AFTE’s Weekly Legal Bulletin (October 3: October 10, 2021)

Date : Monday, 11 October, 2021
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The Detention of ten defendants was renewed; another one was released, and on November 4th, the first hearings of “Haneen Hossam” retrial.

The Legal Bulletin covers the lawsuits in which AFTE provides the necessary legal aid, following AFTE’s framework.

 Criminal Courts

 Sunday, October 3, the Criminal Court (The Second Circuit Criminal Terrorism) renewed the detention of the accountant at the Egyptian Forum for Labor Relations “Alaa Essam,” for 45 days, pending Case No. 930 of 2019 (Supreme State Security), Known in the media as “Hope Coalition Case.” It should be noted that Alaa Essam exceeded the maximum period of pretrial detention, which is two years, which requires his release.

On June 28, 2019, Security forces arrested Alaa Essam from his house in Suez Governorate. He was presented before the Supreme State Security Prosecution with charges of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes and spreading false news and statements.

On the other hand, The Criminal Court renewed the detention of journalist “Amer Abdel-Moneim,” for 45 days, pending Case No. 1017 of 2020 (Supreme State Security), in which he’s charged with joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and using a social media account to commit a crime.

“Abdel-Moneim” suffers from several health conditions, most notable of which is diabetes. He also underwent two eye surgeries less than two months before his arrest. AFTE released a statement to call on the Public Prosecutor to release him and urge the Journalists Syndicate to intervene immediately to receive healthcare.

And pending the same case, on Monday, October 5, The Criminal Court (The Council Chamber) released “Ayman Mahmoud Abdel-Halim” with the guarantee of his place of residence and renewed the detention of translator “Kholoud Saied Amer” for 45 days.

Both defendants were previously rotated in this case after they were released in connection with previous cases with similar charges, most notably spreading false news and joining a terrorist group.

“Ayman Abdel-Halim” was detained in an unknown location for almost a month after the court issued his release order on December 12, 2020, regarding Case No. 12587 of 2018 (Second Montazah Administrative).

And in connection with Case No. 855 of 2020 (Supreme State Security), the Criminal Court renewed the detention of “Mohamed Oxygen” and “Sameh Saudi,” in addition to “Mohamed Salah,” “Ahmed Yousry Ghaly,” and “Mohamed Mamdouh Abdel Halim” for 45 days.

Worth mentioning, the Criminal Court had previously decided to release ”Abdel Halim” in addition to “Salah,” “Oxygen,” and “Saudi;” however, the court executed none of the release orders, and they were all rotated in connection with the current case.

In another context, on Wednesday, October 6, the Criminal Court renewed the detention of author and writer “Ayman Abdel Moaty” for 45 days pending Case No. 880 of 2020. Notably, “Abdel Moaty” was previously listed on Case No. 621 of 2018. After two years, his release order was issued but never passed. The Criminal Court also renewed the detention of lawyer “Amr Nohan” for 45 days pending Case No. 741 of 2019 (Supreme State Security Prosecution). Nohan should be released for exceeding two years in detention, which is the maximum period.

And regarding TikTok trials, the South Cairo Criminal Court (Fifth Circuit) shall consider the first session of the retrial of “Haneen Hosam” in Case No. 4917 of 2020, Sahel Felonies, assigned to No. 2106 of 2020, North Cairo, known in the media as “The Human Trafficking Case.”

On June 21, the Criminal Court issued a verdict in absentia to 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 pounds against content creator Haneen Hossam after the public prosecution charged her with human trafficking and commercial exploitation of children.

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression and Ahmed Ragheb for Law and Legal Consultations filed a memorandum of reasons of appeal against the default judgment against the defendant. To view the memorandum of reasons for the appeal, click here.

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