Yesterday's court decision sentencing Alaa Abdel Fattah, a prominent activist who played a leading role in the 2011 revolution, and others to 15 years imprisonment on charges of violating the country's controversial protest law is another alarming chapter in Egypt's troubled transition to democracy.
S&D Group president Hannes Swoboda said:
"This verdict, based on a highly controversial piece of legislation and passed in a process that lacked the basic requirements of a fair trial, has again proven that Egypt has a long way to go to build deep and sustainable democracy.
"Mr Abdel Fattah has either been in jail or been investigated under Hosni Mubarak and under each of the country's heads of states since the 2011 revolution. Other prominent activists, including Mohamed Adel, Ahmed Douma, Mahienour El-Massry, and Ahmed Maher, continue to be imprisoned as well. They should all be free to contribute to the building of a new Egypt.
"This verdict arrives just three days after the new president of Egypt was sworn in. The S&D Group has repeatedly called for an immediate end to all acts of violence, harassment and intimidation against peaceful activists, trade unionists and journalists, and for an end to the politicisation of court cases in the country.
"We expect the new president and government to act without delay in order to release all political prisoners in custody, amend controversial legislations on fundamental freedoms, and ensure that all court proceedings respect the principle of fair trial."
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