Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi amid growing COVID-19 concerns
On 31 August 2020, human rights lawyer Mohsen Bahnasi was released from prison on precautionary measures following a decision by the Criminal Court of Cairo on 24 August 2020.
On 6 July 2020, the State Public Prosecution renewed the detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi again for an additional 15 days. The renewal session was held in absentia without the presence of the human rights defender, even by video link.
On 20 May 2020, the Security Public Prosecution in Cairo renewed the preventive detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi for an additional 15 days.
On 27 March 2020, human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi was violently arrested by national security agents. The next day, the Supreme Public Prosecution in Cairo ordered his detention for 15 days pending investigation. He is charged with ‘joining a terrorist organisation’ and ‘spreading false news’, in connection with his social media post, where he called for the release of Egyptian prisoners amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mohsen Bahnasi is a human rights lawyer and member of the Freedoms Committee of the Egyptian Bar Association. He advocates for the rights of political prisoners in Egypt.
- Top
- About
- 1 September 2020 : Human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi released
- 7 July 2020 : Detention of Mohsen Bahnasi renewed in absentia
- 27 May 2020 : Preventive detention of Mohsen Bahnasi renewed, hearing held in absentia
- 1 April 2020 : Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi amid growing COVID-19 concerns
On 31 August 2020, human rights lawyer Mohsen Bahnasi was released from prison on precautionary measures following a decision by the Criminal Court of Cairo on 24 August 2020. Mr. Bahnasi was arbitrarily detained in March 2020, after he made a post on social media calling for the release of Egyptian political prisoners in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 6 July 2020, the State Public Prosecution renewed the detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi again for an additional 15 days. The renewal session was held in absentia without the presence of the human rights defender, even by video link.
Mohsen Bahnasi was detained on 27 March 2020, in connection with a social media post calling for the release of Egyptian prisoners during COVID-19.
On 20 May 2020, the Security Public Prosecution in Cairo renewed the preventive detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi for an additional 15 days. The renewal session was held in absentia, without the presence of the human rights defender, even by video link.
Since being detained on 27 March 2020, his detention has been renewed every 15 days.
On 27 March 2020, human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi was violently arrested by national security agents. The next day, the Supreme Public Prosecution in Cairo ordered his detention for 15 days pending investigation. He is charged with ‘joining a terrorist organisation’ and ‘spreading false news’, in connection with his social media post, where he called for the release of Egyptian prisoners amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mohsen Bahnasi is a human rights lawyer and member of the Freedoms Committee of the Egyptian Bar Association. He advocates for the rights of political prisoners in Egypt.
On 27 March 2020, Mohsen Bahnasi received a call from an individual who claimed that he needed urgent legal support and requested a meeting. Upon arrival to the meeting location, Mohsen Bahnasi was violently arrested by several national security agents who did not present a warrant. The agents took him to his house to carry out a search without a warrant. The defender’s money and mobile phone were confiscated, and his family members were verbally abused.
After the house search, the human rights defender was transferred to an unknown location. It was later revealed that he was being held at Helwan National Security headquarters, where he was interrogated, physically abused, and placed in solitary confinement. He was not permitted to see his lawyer.
On 28 March 2020, the Supreme Public Prosecution ordered the detention of Mohsen Bahnasi for 15 days, pending investigation. He was charged with ‘joining a terrorist organisation’ and ‘spreading false news’, in connection with a social media post where he called for the release of Egyptian prisoners amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
The human rights defender was transferred to Tora Prison, which is notorious for its inhumane, unhygienic conditions. While being held there, he is at great risk of contracting COVID-19. He has no access to his family or lawyer.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned about the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Mohsen Bahnasi, the charges brought against him and the physical abuse he has been subjected to, especially given the growing concerns about a potential COVID-19 outbreak in Egyptian prisons. Front Line Defenders believes that Mohsen Bahnasi is being targeted solely as a result of his peaceful and legitimate human rights work and his exercise of the right to freedom of expression.
