EGYPT’S VERDICT TOWARDS HUNGER STRIKES ACTIVISTS

Cairo, 3 Muharam 1435/27 October 2014 (MINA) – Alaa Abdel-Fattah and 23 other activists have been detained on the first day of their retrial after his release last September.

Judges also ordered the arrest of another defendant who did not attend the court session, Ahram online quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The retrial will resume on 11 November.

Abdel-Fattah and 24 other activists are appealing their 15-year prison sentences for violating the protest law.

On 11 June, they were accused of organising an illegal protest, rioting, destruction of public property and using violence against the security forces.

They were also fined LE100, 000 (about $14,200) each.

The protest law, passed last November, stipulates that its violators face long prison sentences and hefty fines. The law has been criticised by many pro-democracy groups and political parties who, along with Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), have called for its amendment.

Relatives and supporters of activists detained for breaking the protest law have started a hunger strike in solidarity with the detainees. Inside prisons and detention cells, tens of detainees have also participated in the strike.

Sanaa, Abdel-Fatah’s sister, also on hunger strike, was sentenced yesterday to three years in jail also for breaking the protest law, along with 23 other defendants.

The hunger strike campaign is calling for the repeal of the protest law and the release of all detainees who were imprisoned under its provisions.

NCHR previously stated that they had been asked to participate in discussions on amendments to the law. However, shortly afterwards a cabinet spokesman said there were no plans to amend the law.

Tens of Islamists, as well as liberals, have been sentenced to prison over the law.(T/R04/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)