afrol News, 15 April - "Amnesty International believes that the wave of arrests of political activists prior to the elections to the Shura Council, Egypt's Upper House, constitutes a serious violation of citizens' rights to freedom of expression," the organisation said today. Over the past few weeks, tens of alleged members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been arrested in connection with their non-violent political activities in the run-up to elections to the Shura Council which begin tomorrow. Yesterday, three persons were reportedly arrested in al-Mansoura, including Muhammad 'Abd al-Ghani 'Abd al-Rahim, a candidate in the Shura Council elections, Amnesty today reports. The wave of arrests started on 19 April 2001 when Dr. Muhammad 'Abdullah and Dr. Abu Bakr Mitkis were arrested reportedly inside al-Sharqiya Police Headquarters, where they had just registered as candidates in the Shura Council elections. Dr. Sayid 'Abd al-Nur was allegedly arrested in front of the police station where he was awaiting the two others. The three university professors face charges of membership of an illegal organization, spreading the organization's ideas and possession of illegal leaflets. They continue to be held in Istiqbal Tora Prison. - In yet other attempts to obstruct the participation of alleged Muslim Brothers in the Shura Council elections, five men were arrested in al-Minya on 22 and 23 April 2001, following attempts to register as candidates in the elections, Amnesty reports. "Further arrests took place in Beni Suweif and Alexandria where nearly 40 men have been detained." The men face charges of membership of an illegal organization and possession of illegal leaflets. Among those detained in Alexandria are Tal'at Muhammad Fahmi Khalifa and Gamal Sa'ad Hassan Madi who have previously served three-year prison terms for their non-violent political activities. Amnesty International adopted the two men as prisoners of conscience who were detained in the context of the 1995 parliamentary elections and subsequently sentenced together with dozens of others in unfair trials before military courts. Amnesty today states it "fears that the alleged Muslim Brothers have been detained solely on the grounds of their non-violent expression of opinion and in violation with Egypt's international obligations." - If, as we believe, the detainees are being held in connection with their alleged affiliation with the Muslim Brothers - an organization which does not advocate violence - we regard them as prisoners of conscience and call for their immediate and unconditional release, Amnesty International said. Background Large numbers of alleged Muslim Brothers have been arrested and detained in previous years, in the run-up to elections of both legislative bodies and those of professional associations. Most recently:
Despite Egypt's international obligations pertaining to the rights of freedom of expression, association and religion, numerous people, whom Amnesty International considers prisoners of conscience, have been sentenced in Egypt solely for their political or religious beliefs.
Source: Based on Amnesty International
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