to all freedom fighters - tlaxcala networki’g ie. tb[he gi^. dih’n qills [\ion g_. dih’n f_n...
TRANSCRIPT
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To all freedom fighters
In and outside prison
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These are some of the letters that came out of prison
during the period 30 June to the release of this booklet
in May 2014; examples of many letters that were leaked,
some to the eager hands of family and friends and some
straight to the media; but all of them, from the shortest
to the longest deserve their place in the documentation of
this era of the history of our country.. These are the
words of those who paid the price for their dreams,
steadfastness and their commitment to the demands of
the revolution: Bread, Freedom, Social Justice and Dignity.
These are letters about violated freedom and dignity in a
country where human rights as well as the law and the
constitution have been violated despite the few rights
included in them.
To all of them, whose letters we published and whose
letters we did not receive, a salutation to your struggle
and steadfastness, which despite the oppression,
detentions and torture, remain the most relevant and
powerful during this era of our history.
Freedom for the Brave, Freedom to all detainees
Victory to the revolution
El Nadim Center
May 2014
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Sources of this booklet
Freedom for the Brave https://www.facebook.com/Al7oriallgd3an
A nation without torture https://www.facebook.com/elmo3zabon
Journalists against torture https://www.facebook.com/journalists.AT
El Nadim Center https://www.facebook.com/elnadeem
Not a number http://on.fb.me/1keTIX8
Revolutionary Vow https://www.facebook.com/AhdElThawra
5
I live in a prison
but
Inside I am free
6
5 October 2013
A message to human rights and of civil society organizations
The situation in prisons is as follows:
I was arrested and was unconscious from my injury. I was put in
the Dokki police station in a place approximately 5 meters square
with 30 other detainees. I felt my head bleeding for 7 hours
without any attempt to treat me or the rest of the injured ones.
After the blood of the injured covered the floor of the detaining
room and came out from it, I was transferred to the hospital in a
police car. The police officer was hurrying the doctors treating me
ni `chcmb l[jc^fs. Tb_ IV m[fch_ q[mh’n `chcmb_^ s_n [h^ b_ l_nolh_^
me back to the police station again. One of the private TV
channels video photographed me without my permission.
We were transferred at 1 am from the Dokki police station to the
camp of the central security. As we entered the military prison, the
officers and soldiers welcomed us by beating with batons, hands,
water hoses and called us the most obscene words. I was placed in
a cell 6 x 3 meters with 60 detainees, some of them were injured.
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The toilet was outside the cell and we were allowed to use it once a
day and not all of us could use it due to our large number. Many
urinated in their clothes as the toilet was not available. Food was
unavailable (once a day), no plates or spoons. Water was filled
ih]_ [ ^[s (10 fcn_lm) [h^ q[mh’n _hioab `il [ff nb_ ^_n[ch__m. W_
would wake up every day to the sound of enticing words and songs
from the soldiers and officers.
Medicines and medical supplies were unavailable. I was supposed
to change dressings for my wound twice a day but the prison
^i]nil ^c^h’n ]ig_ _r]_jn `il nqi ^[sm ncff hiq [h^ nb_l_ q_l_h’n
enough medicines or medical tools. There were children under 18
years in the cell. No specific place for smoking. There was a lady
in the cell next to mine; her name was Nagah Hassan Mahmoud.
All of the above applies to all detainees in Egypt. I know your
mission is not easy under a regime that takes to weapons to protect
its legitimacy. But your organizations were established to defend
prisoners and their rights. I took my responsibility and conveyed
the situation to you so that you would carry your responsibility in
doing your role.
Central security camp
8
2 November
Alaa Abdel Fatah
I ^c^h’n _rj_]n nb_ _rj_lc_h]_ ni \_ l_j_[n_^
after five years, after a revolution where we
overthrew the juggernaut, I returned to his
prisons?
The memories of prison are coming back, all
the details, from the skills of sleeping on the
floor with 8 fellows in a small cell (4 x 2
meters), to the songs of the prison and the
dialogues of the criminally convicted. But I
totally fail to remember how to protect my eye glasses during
sleeping. It was crushed 3 times in one day, I realize suddenly that
it is the same glasses that accompanied me in the imprisonment (in
mifc^[lcns qcnb [ alioj i` do^a_m) ch 2006, [h^ nb[n I’g hiq
imprisoned, in custody also, on the ground of the same kind of
loose charges and the nonsense reasons of this imprisonment, the
only difference is that we replaced the prosecution of the state
security with the military prosecution; a change worthy of the
military moment that we are living.
Last time, 50 colleagues share^ g_ jlcmih `lig nb_“K_`[s[”
gip_g_hn, \on hiq I’g [fih_, 8 chhi]_hnm [l_ mb[lcha g_; nb_
guilty one of them is oppressed as the innocent.
Am miih [m nb_s eh_q nb[n I’g `lig “nb_ sionb i` l_pifoncih”, nb_s
started cursing the revolution and how it failed ih “l_mnl[chcha”
the ministry of interior. I spent the first 2 days only listening to
stories of torture on the hands of the police which insists on not
being reformed, but takes revenge for its defeat over the bodies of
the poor ones, the innocent and the guilty ones.
From their stories I realized the great achievements of the return
of security. 2 of my colleagues see the police stations and prisons
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for the first time, normal youth without a shred of violence and
their charges? Organizing a gang! Yes, Abo Malak alone is
accused of leading an armed gang. Now I know what the ministry
of interior means by the daily news it publishes about the
gangsters. Good for us that security is back.
In the few hours that the sun light enters the always dark cell, we
read what is carved on the walls by a former colleague by a
beautiful Arabic handwriting, 4 walls from the ground to the
ceiling covered with Quran, prayers and thoughts and what
appears like an extreme desire in repentance.
The next day we discover in a corner the date of the execution of a
colleague, and we all cry.
Tb_ aocfns jf[h ni l_j_hn, \on nb_ chhi]_hn ^ih’n ehiq qb[n ni ^i
to avoid the same destiny.
Ms gch^ q[h^_lm [q[s `lig nb_g [h^ fcmn_hm ni nb_ a_h_l[f’m
speech in the radio during the inauguration of the longest flag in
the world, the one that will of course be recorded in Guinness
record. I wonder: is the pushing of the name of the martyr Mina
Daniel as one of the accused in my case a record in impertinence?
Based on the fact that they are the first to murder the person and
not only walk in his funeral but also spit on his corpse and accuse
him of the crime? Or maybe this cell will make a record in the
hog\_l i` ]i]eli[]b_m? A\io M[f[e chn_llojnm gs c^_[m: “I
mq_[l ni Gi^ c` sio ^c^h’n ^i domnc]_ ni the oppressed, this
l_pifoncih qcff hin mo]]__^”.
The third day, 1/11/2011
Cell 19, appeal prison, Bab El Khalk.
http://bit.ly/1lE3dP2
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15 November 2013
SOS from detainees in cell number (3) at Helwan police station:
We the political detainees in cell number (3) in Helwan police station
for a period of time approaching 3 months are asking you to take the
responsibility of our lives in front of God, we are in continuous torture,
we swear that we are dying slowly in a way that no one can imagine
except those with us or in similar situations. So we put in your hands
what we are facing so that the responsibility lies on everyone in front of
God starting from praying God for us to end our misery and taking all
the means to get us out from the torture we are facing. This is the facts
between your hands.
1. Helwan police station has four cells; their area is between 4 and 6
meters so they could accommodate 20 people (maximum).
2. We the inmates in cell (3) are 60 people and sometimes more, half
are political detainees and the rest are convicted criminals which
mean continuous smoking, fights and cursing.
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3. The room temperature now reaches 50C and more in summer and
so it is turning into a human oven.
4. Entering the bathroom is by lines (only one bathroom).
5. We sleep in shifts (one from every four sleeps alternately).
6. No food, drinks, or medical items are given to us.
7. Books are forbidden, as well as the newspapers, and the radio. The
sun is a dream; the cell phone is crime that exposes its owner to
beating, dragging and breaking the cell phone and taking it away.
8. Visits are very limited and last for only a minute or two maximum
(to take food and at some times visits are not allowed to enter due to
the large number).
9. The crawling insects around us are transforming (cockroaches
became mosquitoes and flees became spiders) insecticides are not
allowed.
10. Insomnia, psychological and physical pain and crying are all
around us.
11. The voice of torturing the convicts breaks our hearts and brings
tears to our eyes.
This is part of a whole and a drop in a shower of sadness (feeling
oppressed- fear for our children- lack of money).
Wb[n cm l_ko_mn_^ `lig _p_ls bihil[\f_ j_lmih qbi ^i_mh’n []]_jn
injustice:
1. Applying pressure on the commands of the monastery of interior to
change the situations of the political detainees in general and in
Helwan police station specifically.
2. Applying pressure on prosecutors and the organizations of human
rights to visit and inspect the police stations and prisons.
3. Publish our misery in the media and in every way to change our
situation and end our torture.
4. Pressuring the judiciary system to end our suffering and take back
our rights.
5. Praying and supplicating for God to take away this harm and this is
nb_ f_[mn nbcha, ^ih’n ^_jlcp_ us from it.
Your brothers in preventive detention
12
30 December Ahmed Gamal
I’g ie. Tb[he Gi^. Dih’n qills [\ion g_.
Dih’n f_n [hsih_ `lig big_ ]ig_ ni g_.
I ^ih’n q[hn sio ni \inb_l siolm_fp_m
I’g ch nb_ m[g_ ]_ff nb[n nb_ b_li “K[fio]b[” q[m ch
Don't worry about me
Nothing will break Gemy
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January 3 Mohamed Mokhtar; EL-Azhar Student, 6 April movement, one of the “café detainees”
“A l_pifoncih [ff ip_l [a[ch”
The people want the regime
down..
Down down Hosni Mubarak..
Bread, freedom, social justice,
human dignity”
Yes these are the slogans of
the new revolution. This might
surprise some as they were the slogans of the January 2011
revolution. Slogans that have been there for three years but, the
unfortunate truth is that we are back to point zero.
We are back to point zero but we lost a lot.. thousands of
g[lnslm„nbiom[h^m i` chdol_^.. nbiom[h^m i` ^_n[ch__m..nbiom[h^m
of mothers whose hearts died with the death of their sons-millions
whose living, social, economic and moral state got worse because
of what happened from failure, stupidity and betrayal in the post
revolution period.
Down down Hosni Mubarak.. Some might think that Mubarak
means a single person!!
Egypt has millions of Hosni Mubarak represented in the
administrative apparatus of the state, in the state organizations, in
the sovereignty apparatuses of the state. This is the biggest crime
that the believers of the revolution of 25 January have fallen for
when the revolution ignorantly or stupidly took a certain path that
leads to pr_m_lpcha Himhc Mo\[l[e “nb_ l_acg_” [h^ a_nncha ni
point zero after a period of time estimated by 3 years and after all
the sacrifices that were made.
