Mohamed Noby Mahmoud faces second investigation hearing
On 7 December 2017, human rights defender Mohamed Noby Mahmoud was released on bail with a 1000 Egyptian pound guarantee, following an appeal by his lawyer submitted on 7 December against a 15 day investigation renewal submitted by the Prosecution in Luxor on 6 December. It remains to be determined whether or not the human rights defender will face trial.
Mohamed Noby Mahmoud is a human rights lawyer based in Luxor, Egypt. He has advocated on fair trial rights and acted as legal representation in arbitrary detention cases. He has documented the use of military trials and the human rights violations of detainees and individuals in police custody.
On 7 December 2017, human rights defender Mohamed Noby Mahmoud will face his second investigation hearing in front of the State Security Prosecution in Luxor. On 25 November, he was transferred to Al-Jurnah Central Prison, where he is currently being held.
Download the Urgent Appeal (PDF)
The human rights defender continues to be detained in Al-Jurnah Central Prison and denied access to his attorney. On 25 November 2017, he was charged with “interrupting the application of the constitution, laws, or statutes”, “membership in a prohibited organisation”, “destablising national security”, “infringing upon public freedoms” and “inciting disruption of state institutions”.
On 23 November 2017, Mohamed Noby Mahmoud was arrested during a night raid on his home at approximatively 3:00 am. During the raid, National Security agents searched his home without a search warrant and threatened the human rights defender and his mother, who was at home at the time of the arrest, with physical assault if they did not comply with orders to give the agents electronic devices. The human rights defender was arrested without an arrest warrant and subsequently denied access to his attorney for two days.
Mohamed Noby Mahmoud continues to be denied full access to his attorney and family visitation rights. He has only been able to meet with his attorney once, at the prosecution hearing held on 24 November 2017. Mohamed Noby Mahmoud reported to his attorney that he was being detained in unsanitary conditions, and that he was denied food over the two days he was held in the National Security Agency.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Egypt to:
1. Immediately drop all charges against Mohamed Noby Mahmoud as it is believed that they are solely motivated by his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights;
2. Immediately and unconditionally release Mohamed Noby Mahmoud, as Front Line Defenders believes that he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;
3. Allow Mohamed Noby Mahmoud immediate and unfettered access to his family and lawyer;
4. Ensure that the treatment of Mohamed Noby Mahmoud, while in detention, adheres to the conditions set out in the ‘Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment', adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988.
