AFTE’s Newsletter: January 2023

Date : Thursday, 2 February, 2023

In January, the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) monitored the state and problems of freedom of thought and expression in Egypt. Through its various units’ activities, AFTE issued a report and undersigned a joint statement with other human rights organizations. these activities aimed to take a deeper look at some of the issues of freedom of thought and expression currently raised, and provided legal aid in cases related to freedom of thoughts and expression.

1. Publications

“Prison without end” A report on the violations faced by academics released in political cases is based on testimonies of Egyptian academics and researchers who study abroad and were imprisoned and released, and the multiple violations after their release.

2. Joint Statements

The Egyptian Taskforce for Human Rights, which includes several independent Egyptian human rights organizations, some of which are based in Egypt while others are based abroad, has submitted a report titled Crisis by design to the UN regarding a systematic and deliberate strategy that undermines human rights in Egypt during the past three years.

3. Legal Aid

– Administrative Judiciary Court sets appeal against dismissing student Omar Ali from Thebes Higher Institute of Engineering for adjudication on January 23
– Criminal Court renews the detention of translator Marwa Arafa for 45 days; Despite exceeding the maximum period of pretrial detention
– Criminal Court renews Mohamed Mamdouh Abdel Halim’s detention for 45 days pending his second case
– Ahmed Badawy Abdel Magid released on the guarantee of his place of residence
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Mohamed Mahmoud Abou Mandour for 15 days; because of Facebook posts
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of visual artist Amir Abdel Ghani for 15 days for “spreading false news”
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Momtaz Ahmed Lotfy’s detention for 15 days; for posting video about Gamasa Prison fire
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews activist Sherif El-Rouby’s detention for 15 days in new case 3 months after his release
– Mohamed Ragab Abdel Maged and the two brothers Asharaf and Ahmed Ashry released
– Criminal Court renews the detention of Mohamed Mahfouz Abdul Latif for 45 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of worker Mohamed Raafat Nasr for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of human rights lawyer Ahmed Nazeer El-Helw for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Ahmed Oraby’s detention for 15 days – Moaaz Rizk released on 5000 Egyptian Pounds bail
– The Prosecution appeals the decision to release master’s student Moaaz Rizk
– The Prosecution’s appeal against Moaaz Rizk’s release accepted; his detention order for 15 days upheld
– Criminal Court renews Socialist Popular Alliance Party member Wessam Salah’s detention for 45 days
– Criminal Court upholds sentence against Badr Mohammed to 5 years in prison
– Visual artist Amir Abdel Ghani released under guarantee of his place of residence – Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of human rights lawyer Ahmed Nazeer El-Helw for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews Mohamed Abdel Aal’s detention for 15 days – Alexandrian activist Hassan Mostafa released under guarantee of his residence
– Court of Cassation to adjudicate Moka Hegazy’s appeal against two-year prison sentence on February 11
– Supreme State Security Prosecution detains content creators Mohamed Hossam El-Din “Bessa” and Basma Hegazy “Warda” for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Agricultural engineer Ashraf Ali Elgamal for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews the detention of Bread and Freedom Party member Ziad Abo El-Fadl and two other defendants for 15 days
– Supreme State Security Prosecution renews doctor Hamed Sedeek’s detention for 15 days pending a new case
– Administrative Court annuls decision to refrain from appointing Hagar Ismael at Cairo University for security grounds

Latest Update

AFTE’s Weekly Legal Bulletin (4: 11 June 2023) | The detention of 4 defendants, including Zamalek Football Club fan Agogo Amar and Ahmed Oraby renewed, and AFTE submitted a report to the attorney general regarding academic Ahmed AlTomahy’s hunger strike

Life in danger: Moaz Al-Sharqawy has been forcibly disappeared for 22 days; deep concerns about his safety

AFTE’s Weekly Legal Bulletin (21: 28 May 2023)| The detention of 12 defendants, including TV presenter Hala Fahmy and Marwa Arafa renewed

Criminal Court renews the detention of lawyer Saied Hassan Ali for 45 days

AFTE’s Weekly Legal Bulletin (14: 21 May 2023) The detention of four defendants was renewed, including Chocalata and Warda; and activist Wessam Salah was released