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When the ministry of interior was able to go back to its oppressive
role again.. when the security of the state returned again to its
terrorizing role.. when the media went back to its deceptive role
again..when the judiciary system is back to being politicized.. here
we are back to point zero once again.. but can we resist?? Can we
start all over again?? Can we launch?? Can we save what is left
from our homeland and from the future..??
The chance is in front of us and in front of everyone in this
society..the chance is in front of the rightist and leftist..the liberal,
islamist, socialist..the chance is in front of the politicians and the
non-politicized ones.. in front of workers, peasants, and
students..the chance is in front of everyone..either we stand facing
injustice and oppression.. in front of poverty, ignorance, and
sickness. Our beliefs will not leave us, they are entrenched in our
minds and mixed with our blood.
Everybody must learn the lesson.. stop the fighting.. stop being
stubborn.. stop betraying us.
If you agree to stay like this we will not..who tried the taste of
freedom will never be satisfied with something else..
Let us know that as long as we are united we will stand together
and that we will fall if we stand apart. It is then that the unjust,
oppressive and corrupt surpass and the ignorance, illness and
poverty win.
We either dream for a better future, one that is worthy of Egypt
and its status, that satisfies the ambitions and dreams of the
sacrifices of martyrs or else we, our country and the future fall.
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Let us go back to our square with its real image so we can make
the difference and lead the real change, we the youth, to get to our
homeland, the land of freedom, dignified living, social justice and
human dignity.
Prison has never changed an idea, oppression has never delayed
tomorrow, and injustice could never build a country
Am fiha [m nb_ Easjnc[h \fii^ cm ]b_[j„^iqh ^iqh qcnb [hs
president
http://bit.ly/Q0pqgo
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January 5
Ayat Hamada: Kanater prison
I am ok thank God, determined and free whatever happens. If I
got sentenced 15 days or a year, I will remain free no matter what.
No one worries about me or the other girls with me. I was beaten
and dragged just for defending a girl and the same happened to
[hinb_l aclf `il ^_`_h^cha g_. Dih’n `ila_n nb_ ohehiqh ^_n[ch__.
The prisons are full of free people.
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January 25
Hussein Ibrahim Alaa El Din (Alazbakeia 25 January)
We did them wrong and the worm is witness
After we were dressed in blue and were gathered in three cells in
the floor of the convicts as we were distributed in 13 cells with the
rest of the cases in the floor of investigation, one of our friends,
who was my neighbor in the floor of investigation (as I was in cell
6 and he was in 5) found a worm looking like the silkworm, but
thinner and more brown in color. He showed it to me as it was
inside a closed bottle of water. He decided to raise it. I asked him:
what will you call her? He said you mean call him, it is a he, and
I’ff ][ff bcg “tii\if” [`n_l bcm oh]f_.
Uncle? Who is his uncle?
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He told me that they found a similar worm in cell 5 and called it
zoobol and raised it the same way in a bottle of water and that it
lived for more than 50 days in this water.
I asked zoobol while he was inside the bottle how can he live in
mo]b q[n_l nb[n q_ ^ih’n ^lche, as it is undrinkable and not good
[h^ nb[n q_ mo``_l_^ [ fin `ilg. Zii\if ^c^h’n [hmq_l g_. Nin
\_][om_ b_ ^c^h’n ][l_ \on \_][om_ qilgm ^ih’n n[fe ([ ^_`chcn_
scientific fact)
This made me think. Maybe the water is good. The prison warden
told us that the water inside the prison is better than outside and
that we were and still are drinking it, and q_ ^c^h’n ^c_. Zoobol
fcp_^ ch nb[n q[n_l [h^ ^c^h’n ^c_.
I think the water is really good. We did them wrong and acted like
victims. We have to apologize to the ministry of interior and to the
department of prisons and to the whole state for being unjust to
them and we have to thank them for their care concerning the
water we drink. If zoobol could talk he would thank them.
A question that might have crossed your mind while you are
reading (what is the source of the worms?)
The answer: the water itself
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January 26
Peter Griesty 48 years, Australian nationality, used to work as a journalist in the BBC before he joined Aljazeera international network and is detained in Cairo, he was arrested with two of his colleagues on December 30 charged by “holding illegal meetings with the banned Muslim brotherhood group”
“I q[m [`l[c^ ni qlcn_ nb_m_ f_nn_lm mi I qiof^h’n a_n ]lo_ffs
johcmb_^”.. I `__f qillc_^ [m I qlcn_ hiq. I [g ch [ cold cell after
the first official session of investigation. Four whole hours in a
room in a building that lies behind the prison during which I had
no right in anything..I decided to get out of my silence and risk
writing despite my fear of being punished by taking away my books
and pens away from me. I want to protect my pens and books as
much as I want my freedom back. So till now I had decided to
overcome my imprisonment from within by trying to show the
authorities that they are making a big mistake ah^ nb[n I’g [
victim of a political conflict that I am not related to. But after 2
weeks in prison it became clear that my silence is a decision that
puts me in danger, it is not only silence about the violations
against me and my colleagues but also against the right to freedom
of expression. And now my books have become less important. "
Journalists should not themselves become the story, and apart
`lig nb_ \li[^][mn_l’m mcah-off, we are supposed only to stay as a
witness to or agents for the news. We are not supposed to be its
subject.
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And this is what made all the attention that is happening regarding
iol ^_n_hncih qillscha `il g_. Bon nbcm ^i_mh’n g_[h nb[n I’g hin
grateful. Those who were arrested during the raid by the ministry
of interior in December 29 that involved the crew of Aljazeera
channel, are all filled with extreme enthusiasm and feel grateful
for the great support that they got from all over the world. From a
letter signed by 46 of the most respectable and impressive
journalists in the region demanding our immediate release to a
petition presented by Australian colleagues, all those written
letters, campaigns launched on the internet and also the media
conferences that are organized from those I consider our families,
I feel humbled by the huge support that we got and that provided
us with strength.
We know we are not alone.
But the annoying thing is that we are starting our 4th week since
our detention because of a journal report that looks a pretty usual
one to me.
I have been looking at a lot of work that contains detailed
investigations and real risks that took us a lot of effort to the extent
that I wished it was these reports that made the authorities angry,
however, these reports passed without any response from them.
The assignment I had in Cairo is to some extent was a routine one;
it is a chance to understand the Egyptian politics in a better way.
But after only 3 weeks at work on the ground, I could do nothing
but stand still. So when a squad of policemen in civilian clothes
forced their way into my room, at first I was a little confused then
[ fcnnf_ [hhis_^ nb[n cn q[mh’n `il [ gil_ mcahc`c][hn nbcha.
Tbcm mbiof^h’n j[mm ohhinc]_^; nb_ `[]n nb[n q_ [l_ ^_n[ch_^
because of some reports seems controversial and is telling us a lot
a\ion qb[n cm ]ihmc^_l_^ “hilg[f” [h^ qb[n cm ]ihmc^_l_^
dangerous in Egypt after the revolution.
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Just a routine report
Tb_ [ff_a[ncihm q_ [l_ `[]cha `il mol_ ^ih’n _rjl_mm [hsnbcha nb[n
we did except the normal journal efforts, the country accused me
and the directors Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed that we
are collaborating with the muslim brotherhood in using unlicensed
equipments to broadcast information that we know are false and
[l_ chmofncha ni Easjn’m l_jon[ncih [h^ qilem ih mb[echa cnm
stability, in addition to the fact that Fahmy and Baher are further
accused of being muslim brotherhood members. What I stated is
exactly what is written in the police report of investigations which
is if not seriously dangerous then it is nothing but a silly nonsense
allegation.
I [g e__h ih m__cha nb_ “_pc^_h]_” nb[n cm \_cha jl_j[l_^ `il om
by the investigators to prove these allegations, but till today they
b[p_h’n `ilg[ffs ]b[la_^ om qcnb [hs ]lcg_. W_ [l_ mcgjfs mncff ch
detention to give them more time to assemble the case so the public
prosecutor can decide if this case is strong enough to go to court or
not. And under the Egyptian judicial system we will not be allowed
to look at the file of the case until the charges are formally laid.
What we did was just the routine form of the press report about the
political drama going on around us, and what it might mean for
Egypt. The fact that this report put us behind bars is worrying
especially in the light of the historic moment that Egypt is living.
The temporarily government that came after the protests went out
in the streets of Egypt and the pressure that the army did to push
president Mohamed Morsi, the first president that comes by
democratic elections in Egypt, from power. What the Muslim
brotherhood see as a military coup, the government supporters see
that what happened with a little help from the army, is considered
toppling the regime that failed to keep its promises in being
moderate, and that caused widespread resentment, and took strict
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measures against its opposition, and was dragging Egypt to a
closed theocratic rule.
The Egyptians passed a very liberal constitution defending the
revolution, which defends in its amendments freedom of
expression, to the extent that the 11th
amendment states that it
protects the journalists from being arrested because of the
broadcast and publishing crimes.
I have no desire to harm Egypt
But what is considered as a breach of the law in this case is
relative, where anything far beyond the reasonable limits is a
threat to tb_ ]iohnls, biq_p_l, q_ ^c^h’n ]limm nbim_ fcgcnm ch iol
report.
After 20 years from working as a foreign correspondent I can
l_]iahct_ nb_ m[`_ fcgcnm, \on q_ ^c^h’n fim_ iol q[s ni _p_h ]ig_
close near its edge.
It looks like the country in this case is in an existential struggle
with some blooming forces of good represented in the free society
`[]cha nb_ cmf[gcmnm “n_llilcmnm” nb[n [l_ mncff mnloaafcha ni n[e_
control.
Ih nbcm _hpclihg_hn qb[n q[m ]ihmc^_l_^ [m “hilg[f mcno[ncih” cm
shifting far from nb_ gil_ qc^_fs []]_jn_^ “gi^_l[n_” nb[n iol
work is suddenly threatening.
We were not the only ones in our report, but our detention played
the role of a warning terrifying message to others to let them know
where this middle is.
Ih nbcm “h_q hilg[f mcno[ncih”, m_]of[l []ncpcmnm [l_ ^_n[ch_^,
some of them are in prison with me, they have been imprisoned at
least 3 times: first for opposing the oppressive regime of the
deposed president Hosni Mubarak, the second for protesting
against the abuses of the Muslim \linb_lbii^ l_acg_ nb[n ^c^h’n
last, and now because of what they are saying about the brutal
[\om_m i` nb_ ]oll_hn l_acg_. Sig_ g_g\_lm ch nb_ ][gj[cah “hi
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`il nb_ ]igcha ]ihmncnoncih” [l_ ch jlcmih \_][om_ nb_s q_l_
jonncha jimn_lm “hi ni ]ihmncnoncih” fce_ [hsih_ ][oabn n[echa j[ln
in a protest against the Muslim brotherhood which is now declared
[m [ “n_llilcmn ila[hct[ncih”.
