Egyptian publisher and political activist Hisham Kassem has been transferred to a prison as he awaits trial on slander and verbal assault charges, according to his lawyer. Kassem, a leader of the liberal group al-Tayar al-Hurr, has been critical of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his government. The coalition intends to offer or support a candidate for the upcoming election. Rights groups estimate that tens of thousands of people have been imprisoned for political dissent under al-Sisi’s rule. Kassem’s trial is scheduled for September 2.
Kassem’s transfer to prison comes after the recent release of several high-profile activists, including Mohamed Douma, Patrick Zaki, and Mohamed El-Baqer. The United States State Department welcomed the releases but urged Egypt to free all “unjustly detained political prisoners”. The public prosecutor has not yet commented on Kassem’s case.
Kassem’s lawyer, Nasser Amin, stated that it is unclear where Kassem has been taken and expressed concern about the quick referral to trial before a ruling on the request for bail. A security source at the ministry of interior accused Kassem of committing insult, slander, and verbal assault.
Kassem has been particularly critical of President al-Sisi and his government in recent months, calling for a restructuring of the Egyptian economy. The government has made efforts to address freedom and human rights issues, but critics argue that these measures are superficial and that arrests of activists continue.
The initial slander case against Kassem was filed by Kamal Abu Eita, a former government minister. Kassem initially refused cash bail, suggesting that he sees the case as politically motivated. His lawyers submitted a request for bail, but were surprised by a second case alleging verbal assault while detained, which they claim is fabricated.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
