Egypt: Ahead of end of holy month Ramadan, Egyptian govt releases 41 political prisoners

Nearly a week before end of Muslim holy month of Raman, Egyptian government released at least 41 prisoners on Sunday, April 24. Those who were freed on April 24 were those who were facing political detention. According to a state-run media, all prisoners who were released were eir political activists or family members of former stalwart leers. Though government’s human rights body, in a statement released on Sunday, confirmed re h been a release of individuals held in pre-trial detention, but mentioned no ditional details.

Notably, this was not first time when Egyptian government released a number of detainees on presidential pardons before end of Raman. However, number of those freed was one of largest in recent years.  Thousands of political prisoners, however, are estimated to remain inside Egypt’s jails, many without trial.

According to local media reports, those who were released included political activist Waleed Shawky, his wife Heba Anees, Journalist Mohamed Salah, activist Esraa Abdel Fattah, and human rights lawyer Nabeh Elgani. Apart from se, Rwa Mohamed, who was arrested after making videos posted on social media criticising President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, was also released by government. 

New arrests still taking place

Under bro counterterrorism laws, Egypt’s state prosecutors have often used vague charges to renew 15-day pretrial detention periods for months or years, often with little evidence, reported AP.  It is evident to note that on one hand, Egyptian government were releasing prisoners, on or hand, new arrests are still taking place.

As per local media reports, human rights lawyer Khaled Ali said several men in country’s south h been arrested and accused of spreing lies after y sang a song about rising food prices in a video posted online on Saturday. 

(With inputs from AP, Image: Unsplash)