Amnesty International urges the immediate release of dozens of individuals detained in Egypt for supporting calls to end President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s rule. With at least 59 arrests made since late December 2024, the crackdown reflects heightened governmental repression ahead of politically sensitive anniversaries. The organization emphasizes that rather than intensifying arrests, authorities should address the root causes of public dissatisfaction linked to economic hardships.
Egyptian authorities must urgently release dozens of individuals who have been detained and facing prosecution on charges related to terrorism, solely for expressing support online for the cessation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s regime, according to Amnesty International. This crackdown has intensified as the anniversary of the January 25, 2011 revolution approaches, a period when governmental repression typically escalates to deter peaceful demonstrations.
Since late December 2024, security forces have arrested at least 59 individuals, including four women, for engaging with content from the Facebook page “Revolution of the Joints” or participating in a related Telegram channel. These platforms openly criticize President al-Sisi’s administration and call for political reform. Detainees were only presented to prosecutors between February 8 and 12 following weeks of enforced disappearance, during which some were subjected to physical abuse.
Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt Researcher at Amnesty International, emphasized that the Egyptian government should avoid its routine of mass arrests during this politically sensitive period and instead investigate the underlying sources of public dissatisfaction, notably the economic struggles citizens face. He remarked on the government’s audacity to imprison individuals merely for voicing complaints about its failure to uphold citizens’ economic rights amidst worsening living conditions.
Amnesty International tracked the arbitrary arrests of seven men between December 23, 2024, and January 16, 2025, due to their social media posts. Security forces apprehended five of them at their residences and two on the street across different governorates, including Mansoura, Suez, Cairo, and Alexandria. Following their detentions, these individuals were taken to National Security Agency (NSA) facilities where they were held incommunicado for four to six weeks before being brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
During their time at the NSA facilities, two detainees experienced enforced disappearances lasting 28 and 41 days, raising concerns as their families sought information regarding their fates. The authorities consistently denied knowledge of the detainees’ whereabouts. During interrogations, men were questioned about their social interactions, political beliefs, and motivations behind their calls for governmental change, attributing their actions largely to the ongoing economic crisis.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution has leveled serious charges against these individuals, including allegations of belonging to a terrorist organization and inciting violence. Investigations led to an order for 15 days of pretrial detention pending further inquiries. Notably, detainees reported being interrogated under conditions devoid of legal representation, and several claimed to have faced physical and verbal mistreatment during questioning.
Mahmoud Shalaby voiced concerns regarding systemic issues within the Egyptian judicial system, noting that gross violations persist due to complicity among prosecutors in neglecting to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances or torture by security forces. There is significant historical context to these events, as this represents the second instance in six months where individuals have been arbitrarily detained for advocating political change online. Previous detentions included 119 individuals in connection with a “Dignity Revolution” movement in July 2024, which was sparked by rising prices and power cuts.
In conclusion, the urgent call from Amnesty International highlights the need for Egyptian authorities to halt the practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals for expressing dissent online. The ongoing pattern of repression surrounding politically sensitive anniversaries underscores the crucial link between public dissatisfaction and governmental accountability, particularly regarding economic hardships faced by citizens. There is an urgent need for protection of individuals’ rights to free expression without the threat of unwarranted arrest.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
