In fact, since he started studying at the Central European University in September 2019, he has been questioned by Egyptian security every time he has visited Cairo. Their questions would focus on the reasons for his trips abroad and the nature of his studies. On his last trip in December 2020, Ahmed was questioned at the airport.
When he first appeared in front of the SSSP prosecutor, Santawy was asked about his studies and academic background, including his research findings in relation to Islam and abortion, Baoumi said.
Souheila told us how much Ahmed loves knowledge: “He always has a book with him, in his small bag that he carries on his shoulder everywhere.”
Condemnations
Concern for Ahmed is growing.
Amnesty International raised concerns about him due to “COVID-19 outbreaks in Egypt’s overcrowded and unhygienic prisons.” Michael Ignatieff, the rector of Central European University, has called on European authorities to raise his case with the Egyptian government, saying that his university had already brought the case to the attention of UN and EU human rights bodies.
“We encourage universities… in Austria, Europe and around the world, as well as students’ associations everywhere to join us in calling for Ahmed’s immediate release,” Ignatieff added.
Baoumi said that the Egyptian legal system is unlikely to offer Ahmed justice without outside intervention: “The reality of the situation is that it is an extremely arbitrary system.”
“Ahmed will be released,” he said, “when the Egyptian authorities realise that the international community refuses the unfounded allegations against him and will not accept doing business as usual as long as Egypt continues to arbitrarily imprison peaceful researchers like him.”
In November 2020, when three Egyptian human rights advocates were arrested, pressure from European and North American governments succeeded in securing their release.
For Baoumi, it’s time for the UN to start monitoring the situation. He said that Western governments need to stop letting their firms sell to the Egyptian regime the weapons it uses to repress its people.
“The international community must stand up for Ahmed,” said Baoumi. “It is vital that Austria, where he was living, publicly call on the Egyptian authorities to release him.
“It is important to see media coverage of Ahmed’s situation globally and to see more mobilisation around his case.
“The international community must come together to ensure that Egypt’s human rights violations are not ignored.”
And Souheila agrees. “We ask you all to stand up and spread the cause as wide as possible,” she said.
Print
Walid el Houri | Radio Free (2021-02-22T23:00:00+00:00) Egyptian student of gender and religion jailed for terrorism on visit home. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2021/02/22/egyptian-student-of-gender-and-religion-jailed-for-terrorism-on-visit-home/
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