Urgent Action update: Pre-trial detention for human rights defender

On 9 February, a judge ordered the pre-trial detention of human rights defender and lawyer Ezzat Ghoniem for 45 days pending investigation. Ezzat Ghoniem and Azzoz Mahgoub were detained on March 1, 2018. The court ordered their release on probation on 4 September 2018, provided they report to a police station twice a week. They were never released, and on September 14 they were forcibly disappeared by the authorities. On 20 October 2018, an arrest warrant was issued against them for not respecting the probational terms – which they could not apply as being forcibly disappeared. Ezzat Ghoniem remained forcibly disappeared until February 9, when lawyers saw him at the Cairo Criminal Court. Azzoz Mahgoub is still held incommunicado.

Take action.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 29 MARCH 2019

Please write urgently in your own words or using the template letter included in English or Arabic to:

Public Prosecutor

Mr. Nabil Sadek 

Office of the Public Prosecutor, 

Dar alQada al-Ali, Down Town

Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt

Fax: +202 2577 4716

Salutation: Dear Counsellor 

And copies to:

President 

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi 

Office of the President 

Al Ittihadia Palace 

Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt 

Fax +202 2391 1441 

Salutation: Your Excellency 

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

HIS EXCELLENCY MR TAREK AHMED IBRAHIM ADEL, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 26 South Street W1K 1DW, 020 7499 3304/2401, Fax 020 7491 1542, eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg and etembuk@hotmail.com

Please check with your section before sending appeals after the above date.