Ih nbcm “h_q hilg[f” mcno[ncih ih_ i` nb_ ch^_j_h^_hn
organizations reckons that the number of detainees reached 21
thousands in 5 months since Morsi was ousted on June 30, and
2665 were murdered and almost 16000 were injured during the
same period. Of course among the detained are journalists
including ourselves accused of supporting terrorism and
undermining the state.
Let me clarify something for you, I have no desire in weakening
Egypt or in seeing it suffer in anyway. I also have no interest in
supporting any group, the Muslim brotherhood or otherwise. But it
seems that we are not arrested because of our work. It is the state’m
way to show what it considers normal and acceptable and that any
person who applauds the state is safe and deserves to be free and
anything else is a threat and must be totally crushed.
Written on 21-1-2014
http://bit.ly/1rnTlum
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January 27
Emad Abdel Hameed
I ^ih’n ehiq qbs I [g ch jlcmih. I
^c^h’n ecff, ^_mnlis, mn_[f il ]illojn
the country!
I’g ch ]omni^s [m [ johcmbg_hn..
We know how many of us are going
to be released even before we go to
nlc[f! I ^ih’n ehiq qbat is the
benefit from transferring us for 6
hours to go to the court! And what
is the importance of the tiring the lawyers, judges and the
country?! The beautiful thing is that people who had possessions
are released as well as people belonging to the muslim
brotherhood group! As usual our country is distinguished in
accuracy, justice and efficient security!
I’g m[scha nb[n q_ a_n ion `lig b_l_ [h^ nb_ ]iohnls jlipc^_m
business contracts for the youth to work outside Egypt and that we
all emigrate and leave it to those who stand in lines for the
referendum and for the honorable citizens, this is a solution that
will save a lot of expenses for Egypt, the expenses of our food and
drink in prisons. The cart that is supposed to carry garbage is
carrying our food due to shortage of money!! For how is the
country supposed to provide us with money!! I will not say that I
hate the country; the thing is that my country has specific
characters.
It is normal in my country that I get arrested for no charge or
possessions and stay in prison for a month. And normal in my
country that I get beaten and tortured and that all my face bleeds
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and my back gets beaten with the back of the weapons because
nb_s nbche I’g [ traitor and an agent!!
It is normal in my country to get in prison and get forced to strip
naked in the cold and crawl on the floor in the middle of the
cheers of the psychos..! And it is normal that they recommend that
I get abused because of my beliefs and sit for 2 hours facing the
wall in addition to the insults, humiliations, threats and the
psychological terror! As the police officer/// told me you Emad will
no longer be useful for anything! My imprisonment is renewed
over and over. They told me that this is my fate and that the first 5
years are the difficult ones.
And before I forget I would like to tell you that 2 or 3 years ago no
one could have been able to do this to us and we would stand still
and do nothing.
Search for our weak points and treat them because it is still a long
way to go.
26
January 29 Karim El Beheiry
I was assigned by the AL Badeel
newspaper to cover the marches in
October as it was near my house. In
the 25th i` J[ho[ls [n 9 i’]fi]e I
left my house and started reporting
to the newspaper the security
measures infront of the city of
media production and then I
headed to Al Hosary square to
cover the march that was supposed
to start form the mosque after Al
Dohr prayers.
And during my presence I had an interview with one of the officers
about the security preparations for the demonstration and then
went back to the mosque where I heard a group of people saying
nb[n nb_ ^_gihmnl[ncih [n Af Him[ls [h^ nb_ gimko_ “Eg[^
R[ab_\” [l_ `[e_ ih_m [h^ nb[n nb_ l_[f ih_ qcff \_ [n “Amq[h”
square in the 10th
district so I informed the newspaper and went to
“Amq[h” mko[l_ [h^ [n 12 [n hiih [n nb_ ncg_ i` nb_
demonstration there was only 10 persons and then suddenly dozens
started joining and the protest went on for minutes then turned
into a march and when I asked about their destination
Some of nb_ j[lnc]cj[hnm m[c^ nb_s ^ih’n ehiq nb_ ^_mnch[ncih, I
kept walking near them to know what is going on and report to the
newspaper.
The security forces started coming and fired a hail of tear gas and
then the shooting started from unknown places. I started noticing
armed masked groups with. I immediately I informed the
27
newspaper with what I noticed. When the intensity of the clashes
increased, it was difficult to continue reporting what was
happening because I was severely suffocating from the tear gas, in
addition to shooting that was in my direction, coming from sources
I did not recognize.
As I was trying to move I found an old man screaming so I tried to
calm him down and keep him away from the field of shooting. I
told him that I am a journalist and suddenly a hail of shooting
started in our direction so we ran to a square of building. The man
asked me to go up to his apartment which is to my surprise was in
the second floor in the building that we took as a refuge to protect
us from the shooting.
After half an hour the shooting stopped so I asked the man to leave
but as I was on the stairs I was surprised by dozens of masked
i``c]_lm. I nif^ nb_g I’g [ diolh[fcmn [h^ mbiq_^ nb_g gs qile ID
but they brutally assaulted me all the way to the police car. The
process of assault continued then I was put in the police car and
they took away my personal and work ID, two cell phones with 3
SIM cards, a silver wedding ring, and 225 Egyptian pounds. When
I found a police general and an officer of investigations I tried to
[me `il nb_cl b_fj [h^ nif^ nb_g I’g [ diolh[fcmn, \on nb_s “]olm_^
g_” qcnb nb_ gimn i\m]_h_ qil^cha [h^ I q[m nl[hm`_ll_^ ni jifc]_
car and all the way I was attacked by arms and batons from the
police.
I was put in a car filled with young people mostly at 17, I was
transferred to police station October 2 along with 46 accused and
another round of assault started but more brutal than what had
happened in the street before. 46 were pulled away and
photographed beside what is supposed to be firearms and
molotoves and when I was asked to be photographed next to them I
28
l_`om_^ [h^ nif^ nb_ i``c]_l g[h[acha nb_ jifc]_ mn[ncih nb[n I’g [
diolh[fcmn [h^ ^ih’n ehiq [hsnbcha [\ion nb_m_ q_[jihm [h^ nb[n
I will not be photographed next to them no matter what happens.
Ih l_mjihm_ I q[m \lon[ffs [mm[ofn_^ ncff [ “mn[n_ m_]olcns” i``c]_l
brought me to a private office and started interrogating me about
my relation with 6 April movement and the movement of the
revolutionary socialists refusing to be convih]_^ nb[n I’g [
journalist and that I was in a business mission in October and that
my work ID proves this and that I am ready to call the newspaper
mi nb_s qiof^ ]ih`clg qb[n I’g m[scha, \on b_ l_`om_^ [h^ e_jn
interrogating me for an hour.
I was transferred to a central security camp at the kilo 10.5 on the
Cairo Alex road where I and another 46 were welcomed by around
10 soldiers and officers forcing us to face the wall and to undress
completely except from our underwear. The soldiers brutally
attacked us for half an hour or more then were placed in a cell
where 71 detainees were placed while it was only fit for 20.
At 2 am I was surprised to find a soldier calling for me and
another 4, we were taken to a room in the camp getting assaulted
by the soldiers all the way, we were blind folded and an
interrogation started by the same officer that was in October police
station till 6 am in the middle of brutal assaults by soldiers that
involved again stripping us from our clothes. The main core of the
interrog[ncih q[m nb[n I q[m []]om_^ \s \_cha [ “g_g\_l i` nb_
Muslim \linb_lbii^”, I [mmol_^ bcg nb[n I q[m [ “f_`ncmn” mi b_
said I belonged to 6 April and the revolutionary socialists, I told
him this is not true and also that it is not an accusation. He started
[mecha g_ [\ion “Abg_^ M[b_l”, “Eml[[ A\^_f F[nn[b” [h^ nb_
diolh[fcmn “H_mb[g Fio[^” [h^ nb_ f[qs_l “H[cnb[g
Mib[g_^__h” [h^ nb_ f[qs_l “M[lq[ F[lioe” [h^ mig_ inb_lm,
nb_h b_ mn[ln_^ ko_mncihcha g_ [\ion “Amm_g Af M[a_^” [h^
29
other members of the muslim brotherhood whose numbers were
written in my personal journal index, so I told him that I am a
journalist and that I must have numbers of sources and told him
that this index contains phone numbers of some activists, officers
and military experts..
Why ask about those? The answer was attacking me and telling me
nb[n I q[mh’n [ diolh[fcmn [h^ nb[n nb_ h_qmj[j_l nb[n I’g m[scha I
work for denied knowing me. I said this was impossible because
work ID proves it in addition to the fact that I was in a business
mission. The response was beating and insulting. In the morning I
q[m l_nolh_^ ni gs ]_ff \on I ]iof^h’n mf__j \_][om_ cn q[m ]liq^_^
fce_ “[ ][h i` m[l^ch_m”.
At 12 noon in 26 January I was seen by the prosecutor who came
to the camp. I told him all the above, but he said we will wait for
the investigations that will be ready tomorrow however I was
surprised to be imprisoned 15 days pending investigations
although I was in a work mission.
3 days passed each one we were insulted, my medicines that help
me breathe as I have a severe asthma were not allowed and I
]iof^h’n mf__j \_][om_ i` nb_ ip_l]liq^cha ch ih_ ]_ff qbc]b g[^_
us sleep alternately. The strange thing is that the prosecutor
refused to refer me to the forensic doctor although I told him that I
was brutally attacked and he saw it with his own eyes.
I am now waiting for the justice of law but it seems that it is
broken and in the refrigerators and that the time of fabricating
charges is back that turned a journalist doing his job to an accused
by having weapons, Mifinip’m, [h^ b[h^g[^_ \ig\m, [m c` I’g [
terrorist although all what was found with me were cell phones,
“chb[f_l”, qile ID [h^ gs iqh gih_s.
30
The important thing is that what I saw in the camp is a disaster;
the place of my detention is illegal where torture is brutally
executed. College students and citizens who did nothing and
without belonging to any group are placed in this camp..Their only
charge is that they have grown their beards although they refuse
the Muslim brotherhood and are moderates however they are
[]]om_^ \s \_cha “l_fcaciom”.
At the same time there are convicted criminals who had more
mercy for us more than the police who asked them to assault us,
but they gave us medicines to treat us from the squeal of torture,
this is apart from children at 17 who by accident were in the street
during breaking up a demonstration and who they know nothing
[\ion jifcnc]m _r]_jn cnm h[g_. I` I’g ^_mnch_^ ni fcp_ fiha_l, I qcff
write and write about my diaries in the camp of at 10.5 kilo.
