27 June 2021
The defense counsel of researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy” filed a report to the attorney general today, on his hunger strike for the fifth consecutive day, since the announcement of the sentence against him, which is four years imprisonment and a fine of 500 EGP in Case No. 774 of 2021 State Security Misdemeanors (the First Settlement), as an objection on the sentence, the report bearing No. 80603 of 2021 attorney general electronic petitions.
The defense counsel also requested opening an investigation on Santawy’s hunger strike, and hospitalizing him in the prison hospital to monitor his health condition periodically
It’s noteworthy that Ahmed Samir Santawy’s family appealed to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to intervene and cancel his prison sentence in order to preserve his future, Human rights organizations also called on the President not to ratify the sentence against him in preparation for its annulment in their statement issued on Wednesday, June 23.
22 June 2021
State Security Emergency Misdemeanour Court, held at New Cairo Court in the Fifth Settlement, today June 22, 2021, sentenced “Ahmed Samir Santawy” to four years in prison and a fine of 500 pounds in Case No. 774 of 2021 Emergency State Security Misdemeanors, registered under No. 877 of 2021 supreme State Security Prosecution, It is worth noting that this court’s ruling cannot be appealed according to the emergency law.
“Santawy” is charged with spreading false news and statements abroad about the domestic situation of Egypt.
It is worth noting that “Santawy” is still detained pending another case, No. 65 of 2021 Supreme State Security.
8 June 2021
State Security Emergency Misdemeanour Court (The First Settlement), had decided at today’s session, June 8, 2021, held at new Cairo court, to set the date for adjudication of Case No. 774 of 2021 State Security (Emergency) Misdemeanour, registered under No. 877 of 2021 supreme state security prosecution, attributed to researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy” in which he’s charged with spreading false news from abroad about the domestic situation in Egypt that could disturb security and public order, joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its aims, to June 22 session.
It should be noted that, at today’s session, the legal defense team asked to include the defendant’s investigation files of case No. 65 of 2021, in which he was investigated in February, before he was recycled in the mentioned above case, as the merits of the current trial are relevant to the merits of the aforementioned case.
The court asked the defense team to plead regarding the lawsuit, and the defense team presented their following plea:
First: Invalidity of and illegality of the evidence derived from the report issued by the General Department of Criminal Evidence, given that what was stated in it regarding the defendant cannot, in any case, be considered a technical examination, owing to the fact that it was proven that the report editor did not see the account attributed to the defendant, and it wasn’t subjected to examination, and it was limited to expressing his opinion in the photocopies sent by the Public Prosecution and submitted by the reporter.
Second: Invalidity of the evidence derived from the national security investigations for its contradiction of reality and truth, and its editor did not follow the correct legal methods and investigations that can be relied upon in the criminal trial.
Third: discrepancy between the reporter’s statements, the investigations’ path, and the report of the General Department of Criminal Evidences.
Fourth: Plea by the absence of the elements of the offenses crimes by the text of Articles 80 and 102 bis of the Egyptian penal law.
The defense team requested the defendant’s acquittal from the charges attributed to him, as the State Security Emergency Misdemeanour Court is an emergency exceptional court in which its sentences cannot be appealed, and these charges may lead to imprison “Santawy” for up to 5 years.
1 June 2021
Supreme state security court held at the new Cairo court in the Fifth Settlement, decided to postpone the first session of the trial of researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy pending case No. 877 of 2021, in which he was investigated on May 22, to June 8 session.
the First Trial Session was supposed to take place today, the court gave permission to his lawyers to view and obtain official copies of the case files, while the researcher continued to be imprisoned.
It is worth noting that Santawy is still detained pending another case, No. 65 of 2021, Supreme State Security.
29 May 2020
The supreme state security prosecution had referred researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy, to a speedy trial before supreme state security court, on charges of spreading false news from abroad about the domestic situation in Egypt, pending case No. 774 of 2021, supreme State Security, the first trial session will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at the new Cairo court in the Fifth Settlement.
It should be noted that, the referral to the court decision is regarding the second case in which Santawy is accused, under number 877 of 2021, supreme state security prosecution, which was investigated last week.
Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE), Amnesty International, The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP), Scholars at Risk (SAR), Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, issued a statement yesterday, denouncing the rotation of researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy in a new case, calling on the Egyptian authorities to release him immediately.
22 May 2021
And during the investigations of the new case, the supreme state security prosecution faced the researcher Ahmed Samir with technical reports that mention a social media “Facebook” account attributed to his ownership, and he denied his ownership of that account.
His defense also requested a forensic medical examination to prove and investigate the incident of assaulting him yesterday by the deputy warden of Tora Liman Prison.
And last week, His defense submitted a request, to the supreme state security prosecution demanding his release, so that he could continue his studies at the Central European University (CEU) in Austria; however, they have not received a response to this request until today.
19 May 2021
The defense committee of researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy, submitted a request last week, to the supreme state security prosecution demanding his release, so that he could continue his studies at the Central European University (CEU) in Austria, however, they have not received a response to this request until today, and AFTE renews its call to attorney general Hamada El-Sawy to issue a decision to release Ahmed Samir Santawy as soon as possible.
Notably that “Santawy” was subjected to enforced disappearance, before he was found in 5th settlement police station, and was held imprisoned by the national security forces, due to a decision that was issued by the supreme state security prosecution.
9 May 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution, had decided today May 9, 2021, to renew the detention of the researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 65 of 2021 Supreme State Security, in which he is facing accusations of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, promoting false news that breaches security and public order, and misusing social media “Facebook” for that purpose.
