Prominent Egyptian writer and political activist Wael Abbas has been arbitrarily detained in Egypt for almost six months. In May 2018, his house was raided by armed police and he was blindfolded and arrested. He is facing charges of ‘joining a terrorist group in realizing its objectives’, spreading false news’ and ‘using the internet to propagate a terrorist group’s ideology’. Since his arrest, his pre-trial detention has been regularly extended by the Egyptian judiciary: most recently, on 16 October, the Cairo Criminal Court has renewed his detention for a further 45 days for investigation.
PEN believes that the charges against Abbas, widely known for documenting abuses by the Egyptian security forces, are related to his peaceful activism and critical writings. We are calling for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges against him to be dropped, and urging the Egyptian authorities to free all those held solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, including journalistic or human rights work.
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WRITE TO THE AUTHORITIES
Send appeals to the Egyptians authorities:
• Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of blogger and activist Wael Abbas;
• Urging them to drop all charges against Abbas and stop persecuting him for his peaceful free expression work;
• Urging them to ensure that the right to freedom of expression in Egypt is fully respected in law and practice in accordance with the Egyptian Constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a state party.
Please send appeals to:
President
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,
Office of the President,
Al-Ittihadia Palace,
Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt,
Fax: +202 2 391 1441
Email: p.spokesman@op.gov.eg
Moh_moussa@op.gov.eg
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice
Mohamed Hossam Abdel Rahim
Ministry of Justice,
Lazoghly Sq.,
Fax: +202 2 795 8103
Email: mjustice@moj.gov.eg
Salutation: Dear Minister
Please let us know of any actions you take in the comments box or via email to cat@englishpen.org