In a stark reminder of the Egyptian regime’s intolerance towards dissent, the Cairo Criminal Court has extended the detention of Dr Hani Suleiman, a distinguished physician and lecturer, for another 45 days. Accused in case number 508 of 2023, Dr Suleiman faces charges of joining and funding a terrorist group, alongside spreading false information.
Dr Suleiman’s tragedy began with his outspoken posts on Facebook, where he questioned the lavish expenditures of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s family. His comparisons between the president’s family’s spending and that of a typical Egyptian middle-class family, along with his criticism of Sisi and scepticism about his intent to relinquish power, triggered the state’s ire.
During his latest court appearance, Dr Suleiman’s plea highlighted a grave personal plight: near-total blindness from untreated cataracts. Despite numerous requests and complaints, prison authorities have refused the necessary surgery. His defence team has formally complained against the prison administration, noting that the public prosecutor had approved the surgery, yet prison officials have failed to act.
Dr Suleiman’s legal team stressed that his Facebook posts were expressions of personal opinion, not false news, and highlighted that Egyptian law ostensibly protects freedom of speech. The extension of his detention underscores a broader campaign to stifle dissent and silence critical voices within Egypt.
This case throws into sharp relief the dangers faced by Egyptians who dare to express their views and share information. The harsh measures to quash criticism are deeply troubling, calling for urgent international attention and intervention. Human rights organisations and the global community must focus on these abuses, advocating for the protection of journalists, lawyers, and activists in Egypt.
Dr Suleiman’s ongoing detention reflects the wider attack on freedom of expression by the current regime. His legal struggle serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for human rights and the importance of protecting free speech in Egypt.