Notably that Santawy was subjected to enforced disappearance, before he was found in the 5th settlement police station, and was held imprisoned by the national security forces, due to a decision that was issued by the supreme state security prosecution.
24 April 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution, decided on Saturday 24 April 2021, to renew the detention of the researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy”, for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 65 of 2021 Supreme State Security, in which he is facing accusations of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, promoting false news that breaches security and public order, and misusing social media “Facebook” for that purpose.
Notably that “Santawy” was subjected to enforced disappearance, before he was found in the 5th settlement police station, and was held imprisoned by the national security forces, due to a decision that was issued by the supreme state security prosecution.
12 April 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution, decided on Monday 12 April 2021, to renew the detention of the researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy”, for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 65 of 2021 Supreme State Security, in which he is facing accusations of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, promoting false news that breaches security and public order, and misusing social media “Facebook” for that purpose.
Notably that “Santawy” was subjected to enforced disappearance, before he was found in 5th settlement police station, and was held imprisoned by the national security forces, due to a decision that was issued by the supreme state security prosecution.
29 March 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution, decided on Monday 29 March 2021, to renew the detention of the researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy”, for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 65 of 2021 Supreme State Security, in which he is facing accusations of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, promoting false news that breaches security and public order, and misusing social media “Facebook” for that purpose.
Notably that “Santawy” was subjected to enforced disappearance, before he was found in 5th settlement police station, and was held imprisoned by the national security forces, due to a decision that was issued by the supreme state security prosecution.
It should be mentioned that AFTE has issues a statement urging the authorities to release Santawy, and to stop violating academic freedom, entitled ”Egypt: Release researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy and stop violating academic freedom
16 March 2020
The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of the researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy”, for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 65 of 2021 Supreme State Security.
Ahmed had been detained in the 5th Settlement police station on February 1, after he was summoned by the National Security, and remained detained, due to a permission issued by the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
The researcher is facing charges of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, promoting false news that breaches security and public order, and misusing social media “Facebook” for that purpose.
It’s worth noting that “Santawy” complained about being held in solitary confinement since his entry into Liman Tora Prison, and was prevented from entering any equipment for him, neither purchasing from the prison canteen, despite the fact that his family deposited money in the prison canteen.
AFTE calls upon the Public Prosecutor and counselor, “Hamada El-Sawy”, to issue a decision to release the researcher “Ahmed Samir” so he can continue his studies at the Central European University (CEU) in Austria.
2 March 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy, today, for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 65 of 2021Super State Security.
Santawy was accused of “joining a terrorist group with prior knowledge of its objectives, broadcasting false news aimed at disrupting security and public order, and using an account on Facebook for the purpose of spreading false news.”
It is noteworthy that Santawy complained that he was placed in incommunicado since his entry into Liman Tora Prison, and there is no equipment was entered for him, or that he was allowed to purchase from the prison canteen, despite his family depositing money in the prison canteens.
AFTE calls on the Ministry of Interior to enable Santawy’s family to visit him, to allow him to enter his clothes and personal necessities, and to enable him to use the prison canteen. AFTE also renews its request to the Public Prosecution to release Santawy so that he can complete his studies.
23 February 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution completed the investigation with Ahmed Samir and charged him with financing a terrorist group, without clarifying what this group is and what Santawy’s relationship with it is.
Ahmed Samir Santawy complained that he was placed in incommunicado since his entry into Liman Tora Prison, and there is no equipment was entered for him, or that he was allowed to purchase from the prison canteen, despite his family depositing money in the prison canteens.
AFTE calls on the Ministry of Interior to enable Santawy’s family to visit him, to allow him to enter his clothes and personal necessities, and to enable him to use the prison canteen. AFTE also renews its request to the Public Prosecution to release Santawy so that he can complete his studies.
17 February 2021
The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy, today, for 15 days, in a paper procedure, and without the presence of Santawy from his detention in Liman Tora Prison.
It is noteworthy that since March 2020, the Supreme State Security Prosecution has been renewing the detention of the defendants without their presence from their detention places or enabling them to contact their lawyers.
ِAFTE calls upon the Public Prosecutor, Hamada El-Sawy, to issue a decision to release the researcher Ahmed Samir so that he can continue his studies at the Central European University (CEU) in Austria.
6 February 2021
The Super State Security Prosecution has completed the investigation with the researcher “Ahmed Samir” in Case No. 65 of 2021, and decided to detain him precautionary detention for 15 days pending investigations. Santawy is facing the charges of “joining a terrorist group with prior knowledge of its objectives, broadcasting false news aimed at disrupting security and public order, and using an account on Facebook for the purpose of spreading false news.”
The researcher “Ahmed Samir” had been detained in the Fifth Settlement Police station on February 1, after he was summoned by the National Security, and he remained detained, with a permission issued by the Supreme State Security Prosecution, until his presence before the prosecution today.
The prosecution confronted researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy with some screenshots of posts on Facebook, and Santawy denied his connection to these posts and the account attributed to him.
Santawy’s defense requested an investigation into the ill-treatment of the researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy during his detention, and the defense team requested that he be referred to the forensic medicine office to prove the violations he had suffered.
It is noteworthy that the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression issued a press statement calling on the Ministry of Interior to disclose the place of detention of the researcher Ahmed Samir and to release him immediately, and AFTE renews its request for his release, and to close the investigations with him, due to its reliance on non-serious evidence.
