But it has pardoned dozens of detainees in recent months after its human rights record came under international scrutiny when it hosted the U.N. The Egyptian government has relentlessly silenced dissidents and clamped down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions, prison sentences and other restrictions. “Patrick is on the Asphalt,” Marise Zaki wrote on Facebook, using a phrase that activists often use when detainees walk free. Zaki’s sister also confirmed his release, posting a photo on Facebook of her brother speaking to journalists after his release. The release of Zaki, whose case was championed by Italy’s government, was announced by Hossam Bahgat, founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, who posted a picture of the bearded postgraduate student on Facebook on Thursday afternoon. Confirmation of the pardons was published in Egypt’s Official Gazette. The releases of Patrick George Zaki, an activist and postgraduate student in Italy, and Mohamed el-Baker, a human rights lawyer, came a day after they were pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi along with four other people. CAIRO (AP) - Egypt on Thursday released two human rights defenders, including one who has ties with Italy, their lawyers said, concluding two cases that drew significant international criticism and attention.
0 kommentar(er)
