Only 24 hours after the extension of Egypt’s Emergency Law for another two years, lawyers requested that the attorney-general release detainees previously arrested under the law on charges unrelated to terrorism or narcotics.
The law, soon to enter its thirtieth year, is technically intended for use only against suspected terrorists and drug dealers.
The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) opposition group has also requested the release of 284 members arrested under the law within the past few months. “I still doubt the authorities will release them,” said MB lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maqsoud.
Nasser Amin, head of the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary, similarly expressed doubt that the Egyptian interior ministry would release any detainees.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
