Amnesty International issues call for release of Mahmoud Mohamed
Human rights organization Amnesty International issued an urgent action call for the release of 19-year-old Mahmoud Mohamed (who they refer to as Mahmoud Hussein), who has been detained for over 21 months.
Mohamed had his detention extended by another 45 days on October 8.
Amnesty urged people to send letters calling for Hussein’s release to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Prosecutor General Nabil Sadek and the Deputy Minister for Human Rights Mahy Hassan Abdel Latif.
Mohamed was arrested while walking home on the third anniversary of the January 25 revolution for wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo and slogan for the Nation Without Torture campaign and a scarf with a symbol of the 2011 uprising.
The teenager told his family that he was physically assaulted by two police officers in his cell. Amnesty International's statement alleged Mohamed was tortured during his detention and as a result confessed to crimes he did not commit. It also claimed he was beaten on July 14.
Mohamed is currently being detained without charge in Tora Prison.
Amnesty International asked that letters contain clear calls for “Egyptian authorities to release Mahmoud Hussein immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for peacefully exercising his rights to freedom of expression.”
The statement also asked people to demand that the authorities ensure Hussein is not tortured while in detention, and order “a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into his allegations of torture and ensure that anyone responsible is brought to justice in a fair trial without resort to the death penalty.”
There have been many reports of forced disappearances and long detentions without charge in recent months. A campaign working to stop forced disappearances released a report documenting 215 cases in August and September 2015.
Photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, has been detained without charge for over two years, the legal limit for pre-trial detention.
أخبار ذات صلة
Court to rule on appeal against closure of Hadhoud case on June 23, allows family lawyers access to case files for 1st time
The lawyers have repeatedly complained about the prosecution's refusal to keep them informed
Amnesty International report concludes Israel guilty of apartheid against Palestinians
The report also calls on the UN Security Council to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel
UN human development report on Egypt criticized for overlooking human rights concerns
“Our goal was to release the report at any cost and to avoid the fate of the previous one”
8 men convicted by military court in deadly church bombings case executed on Monday
Several defendants told prosecutors that they were subjected to forced disappearances and torture
Your support is the only way to ensure independent, progressive journalism survives.
You have a right to access accurate information, be stimulated by innovative and nuanced reporting, and be moved by compelling storytelling. Subscribe now to become part of the growing community of members who help us maintain our editorial independence.
Join us