In a new violation of freedom of expression and movement; The Egyptian Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of 177 men from 20 governorates for 15 days pending investigations on their participation in peaceful demonstrations on October 20, 2023, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, following the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The decisions to renew their detention came in connection with 27 separate cases on demonstrations in support of Gaza and the Palestinian cause in 20 cities and governorates.
The detention renewals were issued for the tenth time in a row, without new investigations taking place or any of the demonstrators getting released.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution charged the young men with various charges, including “joining a terrorist group, inciting demonstrations on social media, participating in a gathering of more than 5 people, committing a terrorist act, and intentionally sabotaging public and private property and destroying fixtures and fittings”, all of which are fabricated charges often levelled by Egyptian regime against its opponents.
Meanwhile, the Supreme State Security Prosecution also decided to renew the detention of the former media official in “Tamarud” movement in Kafr El-Sheikh, activist Ahmed Sameh Al-Hafnawi Barakat, for 15 days for filming and posting a video on X showing the killing of Israeli tourists in Alexandria.
Barakat revealed in a previous investigation session that he was subjected to several violations at the headquarters of National Security before being presented to the prosecution, while blindfolding him and handcuffing his hands and feet and interrogating him in this state for long hours, as well as verbally assaulting him, insulting him, and subjecting him to beatings and threats.
He added that after being presented to the State Security Prosecution; violations against him continued in his new detention facility, and he was denied visitations.
The violations committed by the Egyptian authorities breach the rule of law and justice and the right of freedom of expression for citizens, and their right to peaceful demonstrations without being subjected to harassment or arbitrary arrest.
The international community and human rights organisations should put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to adhere to international human rights standards and refrain from using force against peaceful demonstrators and human rights activists, or arresting them.
The Egyptian authorities are detaining thousands of people in politically motivated arrests. Many of whom have been convicted, sentenced in unfair trials, or detained without trial for years on unfounded terrorism-related charges, in extremely poor detention conditions.
