups have urged the authorities to adhere to legal obligations, ensure transparency in legal proceedings, and guarantee detainees’ fundamental rights, including access to legal counsel and fair trials.
The Egyptian government has not issued an official statement regarding the latest detentions.
