Bulletin Summary:
- Reappearance of a citizen following a 5-year enforced disappearance; State Security Prosecution orders his pretrial detention.
- Human rights lawyer Mohamed Abou El-Diyar requests the activation of the right to appeal pretrial detention orders during his detention renewal session.
- Postponement of the appeal for a defendant in the “El-Basatin Cell” case, despite the defense’s readiness to plead.
- The Second Terrorism Circuit in Cairo Criminal Court prevents defense counsel from cross-examining prosecution witnesses.
- Suspicions of financial corruption within the Helwan Sub-Bar Association.
- “Denial First”: Ministry of Interior responds to Solafa Magdy’s complaint and denies allegations of ill-treatment.
Bulletin Items:
First. Investigation and Rotation into New Cases:
Reappearing After 5 Years of Disappearance: Detention of Eid Ibrahim Instead of Investigating the Circumstances of His Disappearance On September 12, the Supreme State Security Prosecution questioned citizen Eid Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim El-Uqaily following his appearance after a disappearance of nearly five years—since his arrest on July 28, 2021—according to lawyer El-Sayed Khalaf. The prosecution charged him with joining a terrorist group and committing a terrorism financing crime, ordering his remand to Badr 3 Prison. During questioning, Eid stated what he endured throughout his disappearance; however, the prosecution failed to open an investigation into the circumstances of his disappearance or the statements he provided.
The failure to investigate the disappearance, despite it being raised during questioning, casts serious doubt on the effectiveness of oversight regarding the legality of detention. Human rights guarantees require a serious investigation into any claims of disappearance or incommunicado detention, alongside enabling fair trial guarantees, rather than merely issuing a pretrial detention order.
Second. Pretrial Detention and Its Violations:
Mohamed Abou El-Diyar Demands Activation of the Right to Appeal Pretrial Detention: “Hold the Prosecution to Its Legal Duties” On September 13, Mohamed Sabry, Supreme State Security Prosecutor, renewed the detention of human rights lawyer and rapporteur for the Defense Committee for Prisoners of Conscience, Mohamed Abou El-Diyar, for 15 days in Case No. 4502 of 2026 (State Security Emergency). He faces charges of joining a terrorist group, committing a terrorism financing crime, and spreading false news and statements.
During the renewal session, Abou El-Diyar requested that his defense be enabled to appeal pretrial detention orders as an inherent right under the Criminal Procedure Code. He also called on fellow lawyers to submit appeals against detention orders, even if rejected by the Public Prosecution, emphasizing the importance of activating this right and holding the prosecution accountable to its legally mandated role.
This incident highlights the importance of offering effective avenues to challenge pretrial detention orders. Monitoring the legality of continued liberty restrictions serves as a fundamental guarantee for protecting personal freedom and preventing pretrial detention from becoming a disguised punishment, alongside enabling detainees and their defense to meaningfully utilize legal remedies.
Multiple Violations Against Translator Marwa Arafah, Beyond Exceeding the Maximum Pretrial Detention Limit Despite being detained for over 6 years following her arrest in April 2020, Marwa Arafah remains in pretrial detention. She has been denied the right to sit for her postgraduate examinations, violating Article 31 of the Prison Regulation Law, even though she successfully obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree during her period of confinement. Furthermore, the prosecution ignored investigating her two-week enforced disappearance upon her initial arrest 6 years ago.
Third. Trials:
The first half of September 2026 witnessed the trial of approximately 1,830 citizens across 51 cases, before both State Security Criminal Circuits (Terrorism Circuits) and Appellate Terrorism Circuits at the “Badr Court Complex in Badr Prison.” Several of these trials exhibited legal flaws and lacked fair trial standards:
- Postponement of Appeal for a Defendant in the “El-Basatin Cell” Case Despite Defense Readiness In its session on September 14, the Appellate Terrorism Circuit at the Cairo Criminal Court, held at Badr Prison and presided over by Counselor Hamada El-Sawy (former Prosecutor General) with members Counselors Mohamed Ammar, Raafat Zaki, and Dr. Ali Emara, postponed Appeal No. 9490 of 2026 (Helwan Full Court) against the judgment issued in Case No. 4901 of 2026 (El-Basatin Criminal Court), publicly known as the “El-Basatin Cell” case. The trial was adjourned to November 9, 2026, for defense arguments, despite the defense stating at the outset of the session its readiness to plead, waive the hearing of witnesses, and listen to the prosecution’s closing argument. The court responded that it had not sufficiently reviewed the case files.
Enabling the defense to exercise its right to plead is a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial. This requires providing a genuine opportunity for the defense to present its arguments and claims within a framework of procedures that ensure the accused can fully exercise defense rights.
