Press Release
The “Committee for Justice” (CFJ) has documented the ongoing arbitrary pretrial detention of several human rights defenders in Egypt, in clear violation of Egyptian pretrial detention laws and the international conventions that Egypt has signed and is obligated to uphold.
Extended pretrial detention periods:
Among those affected is human rights lawyer Saeed Khalaf, whose detention was renewed on September 22, 2024, marking his fourth year in pretrial detention related to case No. 238/2021 under the jurisdiction of the State Security Court.
Similarly, the “Freedom of Thought and Expression” Foundation has submitted a request to the Egyptian Attorney General, demanding the release of translator Marwa Arafa, who has been held in pretrial detention since April 2020 in connection with case No. 570/2020 under the State Security Court. Her legal pretrial detention period has already expired, necessitating her immediate release.
In a related context, the Third Terrorism Circuit of the Criminal Court, during its session held at Badr Prison, decided to renew the detention of 17 defendants involved in various cases for 45 more days. Among them is lawyer Ibrahim Metwally, who specializes in enforced disappearance cases and has also surpassed the legal maximum for pretrial detention, as well as lawyer Hoda Abdel Moneim, who was recharged in a new case after completing a previous sentence in fabricated human rights-related cases.
The court also renewed the pretrial detention of journalist Mostafa El-Khatib for 45 days, who has now spent more than five years in pretrial detention in connection with case No. 488/2019. Despite the defense’s arguments that his detention should be voided due to exceeding the legal limit, the court decided to extend his detention.
Journalist’s detention renewed without his presence:
Additionally, the Third Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court, meeting at the Badr City Rehabilitation and Reform Center, renewed the detention of “Shababik” news site journalist Medhat Ramadan for 45 days in connection with case No. 680/2020 under the State Security Court. He faces charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news and statements. The session was held via video conference, and the journalist, along with all other detainees held in Badr 1 prison, was not physically present.
Rejection of these measures and calls for legal compliance:
In conclusion, CFJ strongly condemned the continued arbitrary measures against human rights defenders and called for their immediate, unconditional release. CFJ urged the Egyptian authorities to stop using pretrial detention as a weapon to silence human rights defenders and to respect the rights of individuals in accordance with Egyptian law, the constitution, and international agreements.
It is worth noting that Article 143 of the Egyptian Code of Criminal Procedure sets the maximum pretrial detention period at 18 months for felony cases, making these extended detentions clear violations of the law.
