Press release
Geneva – June 25, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has monitored the deaths of two pre-trial detainees in Kafr El-Dawwar Police Station in Beheira Governorate, citing torture and inhumane detention conditions as the cause.
CFJ noted that Ahmed Baara, a 31-year-old detainee, died on Monday, June 17, as a result of severe torture by security personnel at Kafr El-Dawwar Police Station. The torture was allegedly ordered by the station’s chief investigator, Major Ahmed Abdel Aal, with the knowledge of the station chief, Major Farhat Metwally.
Baara, who was held on charges related to financial disputes, was reportedly beaten with batons and sticks following an altercation with detectives. He lost consciousness and was transferred to Kafr El-Dawwar General Hospital, then to the morgue. His family received his body, which showed signs of torture, head injuries, and a skull fracture that caused bone fragments to enter his brain. This was confirmed by an autopsy.
The second detainee, Mohamed Morsi, died a few days later due to severe overcrowding, lack of safety, inadequate medical care, and high temperatures in the detention rooms.
CFJ condemned these violations and called for thorough investigations into the incidents, holding those responsible accountable to prevent impunity.
These deaths bring the total number of fatalities recorded by the committee in Egyptian prisons and detention facilities in 2024 to 25.
Accurate information about death cases during detention in Egypt can be obtained through the Justice Watch Archive service provided by CFJ, which contains information about more than 14,000 victims and over 30,000 violations. It also monitors violations inside more than 500 places of detention in Egypt.
