{"id":37429,"date":"2024-05-29T12:59:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T09:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/?p=37429"},"modified":"2024-05-29T12:59:18","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T09:59:18","slug":"tantawi-arrested-in-court-to-serve-a-prison-sentence-for-challenging-president-sisi-in-2023-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afteegypt.org\/en\/advocacy-en\/2024\/05\/29\/37429-afteegypt.html","title":{"rendered":"Tantawi Arrested in Court to Serve a Prison Sentence for Challenging President Sisi in 2023 Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 27 May, an Egyptian Court of Appeals upheld a February 2024 sentence issued
\nby the Matareya Misdemeanors Court against Ahmed al-Tantawi and 22 of his
\nsupporters to one year in prison. The Court of Appeals verdict also upholds a five-
\nyear ban on Tantawi from running in elections. Tantawi was arrested in court to
\nserve the sentence.
\nAs Egypt faces gross mismanagement of its economy and the authorities\u2019 inability to
\nfulfill basic functions such provision of health services or a steady supply of
\nelectricity, Egyptian authorities regularly ensure that no political alternative can
\norganize, develop, and present a challenge to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi\u2019s rule.
\nThe decision to uphold the sentence further confirms the warnings repeatedly voiced
\nby our organizations that Egyptian authorities\u2019 promises of political reform are
\ninsincere and only seek to placate criticism of their human rights record. Political
\nactivity remains effectively outlawed.
\nIn February 2024, under Case no. 16336, Tantawi and his campaign manager
\nMohamed Abo al-Diyar were convicted of inciting others to influence the conduct of
\nthe electoral process through the provision, printing, and circulation of electoral
\nprocess papers without the permission of competent authorities. The 21 other
\nmembers of Tantawi\u2019s campaign were convicted of printing and circulating electoral
\npapers without permission.
\nThe case was opened in reaction to Tantawi\u2019s call in October 2023 for his supporters
\nto fill out popular endorsement forms for his presidential bid, given the restrictions
\nthey faced in registering their endorsements at public notary offices, thereby illegally
\nbarring him from running. In a violation of the right of Tantawi and members of his
\ncampaign to a fair trial, authorities did not allow their lawyers to obtain the official
\ncase files.
\nOver the course of his presidential campaign and the months that followed, over 194
\nTantawi supporters and members of his campaign were detained by Egyptian
\nauthorities, and some faced unfounded terrorism charges.
\nThe court\u2019s decision confirms that any independent attempt to challenge President
\nSisi\u2019s hold on power will be met with decisive retaliation. Tantawi joins a list of other
\nformer presidential candidates who were imprisoned or put under house arrest for
\nchallenging Sisi in the 2018 elections.<\/p>\n

Signatory Organizations<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n