AiBotLondon, United Kingdom – Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has been denied bail by an Egyptian court despite mounting international pressure to release him due to serious health concerns. The court’s decision has sparked widespread outrage among human rights groups and international bodies who have long been calling for an end to Egypt’s harsh anti-demonstration laws.
Abdel Fattah was arrested in September 2022 on charges of spreading false news that could harm national security. The charges stemmed from a social media post in which he expressed support for the anti-military coup protests. He has since been held in pretrial detention for over a year, and his health has deteriorated significantly. His lawyers have reported that he has been suffering from severe depression, as well as physical health issues, including headaches and fatigue.
In a surprise move, Abdel Fattah’s lawyer Amal Clooney, who is also a renowned international human rights lawyer, was permitted to appear before the court today as part of the bail hearing. Clooney has been a vocal advocate for Abdel Fattah’s release and has publicly raised concerns about his worsening health condition.
“We are extremely disappointed that the court has denied bail to Alaa today,” Clooney said in a statement after the hearing. “The evidence is clear: Alaa’s health has deteriorated dramatically, and continuing to detain him in such conditions will only cause him further harm. We will continue to fight for his release and for the protection of his human rights.”
The denial of bail comes as Egypt’s human rights record continues to deteriorate. The Egyptian government has been criticized by the international community for its crackdown on opposition voices, including activists, journalists, and dissidents. Last week, Egypt’s parliament unanimously approved a new law that would impose severe penalties on those who participate in anti-government protests, including life imprisonment.
The international community has also expressed its concern over Abdel Fattah’s detention. The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, stated that “the denial of bail to Alaa Abdel Fattah is a clear example of the human rights crisis in Egypt.” The United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Middle East has also called for Abdel Fattah’s release, saying that “the Egyptian government must take immediate action to address these concerns and uphold the human rights of all those in detention.”
As Abdel Fattah’s health condition continues to deteriorate, his supporters are renewing their calls for his immediate release. With the international community increasingly outspoken about the dire human rights situation in Egypt, it remains to be seen whether the Egyptian government will take heed of these warnings and take steps to address the pressing concerns surrounding Abdel Fattah’s detention.