Target: Public Prosecutor Nabil Sadek
Goal: Applaud the release of human rights activist allegedly arrested for investigating murders and disappearances.
An Egyptian court has ordered the release of a human rights activists whose organization was acting as legal counsel for the family of murdered Italian student, Giulio Regeni. Dr. Ahmed Abdullah was also investigating a number of other forced disappearances.
He was arrested in April, allegedly mistreated in custody, and initially denied access to both legal counsel and his family. He faces allegedly trumped up charges which he and the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF) claim are related to his investigative work exposing hundreds of enforced disappearances in Egypt.
Dr. Abdullah’s release comes after international political pressure,and a campaign led by the ECRF and supported by international human rights groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, as well as petitions such as this Force Change petition. Although Dr. Abdullah has been released, prosecutors have not closed the investigation, and he still faces trumped up charges that could result in life imprisonment. Sign our petition to applaud his release and demand that the charges against him be dropped.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Public Prosecutor Sadek,
I was pleased to hear of the release of Dr. Ahmed Abdullah, head of the ECRF. I believe his release is a step toward justice in this case. However, Dr. Abdullah still faces charges that leave him facing a lifetime prison sentence. He claims that these charges are a reprisal for his work exposing enforced disappearances. I urge you to examine the validity of these claims. If the charges prove spurious, I urge you to drop them.
Secondly, Dr. Abdullah has alleged that he was assaulted during his arrest and initial detention. However, no investigation has been opened to examine these claims. I believe it is in the interest of justice that these claims be investigated. I urge you to open an investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: John Englart
justice for activists!