Press release
Geneva – August 1, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has condemned the arrest of activist Yehia Hussein Abdel Hadi by Egyptian security forces in civilian clothing. Abdel Hadi was apprehended while in a car with a friend on Salah Salem Street in Cairo and taken to an undisclosed location due to an article he published titled “How Long Will the Army Stay Silent?”.
According to Egyptian human rights lawyer Khaled Ali, Abdel Hadi was in the car with Dr. Abdel-Galil Mustafa on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, heading to a seminar for the (under establishment) Hope Coalition Party. While stopped in traffic on Salah Salem Street, several individuals in civilian clothes forcibly removed and abducted him without revealing their identities.
Ali added that he was informed of Abdel Hadi’s appearance before the Supreme State Security Prosecution the following day for the start of investigations. Ali was requested to defend him. The prosecution ordered Abdel Hadi’s detention for 15 days pending investigations in case number 3916 of 2024, on charges of joining a terrorist group, misuse of social media, spreading false news, committing a crime of financing terrorism, and inciting the commission of a terrorist act.
Ali noted that Abdel Hadi experienced angina symptoms during his arrest and has since been transferred to the Tenth of Ramadan Prison 4. The prosecution has allowed him access to his medication.
CFJ condemns the arrest of Abdel Hadi for his opinions and demands his immediate, unconditional release. CFJ holds the Egyptian authorities responsible for any deterioration in his health, as he suffers from several conditions that could worsen under inhumane detention conditions.
