Trial of woman human rights defender Sanaa Seif adjourned
On 13 September, Cairo criminal court adjourned the trial of woman human rights defender Sanaa Seif in misdemeanour case 12499/2020. She faces charges of publishing and broadcasting false news and statements inciting the disturbance of public security, insulting a public official while he was carrying out his duties, using an internet account with the aim of committing a crime punishable by law, and verbally insulting one of the personnel in charge of carrying out arrest warrants while doing his job. The court decided to postpone the trial to a hearing on 17 September.
Sanaa Seif was arrested on 23 June 2020 and accused in case 659/2020, however this trial is part of a new case added to her file six weeks after her arrest.
Detention of human rights lawyer Mahienour el Massry renewed
On 13 September, Cairo criminal court renewed the pre-trial detention of human rights lawyer Mahienour el Massry for 45 days in state security case 488/2019 on charges of engaging with a terrorist group to achieve its goals, spreading false news and statements, and misusing social media.
Detention of labour rights advocate Hassan Barbary renewed
On 6 September, Cairo criminal court renewed the pre-trial detention of accountant and labour rights advocate Hassan Barbary for 45 days in state security case 930/2019 on charges of joining a terrorist group, committing a funding-related crime, and spreading false news and statements.
Hassan Barbary was arrested as part of a widespread arbitrary arrest campaign launched at the end of June 2019 that targeted those coordinating to participate in the parliamentary elections through an opposition alliance called “Hope.”
Precautionary measures against journalist Hisham Gaafar continue
On 6 September, Cairo criminal court ordered the continuation of the precautionary measures issued against Hisham Gaafar for 45 days in state security case 720/2015, in which he faces charges of joining a terrorist group and receiving international bribes. The precautionary measures entail visiting the police station one day a week.
Hisham Gaafar is head of Mada Foundation for Media Development. He was detained between October 2015 and April 2019.
Detention of journalist and researcher Shimaa Samy renewed
On 6 September, the supreme state security prosecution decided to renew the pre-trial detention of journalist and researcher Shimaa Samy for 15 days in state security case 535/2020, in which she faces charges of joining a terrorist group, misusing social media, and spreading false news and statements. Her detention was renewed without her appearing before the prosecutor.
Human rights lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer and journalist Esraa Abdel Fattah accused in new case
On 31 August, the supreme state security prosecution interrogated human rights lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer and journalist Esraa Abdel Fattah in a new case (855/2020) and accused them of joining a terrorist group to help achieve its goals and committing a funding crime in order to finance terrorism. The prosecution then ordered their pre-trial detention for 15 days, which would come into effect if they receive release orders in their current cases.
Mohamed el-Baqer has been held in detention since 29 September 2019 in state security case 1356/2019 and Esraa Abdel Fattah was arrested on 12 October 2019 and detained in state security case 488/2019.
Detention of former Civil Democratic Movement spokesperson renewed
On 31 August, Cairo criminal court renewed the pre-trial detention of engineer Yehia Hussein Abdel Hady for 45 days pending investigations into state security case 277/2019, in which he faces charges of engaging with a terrorist group to achieve its goals, misusing social media and spreading false news and statements.
Yehia Hussein Abdel Hady is the former spokesperson of the Civil Democratic Movement, a coalition of secular political parties which supported a boycott of the 2018 presidential elections.
