Detention of Aboul Fotouh renewed for 15 days

CAIRO – 17 April 2018: The detention of Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, president of the Masr Al-Qawya (Strong Egypt) political party, was renewed for another 15 days, pending investigations into spreading false news and harming national interests, according to the State Security Prosecution decision on Tuesday.

The State Security Prosecution also charged Aboul Fotouh with leading an unlawful group, alleging that the group's aim is to carry out acts that violate the constitution, hinder state institutions from carrying out their roles, disrupt the public order and endanger the national unity, safety and security.

On February 12, Egyptian lawyer Samir Sabry submitted an official complaint to the public prosecutor calling for the arrest of former presidential candidate Aboul Fotouh, after he appeared on Al-Jazeera television show from London. Sabry accused Aboul Fotouh of “spreading fake news” and demeaning Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

This is the fifth time his detention was renewed since his arrest on February 25, 2018, the fourth time was on April 3.