MOI denies raiding home of NCHR member accused of working with foreigners

The Interior Ministry has denied allegations that security forces raided the home of Manal Tibe, a member of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR).

In its statement, the ministry said that it respects and cherishes the work of human rights institutions and their members, the state-owned news site Ahram Gate reported on Thursday evening.

Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim has ordered the formation of a team to investigate the allegations, according to Ahram.

Earlier on Thursday, reports circulated that police forces raided Tibe’s home after a lawsuit was filed accusing her of cooperating with foreign organizations.

Tibe, who is also a Nubian activist, told the privately owned Masrawy news site that police forces used extreme force against her and her son as they combed her house for any paperwork written in English. When they found no incriminating evidence, the leading officer then apologized to her, Tibe alleged.

In a statement posted to her official Facebook page, Tibe said that during the raid the police prevented her or her son from using their mobile phones.

“The police commander told me, do not open your mouth again on any issue happening in the country; it is better to just take care of your son, madam,” Tibe claimed in the statement.

The NCHR condemned the raid in a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, decrying the act as a “flagrant violation of her freedoms and personal rights.”

“It was also terrifying for both Tibe and her son, both living alone. Inspection efforts did not lead to anything and police forces apologized to her, which raises questions as to who gave the orders,” the statement added.

The council requested an official comment on why the raid was conducted.

A leading security official will meet with Tibe to hear her testimony of the incident, she told Masrawy, and officials will decide whether to pursue investigations depending on the outcome of the meeting.

Last September, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi amended Article 78 of the Penal Code to stiffen the penalties for unlawfully accepting foreign funds. The amendment stipulates that the receipt of money, arms or equipment from a foreign country, or from a foreign or local private organization, with the aim of pursuing acts harmful to national interests, destabilizing the peace, or destabilizing the country’s independence and unity shall be penalized by life in prison and a minimum fine of LE500,000.

If a civil servant faces these charges, the judge may also choose to levy the death sentence.