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Amnesty International: Egyptian teenager has been in jail for over 500 days - for wearing an anti-torture T-shirt | Amnesty International: Egyptian teenager has been in jail for over 500 days - for wearing an anti-torture T-shirt |
(7 months later) | |
A teenage student has now spent over 500 days in jail – for wearing a T-shirt that said: "Nation without Torture". | A teenage student has now spent over 500 days in jail – for wearing a T-shirt that said: "Nation without Torture". |
Mahmoud Mohamed Hussein, a 19-year-old from Egypt, wore the garment to mark the third anniversary of the 25 January Revolution. | Mahmoud Mohamed Hussein, a 19-year-old from Egypt, wore the garment to mark the third anniversary of the 25 January Revolution. |
He was arrested on his way home from a protest against military rule and the Muslim Brotherhood, and has yet to be charged or tried for any offences. | He was arrested on his way home from a protest against military rule and the Muslim Brotherhood, and has yet to be charged or tried for any offences. |
Amnesty International says the student has spent 16 months in jail for “exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly,” adding: “Hussein has not been charged nor tried for any crimes; yet, he was tortured in detention and forced to sign a confession.” | Amnesty International says the student has spent 16 months in jail for “exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly,” adding: “Hussein has not been charged nor tried for any crimes; yet, he was tortured in detention and forced to sign a confession.” |
The human rights organisation added that, although President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi announced in February that “all innocent youths locked up in jail would be released,” three months have now passed without Mahmoud being released. | The human rights organisation added that, although President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi announced in February that “all innocent youths locked up in jail would be released,” three months have now passed without Mahmoud being released. |
Mahmoud's defence lawyer, Mokhtar Mounir, told Daily News Egypt that the student wasn’t even present in the room when the judge made the decision. | |
He said: “We are going to file a complaint to the prosecutor general within a week because having a decision made on your case without the defendant present is a violation.” | He said: “We are going to file a complaint to the prosecutor general within a week because having a decision made on your case without the defendant present is a violation.” |
He added: “After the latest legislative amendments passed by the cabinet, now the number of days in which a person can be held in detention before a trial is unlimited, which is unconstitutional. | He added: “After the latest legislative amendments passed by the cabinet, now the number of days in which a person can be held in detention before a trial is unlimited, which is unconstitutional. |
“The changes are being abused and used as a tool to harass opposition in society.” | “The changes are being abused and used as a tool to harass opposition in society.” |
Amnesty International, which has been campaigning tirelessly on behalf of the teen, has called on President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and the Egyptian authorities to “release prisoner of conscience, Mahmoud Hussein, immediately and unconditionally and for all charges against him to be dropped.” | Amnesty International, which has been campaigning tirelessly on behalf of the teen, has called on President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and the Egyptian authorities to “release prisoner of conscience, Mahmoud Hussein, immediately and unconditionally and for all charges against him to be dropped.” |
The NGO added in its petition: “Mahmoud Hussein is one of many in Egypt’s prisons that are being held for months without charge or trial under renewable detention orders. | The NGO added in its petition: “Mahmoud Hussein is one of many in Egypt’s prisons that are being held for months without charge or trial under renewable detention orders. |
“But, Egypt is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and assembly.” | “But, Egypt is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and assembly.” |