Criminal Courts
On September 17, The Criminal Court (The Council Chamber) renewed the detention of Hamed Sedeek for 45 extra days in connection with Case No. 1356 of 2019 (Supreme State Security).
Sedeek completed three years in pretrial detention on September 23, which means that there are no legal justifications to remain detained, as the Code of Criminal Procedure sets two years as the maximum period for pretrial detention pending the same case. Sedeek faces charges of joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and misusing social media.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution
On September 19, the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Ahmed Ashry; on the following day, the prosecution renewed the detention of his brother Ashraf Ashry for 15 days each, in connection with case No. 440 of 2022 (Supreme State Security).
The two brothers were arrested from a cafe near their house in Alexandria after their participation in a video on TikTok; they face charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.
On September 20, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to release Gamal Mohamed Salama as part of the presidential pardon initiative under the guarantee of his place of residence in connection with Case No. 440 of 2022.
The Public Prosecution summoned Salama on April 26 after he posted a video on TikTok parodying a sarcastic song about price hikes. The security forces also searched his Facebook and TikTok accounts; Salama admitted that he posted the video for entertainment purposes and that he has no interest in any political events. Salama faced charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.
