June 13th 2019
Haddad Retrial Begins
Dr Essam El-Haddad and his son Gehad El-Haddad have been detained arbitrarily in solitary confinement for over 6 years. In March 2019 courts actively began their retrial after their charges were nullified by the Court of Cassation in 2016.
After Mubarak was overthrown by the Egyptian revolution, Dr. Essam, a medical doctor, philanthropist, and businessman returned to Egypt in 2011 to advocate for democratic transition. Dr. Essam served as an advisor to foreign relations for President Morsi.
His son, Gehad Haddad was an Egyptian activist who managed Cairo’s Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative. After the 2013 military coup Gehad became the media spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood.
On the night of the coup Dr. Essam disappeared with President Morsi and other advisors. Months later, after the Rabaa Massacre, Gehad were arrested and detained. They were later transferred to Torah prison in the Al Aqrab maximum security wing for political prisoners.
In 2015 Dr Essam and Gehad were sentenced to life in prison.
However in 2016, the decision was appealed and the Court of Cassation overturned the verdict. A decision was made to retry the case. They continued to remain in solitary confinement awaiting retrial.
Dr Essam and Gehad have been and continue to be detained in one of Egypt’s most notorious prisons, Al-Aqrab or “Scorpion” under extreme conditions. The cells are dark, small, without a bed, toilet, window, or ventilation. Access to food is very limited and inadequate. Both Dr Essam and Gehad continue to be denied urgent medical care. Dr Essam has had 4 heart attacks while in prison. Gehad has lost 77 lbs and is unable to move without assistance. Their lives are on the line.
Their family has continued to fight for the freedom of Dr Essam and Gehad for the past 6 years. With the start of the retrial, the family, along with the #FreeHaddad campaign calls on the international community to press Egypt for their freedom.
For more information:
freehaddad@gmail.com
https://www.freehaddad.org/
https://twitter.com/gelhaddad
Leave a Reply