Thursday 29 January 2014
Abdel Karim El Beheiry Abdel Karim
Khiqh [m “K[lcg Ef B_b_cls”
http://bit.ly/1mXH8vJ
31
February 19 Karim El Beheiry About the central security camp at kilo 10.5 after the second renewal of his imprisonment for another 15 days
“Dc[lc_m i` [ ^_n[ch__”
We all stood against the attempts to politicize the judiciary and this
was one of the most important reasons of the revolution against
the regimes of Mubarak and Morsi which tried to control the
judges and change their verdicts to political ones according to the
whim of the regime, I used to think that by the falling of the ousted
president Mohamed Morsi that the judiciary is back to being
independent, and I deeply believed it, but I was shocked when I
was arrested, as well as, dozens on 25 January in the middle of
fabricating accusations and brutal attacks and torture that seemed
systematic as it was during the time Mubarak ruled. I thought we
were the only arrested ones but I was shocked to find that the camp
of the security forces at kilo 10.5 in October city where I was
detained had another 300 detainees most of them innocent from
the charges fabricated for them. For 25 days I heard the stories of
32
a lot of then more than once to make sure they were honest, and
nbcm cm nb_ l_jiln_l’m q[s i` ehiqcha nb_ nlonb.
My second shock was not only in their stories but that when most
of them were seen by the prosecution and the magistrate more
than once, the decision was to imprison them, the thing which
changed the case into a political decision and not a lawful one,
because when I saw the charges and the accused people I was
determined that any judge who will look up these cases will release
those detainees and imprison the officers who fabricated the
charges to take revenge for the independence of the judiciary and
justice that he will carry the responsibility of applying them on
earth but it seems that this is just a dream, I try in this article to
talk about some of what we suffer from during the day in prison.
Our day starts always by opening the cells at around 9 am to get
everyone out from the cell where people slept over each other like
a can of sardines. The cells are opened after the detainees scream
asking to go the bathroom, and the response to their screams is
usually insults and humiliation from the soldiers and officers, then
all the detainees start getting out to the bathroom like a flock of
birds during the season of immigration, everyone stand in a line in
front of 3 bathrooms, 2 of which were built at the expenses of the
detainees because there was only one before, and by the time this
line is finished it is time for the noon prayers so the line starts
again to wash to get ready for praying in front of 2 basins one of
them also built on the expenses of the detainees.
Food comes at 2 pm, it is formed from 2 dishes, one contains rice
and the other cooked vegetables and this is the only meal during
the day presented to the detainee and if you want to eat something
else during the day you either go to one of the fellows and ask for
food if he has stored some from his visits, or buy bad sandwiches
`lig nb_ “][hn__h” i` nb_ jlcmih, nb_ gih_s i` qbc]b ai_m ^cl_]nfs
33
to the officers pockets. The detainees spend all day reading Quran
or allowed novels because political books are forbidden or they
stay together telling stories about their lives and in the middle of
all this prayers and the daily journeys looking for food or
medicines or air to breath.
As there is no food or medicine-even if it was a life or death
matter- or covers except if your family brought you, even the air
suction machine that renews the air to give some space to breath
[h^ nb[n q[m \ioabn \s gih_s ]iff_]n_^ `lig nb_ ^_n[ch__m b[mh’n
been installed till now, and if one of us gets suffocated, he would
be transferred outside the cell to the place of visiting area to take
mig_ `l_mb [cl [h^ nb_h ]ig_ \[]e, hi ^i]nilm _r]_jn Gi^’m
mercy.
The day ends with the detainees collecting the garbage of the
whole day and swipe the prison with water and dettol. 2 lucky ones
volunteer to get the garbage outside the cells and they are lucky
because will smell some fresh air not like the polluted air we
breathe from, then comes the time when the officers come to make
sure that no one escaped-although this is impossible- and this is a
daily routine and of course is not free from some insulting and
cursing our mothers and sometimes brutal beating if someone
caused any mood disturbance for the officer.
The prison consists of 4 small cells each takes 11 person although
it fits for 4 only in addition to 5 large cells each one contains
around 87 person during the overcrowding times and 75 in
luxurious times if not more according to the mood of the officer,
and the strange thing is that these cells fit for 20 person maximum,
and here comes the merciful act from the officer when he gets 25
person from the cells out to sleep in the bathrooms.
34
After the prisoner check is over it is usually around 1 am, the
detainees pray and sleep which is a very difficult and torturing
process like performing an open heart operation without
anesthesia because of the overcrowded number. This is what
usually happens on daily and regular basis apart from sometimes
qb_h ih_ i` nb_ i``c]_l’m gii^ a_nm ^cmnol\_^ [h^ ^_]c^_m ni \lchg
one of the detainees to have fun in a process of humiliation,
assault and mockery till his mood is better.
The only day that the detainees stood up was when one of the
officers insulted a detainee and tried to tie him in handcuffs to be
beaten by the soldiers, the rest of the detainees started shouting
freedom and banged heavily on the cell walls by their hands till the
officers stepped back from the trial of assault that is brutal most of
the time.
But the next day there were threats for all the detainees that if this
happened again the response will be throwing tear gas inside the
]_ffm, nb_ nbcha nb[n ^c^h’n n_llc`s om [hs gil_, [m q_ ^[cfs `ilg 4
am-9 am live in the middle of soldiers shouting during their
training and shooting and their training on using tear gas the
smell of which reaches the cells and we smell it to the extent that
we started feeling that we became addicted to.
The detainees here are children, students, university professor,
journalists, doctors, engineers, company owners and workers.. etc,
also a small number of prisoners accused by possessing drugs or
weapons or charged by murder and who were there before we
came, the strange thing is that if their stories are published it will
expose and disgrace another face of the corruption of the police
officers, but those prisoners refuse the idea of publishing any word
from their stories fearing that other charges will be fabricated for
them.
35
All detainees from children to old men were tortured in different
methods as severe beating or electrocuting. The detained would
stand on water or get stripped naked, beaten and threatened to be
rapped or to arrest their families along with some insults including
the cursing which is the usual.
I want to write about a lot of stories in details to show the extent of
savagery and fabrication that the apparatuses of police and state
security are back to, but I will keep these stories to the next article
c` cn q[mh’n n[e_h [q[s `lig g_ [m q_ b_l_ qlcn_ \_bch^ nb_ \[]e
of the jailer because if he finds written paper or numbers he reads
them and then cruelly cuts them, and usually the one who wrote
them gets a full session of assault.
Before I end my article I want to remind you of some of the
charges that face the detainees whose age varies from 15 to 75
years. Some of these charges are possessing weapons, bombs,
masks or yeast, breaking the glass of a plane, stealing an
armored/tank, killing or attempt of killing police officers, or
possession of slogans or the Palestinian scarf.
The strange thing is that facing these charges are according to
whether the detained is bearded or not, many were arrested just for
being bearded, or children and young people who by coincidence
their houses or working places were in the places of the
demonstration, or they were arrested during having a meal in one
of the restaurants or during sitting in one of the cafes.
Kareem El Beheiry
Prison of the camp of the central security at kilo 10.5
http://bit.ly/1g0xk2E
36
February 16 (published 19 February) Omar Hazek Sentenced to 2 years and a fine of 50 thousand pounds for participating in a rally during the retrial of the Khaled Said case. The letter was written after rejection of his appeal.
I’g _rj[h^cha nb_ mj[]_ i` gs `l__^ig [h^ bog[hcns.
I know that my friends are few, and I owe them, to salute them, to
tell them that I miss you my friends, my brothers in freedom and in
the love of this poor country, the country whose freemen revolt to
defend love, let us say love of life, to make the poor love the life
more, the ignorant love life more and the criminals love life more,
[h^ ehiq [\ion nb_ fip_ ch cn nb[n nb_s ^c^h’n ehiq \_`il_.
I write for you in the evening of 16/2/2014 after the judge affirmed
the sentence of 2 years in prison and a fine of 50,000 pounds. Let
g_ n_ff sio: hi ih_ _rj_]n_^ nbcm p_l^c]n, \on I’g b[jjs qcnb gs
life in prison.
37
In early December I was planning to travel a long vacation outside
Alexandria, to see a new world, and get open to a new life, and feel
the human beina ch [ ^c``_l_hn q[s, [h^ nbcm cm _r[]nfs qb[n I’g
doing now, at a deeper level than what I was planning.
In the last months I felt so sad from all the fakeness and hypocrisy
in our society, and I noticed that a lot of our human relations are
false and based on complementation, with no depth. My colleagues
at work know that for months I refused to share in any celebration,
and asked not to celebrate any occasion concerning me, even with
a bouquet of flowers. I testify that here I live a real life with no
fakeness. No fakeness in prison, there is no meaning here for
people to fight to stay alive, and no one here has any desire to
compliment another prisoner.
In prison I found who thinks and work hard to make his life more
beautiful and easier, who smiles for me in a doubtless brotherly
and loving way. While I told some of my friends who shocked me
months ago that human relationships should not be disrupted
because life separates people in a cruel way, suddenly and with no
introductions and people begin to regret when it is of no use. And
this is what happened.
My brothers in freedom and in the love of this country that is
rising and tottering, rising with us and getting kicked by their feet,
I want to tell you; I asked myself a lot when I had the first verdict:
what does it mean that I protest against beating a protestor and
nb_h a_n mo]b [ m_hn_h]_? Tb_ nlonb cm nb[n I’g nin[ffs cmif[n_^ ch
jlcmih, I ^c^h’n ehiq [\ion nb_ \_[onc`of mifc^[lcns qcnb g_ _r]_jn
f[n_fs. Im cn qilnb cn? I n_ff sio s_m. Oh_ ^i_mh’n get a chance to
develop his humanity and expand the space of his freedom except
by paying a price; I mean a real price, a painful one that makes me
38
feel that I bought my freedom and value as a human being in its
full price.
When I arrived at the Hadra prison, I arranged my few things, and
washed to get ready to pray, the water was freezing that I was
shivering from its coldness, and I felt so sad; how can I shower
here with such freezing water? In the next day I was going to be
seen by the judge of investigations, and I wished deeply to be
l_f_[m_^ [h^ b[p_ nb_ ][m_ ]fim_^ (nbcm q[m 2 gihnbm [ai). I ^c^h’n
imagine that day how I was going to live and shower with such
water and the cell was extremely cold, and I had to take a shower
every day because of the nature of this prison. The judge sentenced
me 15 days in custody pending investigations and I lived a night
nb[n I qih’n `ila_n, nb_h I ^_]c^_^ ni n[e_ [ mbiq_l _p_ls day. The
water was cut off and I sat nervously waiting for it till it was back
and I tooe [ mbiq_l [h^ _h^ol_^ nb_ ]if^, I ^c^h’n \_fc_p_ nb[n I
overcame this in a strong and simple way, I kept having a shower
daily with the freezing water till I was transferred to the permanent
cell which had a boiler (kettle) to make tea and hot water before
showering, however I kept showering with cold water, I noticed
that it refreshes me and awakens all my senses. I knew my life
changed since this moment till the last moment in it. Nothing is
impossible. At the beginning I faced problems like this every day,
and moment by moment I overcame them till they are gone. Now I
finished a big part of a new novel that I have been thinking about
\_`il_ I q_hn ni jlcmih, I mn[ln_^ cn b_l_ [h^ I’g b[jjs qcnb cn.
