Press release
Cairo: 8/10/2003

EOHR Calls for the Immediate Release of Ahmed Abdel Sattar; Brother of Muhammed Abdel Sattar who Died due to Torture

       The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) expresses its deep concern about the ongoing detention of Ahmed Abdel Sattar – a student at the fourth year, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University. The said student was detained on September 9, 2003.

Security forces have arrested a number of Al Azhar students, resident at Tibhar, Abshwai Center, El Fayoum Governorate. They were accused of disseminating

anti-US and Israel propaganda through the internet. Afterwards, the security forces arrested other students until the total number of the detained students reached 14 students among whom was Ahmed Abdel Sattar.

On September 12, 2003, a force of the State Security Investigations arrested Mohammed Abdel Sattar, an engineer. The latter died 48 hours inside the headquarters of the State Security Investigations in El Fayoum after getting detained. There are strong suspicions that he died due to being subjected to torture.  

It is noteworthy that the security forces referred all the detainees from Tibhar village to Wadi El Natron prison without being investigated nor officially convicted.

The security forces harassed the family of the victim so as not to submit a report accusing the security forces of having lead to the death of the victim while he was detained at the headquarters of the State Security Investigations.

Therefore, EOHR calls for the immediate release of Ahmed Abdel Sattar and the rest of the detained students. Additionally, EOHR reiterates its emphasis on the commitment of the Egyptian authorities to guarantee the right of the citizens to freedom, personal safety and freedom of expression. Moreover, the authorities should shoulder the responsibility towards the fair public demand of abolishing the Emergency Law.