The Prosecutor placed Mr. Abdel Fattah and Mr. El-Baqer in preventive detention
for 15 days pending investigation. Their place of detention remained unknown
until 1 October 2019, when their families were informed that they had been
transferred to Tora Maximum Security Prison 2 the day before.
Mr. Abdel Fattah was reportedly blindfolded on the way to prison. He was
physically and verbally assaulted by the prison authorities, forced to strip down to
his underwear and walk down a prison corridor while being hit on his back and
neck. He was later asked about his health by an individual identifying himself as a
doctor. He reportedly told the individual that he had previously suffered from
renal stones and thus needed clean drinking water. Afterwards, the physical
assault continued and Mr. Abdel Fattah was taken to an officer who reportedly
told him that he would be taught a “lesson” and that he would never get out of
prison.
Mr. El-Baqer was also blindfolded on the way to prison and subjected to similar
physical and verbal abuse when entering the facility. All his belongings, including
items of personal hygiene, were seized. Mr. El-Baqer was denied access to basic
hygiene for 9 days following his arrest. As a result, he is suffering from a skin
infection. His request for a consultation with the prison doctor has reportedly been
rejected.
The lawyers of Mr. Abdel Fattah and Mr. El-Baqer have not been allowed to visit
them in prison or to examine the secret file gathered by the National Security
Agency, used as evidence against them.
On 8 October 2019, Mr. El Baqer’s family was permitted to visit him in prison for
10 minutes.
On 9 October 2019, the Prosecutor renewed the preventive detention of Mr. Abdel
Fattah and Mr. El-Baqer for an additional 15 days. Prior to being transferred to
State Security Prosecution, Mr. Abdel Fattah was reportedly threatened by the
head of Tora Prison’s investigations with further physical abuse if he spoke about
the prison conditions and the treatment he had been subjected to.
On 10 October, Mr. Abdel Fattah was allowed to see his family. During the visit,
Mr. Abdel Fattah and his family were separated by a glass barrier.
On the same day, Mr. El Baqer was allowed to meet with his lawyer in prison.
The visit lasted for 10 minutes and took place in the presence of prison
authorities.
4