The Cairo Criminal Court accepted on Monday the prosecution appeal against the release of the seven non-commissioned police officers who were involved in the formation of organisations advocating for the rights of police officers.

On Sunday, the prosecution appealed the court decision to release the police officers, who have completed five months in detention so far.

The police officers are accused of inciting other officers to strike, organising illegal protests, and belonging to a group whose target is to impact the work of the Egyptian police.

The “illegal groups” were the Coalition of Non-Commissioned Police Officers, the Club of Non-Commissioned Police Officers, and the Non-Commissioned Police Officers Union.

The police officers have been in prison for five months, despite the Ministry of Interior previously licensing the formation of these organisations.

The seven police officers were arrested on 5 March while they were entering the Media Production City to appear on a private TV channel with host Wael El-Ebrashy.

El-Ebrahsy strongly condemned the arrest of the officers, saying it is a “crime” and an act not befitting the Ministry of Interior.