Around 10 days ago I got the first printed copy of my nip_f “I
^ih’n fce_ nbcm ]cns” [h^ nbcm b[m [ mnl[ha_ g_[hcha: I a_n nb_ `clmn
copy of my first novel as I enjoy the taste of my freedom and value
as a free human being. When they transfer us to the court they
take security measures that are suitable for army commands and
terrifying criminals. They fear us. Freedom is like a beautiful
39
qig[h, sio ^ih’n n[mn_ b_l qb_h sio n[fe [\ion b_l, \on qb_h sio
get involved with her.
Have a night full of freedom my friends
Omar Hazek-cell 2/5-Hadra prison
Sunday 16/2/2014
http://bit.ly/1hXmifl
40
20 February A statement by detainees held at 6th October central security camp
To whom it may concern
Tb_ ^_n[ch__m ch nb_ ][gj i` nb_ m_]olcns `il]_m ch O]ni\_l “ecfi
10.5 the Cairo Alex road“, nb_ cll_mjihmc\f_ [nncno^_ i` nb_ jo\fc]
prosecution that is biased in favor of the governing authority,
instead of being neutral and subjective as being the investigating
authority, unfortunately they issue all the detainees 15 days in
custody that gets automatically renewed, although most of the
charges against them are nonsense with no evidence in the memo
reported by the national security!!
The public prosecution by such biased irresponsible attitude is
trying hard to prove true the detaining decisions that the security
forces are trying to prove legal. It is an obvious attempt that makes
the general prosecution partner with the governing authorities in
the crimes committed against the Egyptian people.
The detainees in the mentioned camp are giving the general
prosecution 10 days to get back to its senses and do the role it is
supposed to do according to law and constitution, or else they will
announce boycotting it and stop dealing with it as one of the
oppressive tools of the state, and this is granted us by the
constitution. The detainees are calling for all the organizations of
the civil society concerned with human rights to act rapidly to stop
the daily violations taking place against them even in their basic
rights, especially that they have among them children at 15 and old
men over 70 and patients with chronic diseases. The detainees
confirm for their families and for the great Egyptian people that
they are determined on the right path, will not deviate away from it
ncff pc]nils ]ig_m \s Gi^’m qill.
41
23 February Sherif
“Ms g_mm[a_”
I will summarize the misery in
my heart in few words.
I ][h’n _rjl_mm_m qb[n cm aicha
on inside me without sadness
and grief for what we are in.
They now want us to die twice.
Once alive on their hands in
their prisons, and another time
\s Gi^’m `[n_ [h^ nb_ _h^ i`
our life and I see that the
second way is better for me
hiq. I ^ih’n q[hn ni \_ [fcp_ ch
gs al[p_. Tb_ “jlcmih” `il g_
is like a grave exactly and
worse.
Finally I want to see a real positive step for the sake of the students
i` Easjn qbi ain _g\l[]_^ \s cnm jlcmihm nb[n ^i_mh’n q[hn ni f_n
ai. Imh’n cn _hioab `il nb_g nb[n \_][om_ i` nb_g iol `onol_ cm
fimn?!! Imh’n cn _hioab nb[n iol `[gcfc_m [l_ ]lscha `il om ^[s [h^
night fearing from our sad destiny?!!
But despite all the pain I still have hope. And I know that God will
not waste the effort of anyone.
A student.. Freedom
23/2/2014
42
Islam Farag Eid Hendi 20 years, a student in preparatory school in the October high institute of engineering
I was arrested during the events of 25 January at Dokki police
station.
I was on my way to one of the optical laboratories in Dokki while a
march was passing. I found the lab closed and while I was on my
way back the police attacked the march and arrested a large
number randomly.
We are approaching the beginning of the second semester.
I demand the release of all the detained students.
43
Islam Badr 17 years old
Reason for arrest
I was arrested from the entrance of one of the residential building
where I was hiding until the demonstration would pass and the
street gets safe for passengers. I was on my way to play football
with some of my friends.
My message:
I found in Egypt unexpected injustice. I found the future of
scientists being lost. I found the police of my country destroying
who stands in fornt of it even if he is right. I forbid myself to see
an animal treated the way the police treats people. I found that the
police hate what God loves.
44
Mo'men Khaled Mahmoud, 15 years
Reason for arrest
I left my home to deliver a flash memory to one of my friends and
found tear gas and clashes on the way, so I hid in one of the
buildings and was arrested there.
My Message:
?!!!
45
Yasser Mohamed Abdel Monem, 16 years
Reason for arrest:
I was st[scha [n gs `lc_h^’m biom_ mch]_ Flc^[s 24/1 [h^ q[m
waiting for my cousin to come the next day. On Saturday we heard
sounds of clashes in the street and saw it form the window. I called
my father who ordered me to come back home as he feared
something wrong would happen. I went down and found myself
besieged by policemen who told me to surrender and drop
qb[n_p_l I b[p_, \on I ^c^h’n b[p_ [hsnbcha. Tb_s e_jn \_[ncha g_
till we reached the car!!!
My message:
Tb_ ^_n[ch_^ cm chhi]_hn ohncf jlip_^ aocfns„ A mentence that was
removed from the dictionary of the Egyptian police and policemen.
46
Islam Fathy Mohamed Mahmoud , 20 years
2nd year, Faculty of Art
Circumstances of arrest
I was arrested from the general Agouza hospital after taking one
of the injured during the raid of the forces of the central security
into the campus of Cairo University after I finished my exam.
My message
As life crushes us and as we sit in a small cell praying for God.
We are generations that got burdened by difficulties but be
optimistic. A glorious future is coming.
47
25 February 2014
Journalist Ahmed Gamal Zeyada
I completed 60 days in Abou Zaabal prison, after we were
physically and psychologically tortured in the police station of
Madinet Nasr 2 then tortured again in the Salam camp and slept
for 4 days on the ground of the camp and after evidence was
fabricated in front of our eyes, and who objects gets tortured, and
after all this we were placed in Abou zaabal prison.
We received 2 blankets one to put on the ground and the other to
warm ourselves with in an attempt to convince ourselves that we
are warm!! Food is composed of 2 loaves of bread and a piece of
halawa and rice all day. Bakeries or canned food that comes from
our families every 8 days in the visits are forbidden.
When our families come to visit us they wait outside the walls of
the prison for more than 8 hours to see us for only 5 minutes!!
48
The detectives read any letter sent to us from our relatives and
`lc_h^m, I ^ih’n ehiq nb_ qbs!! Ah^ qb_h nb_ `iod that comes to
us in the visits is being inspected, the detectives eat half of it like
g[^ ^iam nb[n b[p_h’n m__h `ii^ `il [ fiha ncg_!! W[n_l a_nm ]on
off for very long periods.
60 days and the cells are not open for us to walk and exercise as
the law allows us. The cells are only opened to bring food in and if
one of the officers gets bored he enters the cell and orders us to get
stripped under the pretext of searching the cell and they would
take all our heavy clothes that protect us from the cold winter.
Suddenly in 16-2-2014 the cells were opened for a reasonable time.
Then someone I think with a high rank in the ministry of interior
came to us and asked us about our needs, we told him we have
only 2 blankets. He ordered blankets to be brought for us!! They
did and to get clothes and they did, in the same day and for the
first time doctors asked if one of us is ill?! Knowing that I wrote
before about a case of death due to negligence when a patient was
in pain for 6 hours and more and we were screaming but, the
detective ordered us to shut up because we were sons of bitches as
he said. This detainee died and the paramedics came an hour
later!!
I asked the doctor: why the sudden attention doctor?!
He answered: 2 days exactly and everything will back like before
I asked: why?!
He answered: because there will be a visit from the human rights
organization tomorrow!!
Me: surprise!! And you got surprised although you know?!
In that same day the water was available all day!! Food was
eatable and could be eaten by human beings not the food that
animals would refuse to eat from its rotten smell!!
49
The visits in the next 2 days the 16th and 17
th lasted for half an
hour instead of 4 minutes!!
I wonder!! They fear the organizations of the human rights and
^ih’n `_[l God!! They respect the international opinion more than
they respect humanity!!
I `__f hiq fce_ I’g ch nb_ gc^^f_ i` ]illojn_^ _f_]ncihm. Fil mol_
after this visit everything will be back as it was.
The humiliation and psychological torture and stripping naked for
sure will happen again and they will take back the extra blankets
\_][om_ nb_s [l_ jl_]ciom [h^ q_ ^ih’n ^_m_lp_ nb_g [h^ nb_s qcff
cut off the undrinkable water and our families will visit us for only
4 minutes every 8 days or more and the doctor will not ask about
our health!!
Everything will be back to before and worse. We the detained
youth of the revolution will also be back to spark the light of the
revolution that they are trying to abort. We will not calm down till
the revolution triumph over the thugs and corrupts. We will back
to win or die inside the prisons. It is not important if we die as long
as we are on the right path!!
*note: the sun of 23-2 mbih_ [h^ nb_ bog[h lcabnm pcmcn ^c^h’n
come till now. It is obvious that they wanted to visit the chief of
investigations and the prison warden to make sure they were all
lcabn [h^ nb[n q_ q_l_h’n nilnolcha nb_g! Nice people!
http://on.fb.me/1g3473G
50
February 26 (published on the 5th of March)
Omar Hazek
“Ti qlcn_ [ hip_f \_mc^_ [ \[ll_f i` a[l\[a_ nb[n hi ih_ _p_l
q[mb_^”
Ms `_q `lc_h^m„ g[s siol ^[s \_ `off i` fip_
I was informed yesterday that some of you read my previous letter,
[h^ qlin_ g_ f_nn_lm, I [g fiiecha `ilq[l^ ni l_[^cha nb_g, I’ff a_n
them ch gs h_rn pcmcn, \_][om_ hiq I’g ch Bila Ef Al[\ jlcmih, [m
I was transferred with the convicted after the appeal was rejected
from the Hadra prison.
Now our uniform in prison will change from white to blue, proudly
I’ff f_[p_ nb_ ohc`ilg i` t[g[f_e ni nbat of Barcelona but without
the red stripes, (a laughing face), the price of my novels will rise so
be prepared!
