CFJ issues weekly bulletin on updates of major human rights cases for the period from January 4 to 9, 2025 

As part of its continuous monitoring of the legal developments related to key human rights cases in Egypt, the Committee for Justice (CFJ) has released its weekly bulletin summarizing updates on major cases. The bulletin, published via its political case agenda, was designed to facilitate access to information on the dates of hearings and the latest developments in human rights cases in a simplified format. The updates for the period from January 4 to 9, 2025, are as follows:

1. Case Name: Rabaa Sit-In Dispersal

• Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, postponed the retrial of four defendants who had previously been sentenced in absentia to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment in Case No. 34150 of 2015, First Nasr City Felonies, known in the media as the “Rabaa Sit-In Dispersal.” The retrial was postponed to March 1 for defense arguments. The defendants undergoing retrial are Hamid Sayed Ahmed El-Morsi and Mohamed Anis.

2. Case Name: Al-Badrasheen Violence

• Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, reserved the retrial of Mahmoud Mostafa Taleb Abu Hishima, in the case known in the media as the “Al-Badrasheen Violence,” for judgment on April 19. Notably, the defendant had been sentenced in absentia for charges related to membership in a terrorist group.

3. Case Name: Nour Al-Din Zinki Organization

• Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, postponed the trial of three defendants in Case No. 387 of 2024, State Security Felonies, known in the media as the “Nour Al-Din Zinki Organization,” affiliated with Al-Nusra Front, to April 19 for defense arguments.

4. Case Name: Hesham Ashmawy Cell

• Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Terrorism Circuit of the Emergency State Security Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, postponed the retrial of Ibrahim Obeid Abdel Wanis, the seventh defendant in the case known in the media as the “Hesham Ashmawy Cell.” Registered under several case numbers, the retrial was deferred to February 16 for review and preparation of defense arguments. The defendant had previously been sentenced in absentia to seven years of rigorous imprisonment on charges including membership in and financing a terrorist group, conspiracy, and possession of weapons and ammunition.

5. Case Name: Targeting Gold Shops and Churches Cell

• Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, postponed the trial of 11 defendants accused of targeting gold shops and churches to February 17 for further questioning of the defendants.

6. Case Name: Lone Wolves Cell

• Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, postponed the trial of defendant Islam Samir Mohamed Bakkar in Case No. 382 of 2024, State Security Felonies, registered under other related numbers, and known in the media as the “Lone Wolves Cell,” to February 16 for the review of seized materials. The defendant remains in custody.

7. Case Name: Hazemoun Terrorist Group – Al-Marg Cell

• Date: Monday, January 6, 2025
• Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
• Details:
  The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Said El-Sherbiny, postponed the retrial of three defendants accused of membership in the “Hazemoun” group to January 20. The postponement aims to allow the attendance of the defendants from custody and the review of records regarding weapons and ammunition from the Central Security Forces, Al-Marg Sector, on November 13, 2014. The defendants remain in custody.