Ashraf Omar is a journalist, cartoonist and translator who recently worked for Al-Manassa website, where he published cartoons mocking the power cut crisis and selling state-owned assets. He also worked for several other independent news websites, including Mada Masr.
In the morning of 22 July 2024, Omar was arrested from his home in the October Gardens area in Giza, where he was alone at home. His wife, Nada Moghith, said the police force that arrested him searched the home and seized his computer and mobile phone, as well as a sum of money.
A surveillance camera close to Omar’s house showed that the police force stayed in the house for about 40 minutes, then went out at 2:12 am with Omar blindfolded. The force included some dressed in plain clothes, some in police uniform, and some were masked. Omar was taken in a microbus to an unknown location where he remained for 60 hours. His wife sent telegraphs to the Minister of Interior and the Public Prosecutor regarding the incident.
Omar appeared before the State Security Prosecution in the Fifth Settlement neighbourhood on 24 July 2024, where the prosecution charged him with joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, spreading rumours and false news, and misusing social media. He was questioned about his upbringing, family, activity, his work as a translator for a number of press institutions, some of the employees in those institutions, his cartoons – some of which were published on news websites – the reason for his work for Al-Manassa website and publishing his cartoons on it, and the purpose of those cartoons, according to his lawyer.
The prosecution faced Omar with the exhibits, which included an iPad, cartoons – some of which were published and some were not – and a sum of 80,000 pounds. The prosecution decided to remand him in custody for 15 days pending investigation into Case No. 1968 of 2024 (Supreme State Security). He was taken to the 10th of Ramadan Prison.
During the session of renewing Omar’s detention, his lawyers asked the prosecution to hear his statements as a victim of torture that he was exposed to during and after his arrest. The lawyers documented the amount of money and personal belongings the police seized from Omar’s house.
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