Prison to Prison.. A Report of Prosecution Process of the Egyptian activist Ahmed Samir Santawy
Gohoud for supporting human rights defenders, published, today, a report on case NO.774\2021 the Emergency State Security misdemeanors, listed as NO. 887\2021, wherein the court sentenced him to 4 years imprisonment and a fine estimated at 500 Egyptian pounds, against fellow researcher “Ahmed Samir Santawy”.
This report illustrates the violations Santawy has endured during his trial stage, starting by accusing him in case NO.887\2021 of the same crime he was being prosecuted in case NO. 65\2021; “spreading false news” misdemeanor. Then, Samir`s conviction upon evidentiary materials that were devoid of any evidence of wrongdoing apart from the investigation report and the complaint`s informant who accused Samir of “spreading false news”.
This report deployed the analytical methodology of the case papers wherein “Ahmed Samir Santawy” was accused of spreading “False News”, amongst others, using a Facebook account despite him being charged with this specific accusation in case NO.65\2021 before Supreme State Security Prosecution. And in spite of his documented official detention since February 6th, 2021. This report deploys the documenting violations methodology designed by the Egyptian front of Human rights and published under “Documented in papers; a guide to documenting human rights violations through the official judiciary papers”.
Ahmed Samir is a 30-year young researcher and human rights defender who studies an Anthropology MA at Central Europe University in Hungary. His research interests focus on the legalization of abortion practice in Egypt within the cultural and religious context of Egypt.
On December 15th, 2021, Samir arrived on a study vacation in Egypt. This exact date marks the beginning of his struggle; he was stopped at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport and went through rigorous lengthy investigations by the security personnel before they granted him a release. Six weeks later, Samir, was forcibly disappeared inside a police station, following his voluntary attendance in another investigation. His disappearance lasted for six days before he appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution as a suspect.
By the end of this report, Gohoud for supporting human rights defenders recommends terminating the prolonged pretrial detention of “Ahmed Samir Santawy” and resolving his legal status in the two cases he is involved in to be dismissed. Additionally, Investigating the torture and assault against “Ahmed Samir” during his detention period in addition to the trial marred by violations and abuses of the law. Accordingly, the amendment and modification of articles 80 & 102- bis of criminal law in a way that shall guarantee a just determination of the criminal activity so that not to jeopardize freedom of expression and citizens` constitutional right of criticizing public authorities.
