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Image posted, fake images
Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecutor’s Office ordered the imprisonment of the executive director of a prominent human rights organization, as the third official of the same organization whose imprisonment is decided this week.
The prosecutor’s decision was based on investigations of charges that include “spreading false news” and “joining a terrorist group.”
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (a non-governmental organization) stated in a tweet that the investigation with its director, Jasser Abdel Razek, ended at 6 am on Friday morning, and it was decided to imprison him pending investigation of the charges against you.
He added: “The State Security Prosecutor’s Office decided to imprison the director of the Egyptian Initiative for 15 days pending case 855 on charges of joining a terrorist group, spreading false statements that disturb public safety, harming the public interest and using an online account to spread fake news. “
The decision to jail Abdel-Razek, son of the late leftist leader Hussein Abdel-Razek, followed two similar decisions to jail Mohamed Bashir, the initiative’s administrative director, and investigator Karim Anara, who is responsible for his justice file. criminal, in the same case.
The initiative and the human rights community in Egypt link the imprisonment of its leaders and the visit of a delegation of European diplomats to its headquarters on November 3.
The purpose of the visit of the European delegation was to inform ambassadors and diplomats about the human rights situation in Egypt.
Journalist Hussam Bahgat, one of the founders of the initiative, which was established in 2002, announced that he would temporarily administer the initiative until the liberation of its leaders, and called on everyone to stand in solidarity with them.
Image posted, Twitter
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry described the initiative as an “illegal” entity, considering a statement by the French Foreign Ministry that criticizes the arrest of jurists as “interference in a sovereign Egyptian affair.”
The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed “deep concern” over Bashir’s arrest, noting that it had had a “frank and firm dialogue with Egypt on human rights issues.”
American and French concern
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry rejected “France’s interference in Egypt’s internal affairs and its attempt to influence investigations.” He also highlighted in his statement that Egypt respects the rule of law and equality before it.
The US Department of State’s Office for Human Rights expressed concern over the imprisonment of human rights activists affiliated with the initiative, highlighting “the importance of freedom of expression of opinion and human rights work.”
International human rights organizations and political activists joined forces with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, calling for the release of its leaders.
Human rights groups say dozens of activists have been targeted by “arrests”, travel bans and asset freezes under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Egypt denies the reports and says it is committed to implementing the law.
Amnesty International condemned what it called “the chilling escalation” regarding “the repression of civil society in Egypt”, following the arrest of officials from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
Amnesty International said in a statement on Wednesday: “These arrests, which followed a meeting at the headquarters of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights with Western diplomats, constitute a severe blow to the legitimate work of human rights defenders. “.
What is the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights?
It is a non-governmental organization that has been working – in accordance with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights – since its creation in 2002 to promote and protect basic rights and freedoms in Egypt, through activities to support research, defense and litigation in the fields of civil liberties, economic and social rights, and criminal justice.
The initiative is also active in the areas of development, education, family, human rights, labor rights, research and skills development.
