Case History: Mahmoud Rehan
On 4 December 2014, Al Nozha Misdemeanours Court acquitted Mr Mahmoud Rehan and ordered his release. The charges against the human rights defender included “insulting the President” and “spreading false rumours” on Facebook.
Mahmoud Rehan is the vice president of the Independent Trade Union for Airport Workers where he actively advocates for workers' rights and the independence of trade unions. The human rights defender is an administrative employee at Cairo Airport and he was among the first to call for an investigation into allegations of corruption at Cairo Airport Company and to bring those responsible to justice.
On 4 December 2014, Al Nozha Misdemeanours Court acquitted Mr Mahmoud Rehan and ordered his release. The charges against the human rights defender included “insulting the President” and “spreading false rumours” on Facebook.
Mahmoud Rehan was initially arrested on 10 November 2014 and was detained at a police station inside Cairo International Airport. He was transferred to Al-Este’naf prison on Tuesday 18 November and the following day the Al Nozha Misdemeanours Court rejected his application to appeal his detention. The human rights defender appeared before the court on 20 November 2014 and the hearing was postponed until 4 December 2014.
Front Line Defenders welcomes the acquittal and release of leading trade unionist Mahmoud Rehan and calls on the Egyptian authorities to take all measures necessary to release human rights defenders who have been detained under the protest law for their legitimate human rights activities.
On Thursday, 20 November 2014, human rights defender and prominent trade unionist Mr Mahmoud Rehan will face trial before Al Nozha Misdemeanours Court on charges including “insulting the President” and “spreading false rumours” on Facebook. He has been detained at a police station inside Cairo International Airport since he was arrested on 10 November 2014.
Reportedly, on 10 November 2014, Mahmoud Rehan was arrested in his office at the airport for allegedly publishing posts on Facebook that were critical of the government. A month earlier, a complaint had been filed against him by airport security at the airport police station. The human rights defender was interrogated in the absence of a lawyer. He was later detained at the Police station in Cairo International airport, where he is currently being held. On 12 November 2014, the public prosecution renewed the detention of Mahmoud Rehan for 15 days. His first court hearing (Case number 23881) is scheduled to take place on 20 November 2014 before Al Nozha Misdemeanours Court.
On 4 April 2013, Mahmoud Rehan along with three trade unionists were transferred to remote airports after calling for the resignation of the Minister of Civil Aviation for his silence against alleged corruption and misuse of public money. More than 50 air supervision officers demonstrated in protest against the transfer of their colleagues. Mahmoud Rehan regained his position at Cairo International Airport after “30 June”, a mass protest against the Muslim Brotherhood in 2014.
Front Line Defenders expresses its concern regarding the detention of Mahmoud Rehan, as it is believed to be solely related to the human rights defender's peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular promoting workers' rights and freedom of association.
