Egypt Faces Scrutiny Over Pretrial Detentions Amid National Dialogue

Egyptian authorities extended pretrial detention for at least 125 people and arrested two journalists ahead of a national dialogue discussing detention policies. Protests over economic conditions led to arrests on charges like spreading false news and promoting terrorism. The dialogue aims to address human rights and detention practices.

Egyptian authorities have extended the pretrial detention of at least 125 individuals and arrested two journalists shortly before a national dialogue to discuss pretrial detention policies, according to rights lawyers and advocacy groups.

The majority of those detained were arrested following calls for protests on July 12 in response to economic conditions under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Although no protests materialized, dozens were taken from their homes under accusations including spreading false news, promoting terrorist ideas on social media, and affiliating with a terrorist organization, stated rights lawyer Nabih El-Genady.

On Sunday and Monday, the public prosecution extended their detention for 15 days, confirmed lawyers Nabih El-Genady and Khalid Ali. The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms verified that at least 125 people were being held. Additionally, authorities arrested two journalists in the past week—one a cartoonist for independent news outlet Al-Manassa, and the other a reporter for the Arabic Post news website, reported Ali.

Rights groups have long criticized the extensive use of pretrial detention for keeping individuals imprisoned for years. They argue it should be a last resort rather than standard practice. Egypt's State Information Service noted that recommendations from Tuesday's meetings, part of a national political dialogue initiated in April 2022, would be forwarded to President Sisi.

The Service attributed calls for protests to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, dismissing them as attempts to sow discord. Former army chief Sisi came to power after ousting the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi, Egypt's first democratically elected leader, amid 2013 protests. Over the past decade, Sisi has led a broad crackdown on dissent, targeting liberals, leftists, and Islamists.

Officials assert that the judiciary operates independently and that authorities are working on human rights issues, although critics view these measures as superficial. Ahmed al-Sharkawy, a parliament member involved in the dialogue, claimed it had facilitated the release of around 1,500 detainees, including 79 freed on Monday.

"I'm not saying everything is perfect. There are still issues, but we are seeing good results," Sharkawy stated. The Civil Democratic Movement (CDM), a liberal opposition bloc that suspended its participation in the dialogue in June due to a lack of progress, remains skeptical, particularly about freedom of expression.

"Until the state shows genuine intent to release all prisoners in pretrial detention, there is no point in attending a dialogue session," said CDM co-founder and political scientist Mustapha Kamel al-Sayyid.

(With inputs from agencies.)