- Court Prevents Defense from Cross-Examining Prosecution Witnesses and Limits Questions to Two in the “Omraneya ISIS Cell” Case In its session on September 14, the Second Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court, held at Badr Prison and presided over by Counselor Wagdi Abdel-Moneim with members Counselors Abdel-Galeel Muftah and Deyaa Amer, adjourned the trial of 207 defendants in Case No. 13272 of 2024 (Omraneya Criminal Court), publicly known as the “Omraneya ISIS Cell” case, to December 12, 2026, to complete hearing prosecution witnesses.
During the session, the court heard the first and second prosecution witnesses but did not allow the defense to direct questions to them. The presiding judge responded to the defense’s request by stating that the witnesses did not remember any details, and the court limited itself to asking two questions to each witness regarding their role in the incident.
The right of the defense to cross-examine prosecution witnesses is a core guarantee of a fair trial. It allows for testing the evidence supporting the charges and verifying its consistency and accuracy, thereby granting the accused a meaningful opportunity to exercise their defense, particularly in criminal cases where convictions may rely on witness testimony as key evidence.
Fourth. Works of Judicial Authorities:
A) Lawyers
- Lawyers Challenge Remote Litigation Fees: “Financial Restrictions on the Right to Defense” On September 9, human rights lawyer Khaled Ali announced that, in cooperation with the law offices of Khaled El-Gammal and Hamdi Abou El-Ela, he filed a lawsuit before the Administrative Judiciary Court against the Minister of Justice. The appeal challenges the fees imposed on lawyers for attending remote investigation and litigation sessions via the Ministry of Justice’s dedicated platform. The fees include 500 EGP to attend a felony session, 300 EGP for a misdemeanor or appellate misdemeanor session, and 100 EGP for a detention renewal session, alongside 10 EGP per copied page. Users are also required to top up a balance from which service fees (attendance, detention renewal, or copying requests) are deducted and purchase a text message package to receive service notifications.
Imposing fees on lawyers attending remote sessions raises questions regarding compatibility with guarantees for the right to litigation and defense, particularly if judicial procedures become contingent on payment. Digital transformation within the justice system must not impose additional financial burdens on exercising procedural rights or create disparities in access to justice, necessitating legal and constitutional review to safeguard litigants’ rights.
- Suspicions of Financial Corruption Within “Helwan Lawyers”.. Hearing Session and Referral to General Syndicate for Investigation On September 11, the Helwan Sub-Bar Association announced on its official Facebook page that board members were invited to a meeting and hearing session at the sub-bar headquarters on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The session aimed to discuss allegations raised by board member Haitham Gallab in a Facebook comment regarding suspected financial corruption involving sub-bar board members. The statement noted that the matter was referred entirely to the General Bar Association for investigation to examine the claims, ascertain their validity, and determine liability if violations are proven.
Referring financial allegations to an investigating body helps ensure an independent examination, upholding the right of all parties to a defense and promoting transparency and accountability within trade unions, while recognizing that raising suspicions does not imply guilt prior to the conclusion of investigations.
B) Public Prosecution
- Suspension of Personal Status Lawsuit Registration at Front Offices, Restricted to Public Prosecution Electronic Portal On September 14, the Public Prosecution announced the suspension of personal status lawsuit registration services at Family Court front offices starting Tuesday, September 15, 2026, restricting them exclusively to its electronic portal as part of expanding digital judicial services. However, limiting these applications to digital means underscores the need to maintain equal access to justice, particularly for individuals facing difficulties accessing digital services or lacking the necessary technical means. The digital transformation of judicial services should avoid creating new obstacles to exercising procedural rights and include guarantees ensuring equal service availability for all users.
Fifth. Prisons and Detainees:
- “Denial First”.. Ministry of Interior Responds to Solafa Magdy’s Complaint and Denies Allegations of Ill-Treatment On August 31, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement on its official Facebook page denying claims published by activist Solafa Magdy regarding ill-treatment by a doctor and others during a medical examination in detention. The ministry denied the incident without providing details regarding an independent investigation or verification procedures prior to the denial. Furthermore, the statement contained inaccurate information, asserting that Magdy was serving a court sentence—a claim contradicting her legal status, as she was held in pretrial detention and not serving a sentence.
This raises concerns about handling detainee complaints regarding detention conditions, healthcare, and ill-treatment. Human rights standards require addressing such complaints seriously and conducting effective, impartial verifications to protect detainees and hold accountable any official found responsible for abuses.
- Fatal Heart Attack Without Medical Intervention: Death of Journalist Mohamed Nasser’s Brother in Minya Prison On September 7, citizen Mohamed Alaa El-Din Abdel-Azim, brother of Egyptian journalist Mohamed Nasser, died in his cell at Minya Maximum Security Prison. Arrested in 2018, he suffered a heart attack lasting approximately 45 minutes without medical intervention, despite suffering from pre-existing heart conditions.
The incident raises serious questions regarding the adequacy of healthcare for detainees and the promptness of emergency medical responses in detention facilities, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions. Safeguarding the right to life and physical integrity requires providing appropriate medical care, urgent intervention during health crises, and conducting independent, effective investigations into in-custody deaths to establish the circumstances and evaluate the medical care provided.