Egyptian lawyer interrogated for drafting anti-torture law

Negad El Borai might face jail time for drafting a law that counters police abuse and torture, which shows the restriction of freedoms in Egypt.
People walk in front of a graffiti of activist Khaled Said on the wall near Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo on the third anniversary of Said's death, June 6, 2013. Said, 28, was beaten to death by police in Alexandria in June 2010 with his body barely recognisable after he posted a video showing police officers sharing the spoils of a drugs bust, according to his family. The act of brutality galvanised further protests, in particular, the anti-torture Facebook page "We are Khaled Said". The page helped crys
People walk in front of a graffiti of activist Khaled Said near Tahrir Square on the third anniversary of Said's death, June 6, 2013. Said, 28, was beaten to death by police in Alexandria in June 2010 after he posted a video showing police officers sharing the spoils of a drugs bust, according to his family. - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Marwa Al-A'sar.jpg
Marwa Al-A’sar

CAIRO — In Egypt, attempting to counter police abuse and torture could lead to being interrogated and jailed — no matter what a person's status is.

Prominent lawyer Negad El Borai has recently been questioned three times, the last time on June 1, by an investigative judge after he worked on drafting a law that counters police abuse and torture in prisons, detention centers and police stations.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more