Ih nbcm “cgjlcmihg_hn”, I b[p_ mig_ mnl[ha_ \[^ fo]e, nb[he Gi^
for everything; I was distributed in a very small and crowded cell
in Hadra prison.
There is unprecedented overcrowding because of the large number
of detainees. The only place that I could have in the cell was beside
51
the door, 1 meter away from a barrel of garbage that evidently no
one washed for years, and no plastic bags were put in. It was
awful. The smell is terrible and a collection of cockroaches here
that the cold only gives them strength and persistence.
From the beneficial lessons I learnt in prison is that Egyptians
^ih’n `[cf ni mifp_ [hs jli\f_gm qb[n mi _p_l. Sig_ i` nb_ good
fellows in the cell started helping me with many ideas, we found a
way to wash the barrel for fees, then we organized getting big
plastic bags to put inside and close them at night, we did a strong
and regular cleaning campaigns.
Unfortunately lights are completely off in the small cells, while the
big ones are left with some light in the end of the cell for those who
want to read or write. In the small ones there is no chance for any
privacy or isolation and this is the worst thing.
All the talk that I hear I totally refuse and there is no point in
[laocha [h^ nb_l_ cmh’n [ koc_n ]ilh_l. A`n_l [ gihnb ch gs jlcmih
I `_fn nb[n c` I ^c^h’n `ch^ [ q[s `il cmif[ncih ni qlcn_ I’ff ^c_. I
started to close my ears with pieces of tissue and ear plugs because
any kind of cell phones or MP3 are not allowed here, and this is
[hinb_l ^cm[mn_l [m I ][h’n qlcn_ _r]_jn qbcf_ I’g fcmn_hcha ni
songs.
Before I was detained I was revising the draft of a short novel that
I qlin_ [h^ I’g hin [\f_ ni a_n cn ch \_][om_ qlcnten words in
Hadra prison is a serious and big problem. Suddenly I
remembered that I had written a note about an idea for a novel
about an old man suffering from Alzheimer or memory diseases,
so I started thinking and taking some notes, then I started writing
every day after everyone goes to sleep.
The lights are off at 11 pm so I borrow a chair from my friend Dr
Mohamed Hindawi and sit between the sleeping bodies in the
small space near the high window that leaks a small ray of light
52
from the outside, which has 2 neon lamps, then one of them went
down and I became totally unable to see.
My friend Sherif Farag helped me in a wonderful way, he
designed a candle for me, its wick is made from the orange peel
and light matches, and its light from the ugly tedious food oil that
the prison provides us with, and its container is the lower part of a
bottle of mineral water. He kept inventing and trying different
models till the trial succeeded, but some of the fellows were afraid
that the blankets might catch fire, and Dr Hindawi was doing great
efforts trying to install a lamp in the cell, till the prison after the
painstaking negotiations succeeded and it was installed on 20/2.
I stay up late ecstatically writing (usually from 11 pm to 3-4 am),
and at 8 am on 21/2 th_s ][ff_^ gs h[g_: “jl_j[l_ siol mno``; sio
qcff \_ nl[hmjiln_^ ni Bila Ef Al[\”.
Here I keep writing at night on the light of the bathroom lamp, the
ip_l]liq^cha cm gil_ nb[h nb[n ch H[^l[ [h^ I’g ch nb_ ihfs ]_ff
specified for the convicted in the ward, I’g nlscha ni [^[jn qcnb fc`_
without music, and enjoy every night after the good people sleep
and I go to my poor notebook, my pen and the devil! I finished
nearly ¾ the novel as a first draft since I started the first
paragraph on the night of 1/1/2014.
Who could have imagined that I am capable of writing with all
these cockroaches in the nearby (laughing face)
I’g b[jjs gs `lc_h^m.
Omar Hazek, Borg El Arab prison-26/2/2014
http://bit.ly/1isPoB8
53
March 4
Ahmed Gamal Zeyada
Thanks to everyone who
stood by me or tried but
]iof^h’n. I q[hn sio ni
know that there is
thousands of oppressed
detainees no one knows
about-students-doctors-
engineers-poor people
[h^ inb_lm. Dih’n
differentiate between an
oppressed and another
even if his way of
thinking is different from
ours. And I want to tell
all my friends; take care
of yourselves and
differentiate between: boldness, bravery and throwing oneself in
jeopardy. Keep yourselves safe because you will complete the
l_pifoncih. Dih’n fim_ bij_ `il nb_ m[e_ i` siol `lc_h^’m \fii^.
Abg_^ G[g[f Z_s[^[ “A\io Z[\[f jlcmih”
54
Mahmoud Taha
A student in the second year in law school, Ain Shams University. His friends: “he was coming back from his work in a tourism company on August 14 2013 when some thugs took all what he had and handed him over to El Nozha police station”. He
sent this message with his family on Tuesday march 4 on the occasion of 200 days in prison, and he asked us to publish it on facebook.
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
I have been waiting for a long time for people to read this message.
I decided to wait for a certain occasion and I think this is a
suitable one because of the passage of 200 days, 123 of which in
Abou Zabal prison in ward 1 where I witnessed all kinds of
oppression, humiliation and then I was transferred to the military
Abou Zabal prison.
I stayed 20 days then was transferred to Tura prison reception
where I stayed for 31 days to be able to take my exams despite this
I q[mh’n [ffiqed to take my exams in 2 subjects, one of them
because I had to go to court for the renewal of my imprisonment
and the other because the transferring car was 5 hours late so the
exams were over. I was staying with convicted criminals accused
by being drug dealers and thugs. These were very hard days, then I
went back to the military Abou Zabal prison and am still there and
God knows for how long.
55
Ahsq[s I ^ih’n q[hn ni n[fe [ fin \on I q[hn j_ijf_ ni ehiq _r[]nfs
nb_ ]b[la_m I’g \_cha []]om_^ i`: predetermined murder of 49
people, attempted murder of 20, causing deliberate injury, showing
off with power, violent threatening , disturbing the public opinion,
using force with police personnel, sabotaging public buildings,
creating chaos, terrifying people, crowding, imposing influence on
the authorities in their work and preventing workers from freedom
of work, crippling the public transportation on purpose, stealing
portables mentioned in the investigation (note: from these
portables: destroying and stealing Hyper market, joining one of
the groups aiming to call for preventing the sate organizations and
the public authorities from doing its work and violating the
personal freedom of the citizens and harming the national unity
and the social peace, and possessions of unlicensed firearms and
their supplies.
These charges are the general ones but the details are much more,
some of which that there is 52 reports for me and I was asked 64
questions in the investigation of the prosecution regarding the 11
charges.
I am not upset by all the above because I am convinced that God is
on my side but I am sad because in my first investigation, the
secretary of prosecutor described me as (slim) if so, how come I did
all these bad deeds. I was patient but after such descriptiih I ][h’n
stay silent anymore.
I know God will not waste my right. I just want people who are just
n[fecha [\ion gs ][m_ qcnbion ehiqf_^a_ ni oh^_lmn[h^ [h^ I’ff
wait for this post to be all over the facebook so that any reckless
ih_ `__fm qb[n I’g aicha through especially that my case is not
mentioned in the media and no one knows anything about despite I
have been in prison for more than 7 months.
I hope you do not forget me in your prayers
56
March 6
Sherif Farag
Assistant lecturer in faculty of arts in Alexandria University. He was arrested from his home on November 27 at 2 am. He defended his Master thesis while in prison and his family wasn’t allowed to attend. This is his message from Hadra prison in Alexandria
For everyone I have known in all my life and who were an
addition to g_. Fil [ff nbim_ I b[p_ ehiqh _p_h c` iol ^[sm ^c^h’n
allow us to meet. For my family, students, colleagues and friends, I
miss you very much.
I miss you as I miss normal life that God gave me as a human
being. Not the life that was imposed on us by semi-humans
deprived from humanity, sense, and reason. Just like this my 30th
\clnb^[s ][g_ qbcf_ I’g [q[s `lig gs `[gcfs, [q[s `lig gs fip_
and my friends.
Jomn fce_ nbcm nb_ ^[s i` ^_`_h^cha gs g[mn_l’m nb_mcm ][g_ qbcf_
I’g [ prisoner for no reason, mercy, or sense. It passes like this
and the ongoing question is till when?
Tb_ ][m_ cmh’n l_a[l^cha gs j_lmih il ch ^_jlcpcha gs \linb_l [h^
postponing his wedding, or in the moral and financial loss or in
depriving me from my humanity and depriving my body from the
sun or in a locked tear in the eyes of my mother and father, or all
what a human being needs and live to accomplish, but the case is
in the absent justice.
57
Jomn fce_ nbcm 100 ^[sm j[mm_^ [h^ ncff hiq I ^ih’n ehiq qbs I am
here? What does this obsolete country wants from me? What do
these retarded want?
100 days with no evidence that I killed 34 people or stole a bank or
nb_ ch]cn_g_hn il ecffcha il „ il qb[n ]ig_m qcnb nb_ 14 ]b[la_m
ch ih_ ][m_. I’g mi ^[ha_liom nb[n I have 2 cases with the same
charges but in 2 different days!! The day before my engagement
and the day after.
This is not crying laughter if compared with an accused sentenced
2 years in prison and a fine of 50000 pounds despite that he was
dead two years before his case came to court (a true story) or with
one who is sentenced 7 years for being accused of the possession
i` [ “][h i` P_jmc”!
I send you my words while I miss my true nature ventilating my
worry and pain and the shapeless and meaningless days. All I can
promise you is that I will keep trying to live hoping to meet you
and to stay the way you know me; victorious for the right and
defending what is consistent with my conscience and declaring my
resentment for the corrupt and who supports them.
Th_ jlcmih ^i_mh’n ecff sio. In cmh’n scary. The scary and deadly
thing is that declaring what you believe dies inside you. So you
[l_h’n cgjlcmih_^ \s nb_ _p[h_m]_hn q[ffm \on chmc^_ nb_ q[ffm i`
your perishing bodies. The first one you will come out form to life
with your humanity and dignity that you are proud of and the
second will take away your consciousness and humanity so that
nothing remains inside you except the lusts in bodies only aiming
to eat and drink.
Injustice is multiplied on doomsday and Gi^ ^i_mh’n fce_ nb_
oppressors
http://bit.ly/PLUbWe
58
March 14
Mohanad Ihab, high school student
A message from the juvenile penal institution in Kom El Deka in Alexandria
Dih’n f_n nb_g \l_[e
you.
Yesterday on Thursday
13-3-2014 I was beaten
and humiliated. Time
to sleep came but I
^c^h’n mf__j, nb_ jifc]_
officer came and
found me awake, he
grabbed me and told
me to stand outside, kept insulting me and cursing my family and
ginb_l qcnb ch^_]_hn qil^m nb[n [l_h’n ni \_ maid even to a
criminal.
