July 23, 2024
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression condemns the enforced disappearance of cartoonist Ashraf Omar since the early hours of Monday, July 22, and demands that the Ministry of Interior release him immediately and allow his family and lawyer to communicate with him. AFTE holds the Ministry of Interior fully responsible for the safety of Ashraf Omar amidst repeated incidents of arbitrary detention and security pursuit of journalists.
Ashraf Omar works as a Cartoonist at the platform “Al-Manassa,” which published details of the arrest. According to the report, a security force raided his home in the October Gardens at 1:30 AM on July 22 and took him to an unknown location. Surveillance cameras showed a group of individuals in two microbuses entering the building, and about 40 minutes later, they were seen leaving with Omar, who was blindfolded. His family has been unable to ascertain his whereabouts or communicate with him since then.
“Al-Manassa,” where Omar works, sent a letter to the Journalists’ Syndicate, urging them to intervene to ensure his safety, locate him, provide legal representation, and prevent the authorities from targeting journalists and acting outside the law. The Journalists’ Syndicate has announced that it has contacted various entities to secure Omar’s release.
Ashraf Omar recently published several satirical drawings on “Al-Manassa,” addressing issues such as the electricity crisis and the operation of the monorail amid scarce resources. He has also worked as a translator for books and articles for several platforms, including “Mada Masr.”
It is noteworthy that this is the second incident within a week following the arrest of journalist Khaled Mamdouh, whom the State Security Prosecution decided to detain for 15 days pending investigation in case number 1282 of 2024. This decision came after six days of his enforced disappearance since his home was raided, and he was arrested last Tuesday. The prosecution charged him with joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, committing one of the crimes of financing a terrorist group and publishing and broadcasting false news and statements that would harm public security and order.
AFTE renews its demand that the Ministry of Interior immediately disclose the location of Ashraf Omar’s detention, allow his family and lawyer to communicate with him, and release him. The Association also emphasizes the need to respect the rights of journalists and cartoonists and protect them from the continuous violations they face in the course of their work.
