Ahmed Mefreh, Alkarama's representative in Cairo, reports that between 2 and 5 July 2013, at least 50 people have been killed during gatherings, including 11 in Cairo, as well as in Alexandria, and in Minia and Matrouh governorates. Preliminary information indicates that a further 516 people have been wounded as a result of excessive use of force by Egyptian security forces.
Morsi, 5 advisers and 1 Muslim Brotherhood Leader Disappeared
Alkarama has received information that to date, ousted president Morsi, five of his advisors, and Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat Al-Shatar are disappeared, as all lines of communication with them have reportedly been interrupted.
Security officials state they are currently either under house arrest or detained.
Khairat Al-Shatar's family has not received any news from him since 3 July 2013 and are unaware of his whereabouts. Mohamed Morsi was last seen by an advisor on Tuesday 2 July at 5 pm. Ahmed Abdelati (Chief of Staff), Abdelmagid Mashali (media advisor), Ayman Ali, Aysam Haddad (both advisor on foreign affairs), and Khalid Assas (President's Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), have also not been heard since Tuesday 2 July.
According to security officials, top Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie was arrested yesterday in Marsa Matrouh but his current whereabouts remain unclear.
Illegal Detention of Katatni and Bayoumi at Torah Prison
Saad Al-Katatni, head of the ousted president's Freedom and Justice Party, and the Brotherhood's deputy supreme guide Rashad Bayoumi were arrested during the night of 4 July by security forces without any arrest warrant. They were transferred to Torah prison, where Hosni Mubarak and his sons Gamal and Alaa are currently held.
Alkarama's representative reports that at least two other leaders have been arrested and that 35 arrest warrants against other high-profile Muslim Brotherhood figures have been issued by the General Prosecutor.
Information reported by international media from security officials indicates that the two men have been detained for "insulting the judiciary" and "inciting violence". These charges are deprived of any legal basis as the Muslim Brotherhood officials have asked to restrain from violence and hold peaceful gatherings.
Alkarama's Legal Director Rachid Mesli said: "It is obvious that the arrests of Al-Katatni and Bayoumi are politically motivated and recall Egypt's policy of mass administrative detention under Mubarak. They are in clear violation of Egypt's obligations under international law."
Crackdown on Media
In the night of Wednesday 3 July, Egyptian security forces raided the offices of Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr and arrested some 28 members of the staff. Today, Mefreh spoke to a source at Al-Jazeera in Cairo, who said that they were detained at Al-Agusa police station where they were violently beaten and received death threats before being released. At present the channel manager, Ayman Ghamal, remains in detention and we are concerned by his situation.
Five other TV channels, known as being favourable to the Muslim Brotherhood, Masr 25, Al-Nas, Al-Hafez, Al-Rahma, and Al-Shabab were also shut down on 3 July following an decree issued by the Interior Ministry, and several staff members, including Mohammed Abdulrazzak, aged 30, Mohammed Jamal, aged 34, Atef Abdulrashid, aged 65, were arrested.
Condemn Human Rights Violations Regardless of Political or Ideological Considerations
Mesli said: "The role of international institutions is fundamental at this stage considering the high risk of a return to the pre-2011 status quo. We therefore urge the international human rights community to unequivocally condemn all human rights violations currently taking place in Egypt without exception, regardless of political or ideological considerations."
Alkarama will continue to monitor the situation closely. Cases of abuses committed by the Egyptian security forces will be documented and information about these provided to UN human rights mechanisms.
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