UPDATE: Prosecution appeals Malek Adly’s release

Amira El-Fekki
3 Min Read
Malek Adly

Prosecution authorities appealed on Thursday the release verdict issued by the court in favour of prominent lawyer Malek Adly.

According to lawyer Khaled Ali, the procedure undertaken by the prosecution is illegal.

“I fail to understand why the prosecution insists on such illegal procedures. Last week it ordered Adly’s detention to be extended. We appealed against their decision and the court granted him a release. The prosecution cannot appeal against another appeal, according to article 167 of the Criminal Procedures law,” Ali said in a statement on Facebook.

The Freedom for the Brave group reported earlier on Thursday that Adly had been granted a release. Due to the prosecution’s appeal, Adly’s release will be postponed to Saturday.

Adly was arrested in May against the backdrop of the Red Sea islands protests which erupted across the nation in April. He faced accusations for inciting protests.

The prosecution accused Adly of attempting to topple the regime, amending the constitution, joining an entity that works against the government, and spreading false news.

Several activists gathered in front of the Shubra El-Kheima court looking into Adly’s case, including recently released lawyer Mahienour El-Massry. There were expectations that his detention would be renewed. Before the decision, Adly’s wife Asmaa posted to her Facebook: “Awaiting the usual prosecution decision.”

The detention of the prominent lawyer stirred controversy among the Lawyers Syndicate, some political parties, and rights groups. The Doctors’ Syndicate had also addressed authorities regarding the conditions of his detention, as he was being kept in solitary confinement throughout his detention, resulting in the deterioration of his health.

Adly was among many Egyptians who opposed the Red Sea islands maritime border agreement signed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia earlier in April, according to which the sovereignty over Tiran and Sanafir islands would be transferred to Saudi Arabia.

Adly, along with prominent lawyer Khaled Ali, had collected procuration from citizens who opposed the agreement, resulting in a verdict issued by the State Council on 2 June nullifying the agreement and asserting Egyptian sovereignty over the islands. Adly was in detention when he won the lawsuit.

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Journalist in DNE's politics section, focusing on human rights, laws and legislations, press freedom, among other local political issues.
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