The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has criticized the ongoing detention of lawyer and human rights defender Nabil Anwar Issa Ali Abu Sheikha (54), despite his pretrial detention exceeding the legally prescribed period and his deteriorating health condition, which has necessitated his transfer to the prison hospital.
Abu Sheikha was arrested on April 10, 2022, and has been held in pretrial detention since then in connection with Case No. 93 of 2022, on charges of spreading false news and information, at Badr 1 Prison.
#Egypt: #CFJ condemns continued detention of human rights lawyer #NabilAbuSheikha beyond legal limits, calls for his immediate release
More: https://t.co/fZR1cIXyn2 pic.twitter.com/jbEEpHIdZr— Committee For Justice (@cfjusticeorg) August 16, 2024
During his detention, Abu Sheikha’s health has significantly worsened due to chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. He had previously undergone open-heart surgery before his detention and was recently transferred to Badr 1 Prison Hospital for a procedure to insert a stent in one of his heart arteries due to the severe decline in his health. His family has been denied visitation and has received no updates on his condition.
CFJ denounces the arbitrary actions taken against Abu Sheikha and demands his immediate and unconditional release, citing the violation of the legally mandated pretrial detention period and the critical state of his health.