Then he ordered me to sleep with my face down and my hands
behind my back. He made me crawl on my abdomen and kept
beating on my back and cursed my mother.
It is so humiliating to be in such situation, it is like wanting to set
fire in oneself.
But thank God for everything
“Dih’n nbche nb[n Gi^ ^i_mh’n ehiq qb[n nb_ ijjl_mmilm [l_
^icha”
Mohand Ihab Nakhla 14-3-2014
59
March 16
Ahmed Abdel Rahman
Detained from the demonstration of the Shura council, he was arrested when he saw men in civilian clothes attacking 2 female protestors and tried to defend them
Freedom for Alaa, Doma, Maher, Mohamed Adel and the 23 and
the rest of the detainees and revolutionists and all the detainees of
conscience, thought and freedom. For all the revolutionists in the
qilf^. Ool l_pifoncih qcff ]ihncho_ \s Gi^’m qcff.
16/3/2014
60
March 18
Ahmed Ayman, 20 years
Arrested on June 30 2013. He is detained in Tura prison. His charge is being a terrorist!
I ^ih’n ehiq qb[n ni n_ff sio [`n_l I eh_q qb[n sio [l_ ^icha `il
me; my tongue is incapable of thanking you because such words
[l_h’n _hioab. Flig gs jlcmih [h^ ^_mjcn_ [ff nb_ chdomnc]_ ch cn I
thank God for putting me in this place, maybe it is a chance that
God will forgive me for my bad deeds and maybe it was a chance to
know the most brave, pure and honest revolutionists and maybe to
know the value of my friends. If I still hold my head high in
^cahcns, cn cm \_][om_ i` sio [h^ \_][om_ I’g ih_ i` sio. Pf_[m_ I
^ih’n fce_ [hsih_ ni n_ff g_ nb[n nb_ l_pifoncih fimn il `[cf_^. W_
will remain despite the violence and oppression of the remnants of
the old regime, the military and the Muslim brotherhood. How can
[ l_pifoncih `[cf qb_h cn b[m `l__ b_li_m fce_ sio? Pf_[m_ ^ih’n fim_
hope. You are my only hope, Freedom is coming and the blood of
the martyrs will not go in vain. Failure means giving up and we
will not give up. We will win or die.
Ahmed Ayman, http://on.fb.me/1g2jb56
61
March 24
Sherif Farag
After the 10th extension to complete 150 days in detention!
Congratulations for the renewal men
Time: 23 March 2014
Repeated night scene, some time, maybe 9.30
Place: Hadra prison or let us call it Alexandria public prison
A small room- fixed artificial light all day, because the normal
^[sfcabn ^i_mh’n _hn_l nb_ liig _r]_jn p_ls `[chn fce_ [ \ody on its
death bed.
Characters: A person, whose look is supposed to reveal justice,
summons a group of creatures still alive, they hear their names
one after the other, and ready leave, contrary to the previous time
and the one before-maybe it will be different this time!
A group of guards, police officers and detectives are in their
reception after the doors are opened, one after the other.
Lawyers whose condition does not differ much from those they are
waiting for, except they are wearing elegant ties.
The incident: (smiley) what we all know.. the hero has a corrupt
conscience, surrounded by public anger, not a single document
ever mentioned that he ever attracted public applause.. does not
own his decision, nor his position. We know the director is also the
author, as well as the hidden man giving the orders, suits, glasses,
and hearts all covered in black.
Hadra prioson- 24 March 2014
62
March 26
Messages from Maadi police station
I qih’n n[fe [ fin fce_ _p_ls ncg_. Tb_ nbcha cm: Ib[\ B[^l cm [
“dangerous man”.
Today we were threatened by getting killed and kidnapping our
families during the visit times! In addition to that since the
morning we are sleeping in a cell 1 x 1 meter and after we slept
“ip_l _[]b inb_l” q_ q_l_ [q[e_h_^ \s q[n_l. Ah^ nben beating
by hands?? Ihab Badr threatened us with a razor and knives he
b[^! H_ \_[n “Kb[f_^ M_e^[^” [h^ chdol_^ bcm [lg! Ah^ qb_h
we talked with him, he told us to do whatever we can; no one can
do anything to me!! I will kidnap your families during the visits.
He swore that if anyone from us comes out from the 1 x 1 area, he
will be slaughtered and die!! And that no one from us will live with
him in the same custody!!
When we asked the officer to solve this problem for us and that we
want to officially report “^_[nb nbl_[n” \s “Ib[\ B[^l” b_ nif^ om
63
do whatever you want. The only thing I can do is a police report
\on I ][h’n a_n bcg ion.
Now the officer got us the 11 out and we stayed in a room 1.5 x 2.5
g_n_lm “mj[]_ `il qig_h ^_n_hncih”. N[tfc ][h n_ff sio [\out this
room, how it looks like and if it can fit for 11 people although he
could have taken the 4 or 5 who were making problems out
instead. There is no window, fan or bathroom. At least we are
political detainees and they are criminal convicts.
After all this!! By the way we are still threatened to be killed and
you outside are in danger of being kidnapped.
God be with us
*mother, father and Mohamed must know what is happening and
must tell anyone as fast as they can. We seriously are threatened to
get kcff_^!! Tbcm cm Ib[\’m n[fe bcgm_f`.
64
Messages form Maadi police station 1
For everyone outside and
all my friends doh’n ][ff
me on any of the numbers
that I have in custody
because we are fighting
for 2 days and it was
getting violent
approaching murdering
and threats by the
criminal inmates here that
they will stab us, till an
officer came 2 hours ago
and took us to the women
section because it was
empty.
It is very small 2 x 1.5
meters and the weather is very hot but it is ok, the important thing
is that we got rid of those dogs in custody.
The important thing is that no one calls me on these numbers
specially the girls because they threaten us that they will harm the
people outside. The dogs were detaining us with criminals??? And
the ministry of interior helped them and it is a way to disturb us so
there must be some effort on this subject from the people outside
and a statement with what is happening to us.
.
65
Messages form Maadi police station 2
Peace be upon you
To my father, Mohsen,
jf_[m_ ^ih’n ]ig_ il
bring any of my family
after this because we are
having big trouble with
the criminal convicts in
custody with us. There
was beating, insults and
people were injured.
Please suspend the
numbers that I have with
me and change them
because we are threatened
by being killed and our
family members
kidnapped so please take
care and do what I say.
I [g ie [h^ ][h ^_[f qcnb mo]b ^clns ]b[l[]n_lm. I q_l_h’n chdol_^
it is Kheled Mekdad who was injured in his arm but he is ok. We
are threatened specially Suez. No one come to visit me, day or
hcabn. Dih’n g[e_ g_ qills [\ion sio.
Please listen to me and do as I say exactly.
I forgot to tell you that the 11 of us are transferred to a separate
custody only for us. We are ok. We fear for you outside. Please do
as I say..
66
Mostafa Adel
One of the 68 convicts from the Azbakia detainees
I am ok thank God, and will be
ok if God is willing.
Dih’n \_ ojm_n il m[^. Dih’n
cry Wessam and tell mother
never to cry, I am convinced
that I did nothing wrong and
you are too. Victory is very
close and the revolution will
win if God is willing, all what
they are doing is weakness and
fear from us and I saw this
with my own eyes, and above
all God is much stronger than
them.
67
How are you all?
I wanted to tell you about
what is going on in the
Hadra prison in
Alexandria.
From the young people in
the case of Sidi Gaber, 2
were sentenced to death so
when they came to us we
started shouting and then
slept. The next day, one
hour after dawn, while we
were sleeping 100 people
entered and started waking
us by beating us with
batons and took us outside without even getting dressed and made
us stand in 2 lines. We were around 25.
Outside we found army and police forces with dogs and large
amounts of pepper spray that blinds the eyes and a large number
of detectives. They kept beating and electrocuting us and we were
also bitten by the dogs.
They then took several of us to the "discipline room", 12 were
transferred to Borg Al Arab prison, and three were taken to
hospital in a bad condition because of the beating
Tbcm b[jj_h_^ ch q[l^ “^” ]_ff “6” [h^ nb_ ih_ l_mjihmc\f_ cm nb_
warden and a state security officer called Mohamed Aly. Let
people know about the torture and humiliation that are happening
to us.
Hadra prison
68
Omar Gamal Metwaly Ibrahimm AL Sheweikh
Madinet Nasr 2 police station
They threw me from
the car inside the
walls of the police
station.
I was taken to the
second floor in the
office of the chief of
investigations.
There was repeated
sexual harassment.
They put their hands
and fingers in the
place of defecation.
69
March 28
Mahmoud Abdel Wahed
My dear son Albaraa
My beloved son, I know you will not be able to read my letters but I
know for sure that my feelings will reach your young 8 months old
heart.
More than half a year passed and you are away from me, the walls
of injustice and the prisons of freedom separate us!! I miss playing
with you; miss your smile and lovely expressions. I miss holding
you in my hands and hugging you close to my heart. I miss
noticing you as you grow up day after day. I miss looking at you as
you sleep and see hope in your face, get encouraged and see the
beauty of the future.
Ms \_fip_^ mih, ^ih’n \_ m[^, nb_ ^[qh i` `reedom is coming soon,
I’g mol_ i` cn [m I’g mol_ ch Gi^. I’ff jf[s qcnb sio [h^ bif^ sio
and we will have fun and enjoy life and you will sleep in my arms
in your room that I miss everything in it and imagine your moves
on its ground and how you touch its walls as I touch the walls of
my cell. I am here for the sake of your future and try hard to build
a better future for you, a future that we both will be proud of,
proud of our country and cherish our identity. I pray God to let me
pay the tax of freedom, dignity and progression for you. I am here
to plant for you and for your generation the tree of freedom so you
and your generation will be able to enjoy its fruits.
My beloved son and the light of my eyes, our separation will be a
curse on the oppressors that will follow them in their sleep and
lives till we meet the fair judge who never waste our rights.
Your father Mahmoud Abdel Wahed
Hadra prison- cell 2/5
70
March 23
Ahmed Osama
Student in faculty of engineering, Ein Shams University, after 50 days in prison (Azbakeia detainees)
I am not the one to advice, I know
myself but I tell you: the love in my
b_[ln `il j_ijf_ I ^ih’n ehiq
personally is increasing. I want
them to continue demanding
freedom and I respect them more
since the day I was arrested with
them in Abou Zabal prison.
I tell anyone who is not sharing our
struggle for freedom: rise up, the
bottom is full.
On the occasion of 50 days in prison and after we were sentenced
to 2 years and 2 years surveillance, I will tell you some of the
details about life in prison. Starting from our trials to cope with the
dirty toilet, to the crowding in one cell and our problems with the
undrinkable water. I will tell you the story of the sergeant who
asked us to give him water to drink and when we gave him tap
q[n_l b_ m[c^ “hi ^i sio q[hn ni ecff g_, I q[hn gch_l[f q[n_l”;
[h^ nb_ mnils i` nb_ ^i]nil qbi nif^ ih_ i` bcm j[nc_hnm “^ih’n
^lche `lig nb_ n[j q[n_l \_][om_ cn qcff g[e_ sio mc]e”. W_ q[mb
the toilet with dettol everyday and negotiate for our right to have
blankets. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail.
We make chess pieces from soap and I will not forget the
happiness one of our colleagues felt after having a boiler.
We are now in the luxurious cell. The only thing left is that we
forgot what hot meals were like!!
71
We get all the solidarity letters. Articles by Dr Rabab EL Mahdi or
Mostafa El Naggar or Dr Ahdaf Sweif and others.
I remember how I was down after being sentenced till I read Dr
R[\[\ Ef M[b^c’m [lnc]f_. Ah^ I nb[he _p_ls ih_ i` sio ]ih]_lh_^
with our case.
Our stories are very strange. There is the engineer Ez who works
in Egyptair and travelled everywhere in the world and finished
serving for 3 years in the army.
Half the detainees are students. Medical and engineering students
and a student in the French university.
We hear a lot of news about amnesty being granted but nothing
happens!
Pray for us as we go to the court of appeal. We have hope in God
and in you.
We only dreamt of a life worth living!
http://on.fb.me/1rk8zjV
72
March 24
Yaseen Sabri, Abou Zabal prison
After spending 67 days in this
]iohnls’m jlcmihm sio qcff \_
convinced that there is no
judiciary, law, justice, freedom,
human rights or anything related
to humanity.
Ih nbcm ]iohnls’m jlcmihm sio qcff
know that law is only used to
violate anyone opposing their
opinion. You will see young people
getting in prison for over 100 days without being seen by a judge
or even being able to see their lawyers. You will see the prosecutor
every time and he will tell you confidently that you are not guilty
and that he knows that your were randomly arrested but what can
he do??
In these prisons you get to see young people getting stripped from
their clothes and flogged on their backs by belts. Young people
being electrocuted to admit possession of so and so.. In these
prisons 25 years old police officer puts food in front of young
j_ijf_ qbi b[p_h’n _[n_h `il 12 biolm [h^ n_ff nb_g “q_ b[p_
\__h ^icha \[^ mno``, f_n om ^i mig_ aii^ ^__^m” nb_h [m miih [m
nb_s mn[ln _[ncha b_ m]l_[gm “mnij, _hioab qcnb nb_ aii^ ^__^m”!
In these prisons if you sing you will see detectives cursing and
swearing to stop you. You will see all kinds of ideas and directions:
you will see the revolutionist, islamist, jihadi, and you will see
young people with no affiliation. And finally you will see in these
prisons young people burning the flag of Egypt or cursing when
they see it in the newspaper. How can they love this flag or this
country which is controlled by generals and businessmen who
73
robbed everything in it even freedom, dignity and love for this
country? They used oppression and defeat as their dogma.
This country wants to silence everyone who utter words like
(justice..freedom) but the revolution will not stop till its light
prevails even if the generals hate this. The revolution continues.
http://on.fb.me/1lfUJRe
74
March 26
Fady Al Ereny
16 years old. He was arrested on December 27 in front of his friend’s house. He is being kept in Kom El Deka. His charge is “crowding and protesting without permission and showing of strength”.
After 95 days in detention
and with the trial
approaching in April 2 I
would like to tell the youth
of the revolution that I am
determined and steady and
^c^h’n acp_ oj il fim_ bije
one day and my ideas are
not scattered from the
oppression of the ministry
of interior or the injustice
of the regime and I am asking you to hold on and not to lose hope
because the victory of the revolution is close. Continue our
revolution for the sake of the martyrs, the injured and our great
country. The revolution continues. Down everyone who betrays.
#despair_is_treason
#we_will_continue
#glory_to_the_matryrs
Fady Al Ereny
75
76
24 March
Detainee at Azouli military prison, Ismailia
-Torture is done by suspension on doors, pouring of boiling water
and boiling oil, electricity. Some of the detainees are bound by
their feet and hands throughout the day in solitary cells for
months.
-In Azouli prison there are hundreds of detainees who have
committed no crime. Several of young detainees were killed under
torture.
-There is a mute detainee with half of his body paralyzed
-Another detainee, Ayoub, 12 years old, is accrued of bombing a
tank and they killed his father in Sinai
-Omar is a 16 years old detainee
-The toilet is allowed one once before dawn and every 3 persons
have 5 minutes only and the beating continues on the way to the
toilet
-Food is very little and not enough (bread and macaroni)
-There is no light in the cells, so from before sunset until after
dawn one is in complete darkness
-Some young people are held in Azouli although their case has
been referred to court
-For interrogation people are taken from the prison to another
building in the same camp (Elgalaa camp). Their hands are tied
behind their backs, they are blindfolded and in the interrogation
building begins another journey of torture, suspension, boiling
water, boiling oil. In some cases wives were brought in and
suspended from doors to force the men to confess to what the
interrogators wanted.
77
-Ih Atiofc jlcmih nb_l_ cm [ qig_h’m m_]ncih. Yio []no[ffs b_[l
their screaming during interrogation.
http://on.fb.me/1htLZEE
78
Adel El Saghir
In those hard times and the
repeated crises it hurts me to
be away from the freedom
fighters when they are
receiving one treacherous
blow after another. It is
difficult to to be with you in
joy and in sorrow, but god
has thus ordained.
A while ago I received a
message from a friend, where
he said he is sad and feels
pity for the state I am in and
advised me, when I am
released, to take care of my
life. His words: "wake up and enough the time you have lost. We
shall not change the universe"
I thought about this piece of advice from a dear friend and I really
don't know how he calculates the days that are wasted and those
that are not. I wish to tell you my friend, that the wasted lost days
are those that we spend without struggling, without fighting for a
target and a project.
The wasted days are all the times we saw injustice and did not
rebel; all the times we let the oppressors oppress the country
without expressing anger. We left those who steal the country
waste the nation and was shared with them in the biggest crime
against the nation, when we let them manipulate the minds of
people while we focused on trivial battles. The new occupation is
all over the country and we claim freedom. What value is life, my
dear friend, in an injured homeland and a broken, humiliated
nation!
79
My dear friend, all the days of my life were lost and wasted and I
know no other value for the days of my life except those days
where I am detained for a cause. The detention does not triumph
over us except by controlling our bodies. But our ideas and spirits
are free. There is no way to put them in prison. How many freed
bodies carry an enslaved mind, a broken spirit and a defeated
heart.
Beware, free people, of the wasted days. Live your lives full of
struggle, for a cause and remember that the life of the free is full
of glory.
The life of the free: revolutionary, injured, detained, martyr
Your brother, Adel El Saghir
March 2014
80
31 March
Abdelmoneim Bahaa El Din Gomaa
Detained in Azouli prison
(this message was sent during the renewal session of his and his brother's detention, where he described the details of his arrest and his torture in Azouli prison in Ismailia.)
I was kidnapped from home on the 23rd of January and held at
Azouli camp for 27 days during which I was tortured with
electricity, beating and flogging with an iron chain.
In Azouli prison those kidnapped are suspended for continuous
days and nights without food or drink. If one of us screams of
thirst he hears the voice of her torturer saying open your mouth so
that you may drink; and when the victim opens his mouth an
electric wire is inserted in his mouth instead of water.
http://bit.ly/1swnVoY
81
Menatallah Mostafa - El Masoura
Detained since 12th November with Abrar El Anani and Yusra el Khatib
Detention is not easy at all. I used to wish and pray to be detained,
but when it happened, although I am meditating with God, but you
are doing nothing, and there is nothing in your power to serve
your cause. It is true we send out messages to people but there is
nothing more beautiful nor precious than freedom.
82
2 April
Ahmed Douma writes from prison: between the doctor and the prison guard ( Two years for demonstration without permit)
(1) The doctor finished
my examination in the
prison hospital. He read
my medical record and
them began writing a
prescription and draw a
diet that is appropriate to
my condition and the
diseases of my digestive
system which have reached a most terrible state. He told me not to
eat or drink almost anything that I know and like) of course stop
immediately any smoking or tea, the two bad habits which I love
most.
You never appreciate the value of things in your life, especially
those you love, until you lose them!!
(2) The prosecutor concluded his hearing with the most famous
ko_mncih “[hsnbcha _fm_ sio q[hn ni m[s?” Aonig[nc][ffs I
[hmq_l_^ “hi”. Tb_h b_ qlin_ ^iqh bcm decision which entailed
that I can no longer work, move or travel, or protest, nor even
watch movies or the programs I like; I would not see Nurhan
except once every 15 days; my mother, father, brothers and few
friends I have not seen them in three months; my longing for small
things has become extremely painful, to smoke a cigarette on your
balcony, to walk in the streets of downtown at night, to sit with
your friends on a café, to eat your favorite ice cream while
reading, to be next to a friend who needs you, even to receive
condolences for a friend who died.
83
Oh_ ^i_m hin l_[fct_ nb_ p[fo_ i` nbcham ch ih_’m fc`_ – especially
those you love most, even if trivial – except after you lose them.
(3) We ended our meeting in February 2013 after we discussed the
different scenarios of dissent against the brotherhood and the
iomncha i` Milmc. W_ n[fe_^ [\ion nb_ ch_pcn[\cfcns i` “gcfcn[ls
[onbilcns” qbc]b h_p_l f_`n [hsq[s, [a[chmn iol qcff. W_ jim_^
questions such as: how shall we deal with them? We differed in
opinion. But the outcome was that we knew more than a year ago
that there is no way around the military, and that we, the
revolution, do not have the cards of the game that enable us to
change this disastrous fate or impose our conditions or even seize
rights that can accomplish even a partial victory.
(4) I lit a cigarette now. I am not used to writing without smoking.
May the doctor and Norhan forgive me.
(5) Didn't I know before more than 4 years ago that "eating on the
street" without fixed times, smoking, tea and stress will result in
what I am now? I did. The doctor told me but I chose not to listen.
Not out of stubbornness, but because I had to. The choice was not
between health and sickness, but between doing what you want
and feel the pain in your body or abstain and feel the pain in your
soul. Didn't I know, also, since the first time that I walked in a
demonstration 9 years ago that I shall return injured, insulted or
detained, or maybe not return at all? I did but the choice was not
between rest and exhaustion, but between a superficial rest and
false sense of freedom, while your soul is tied by oppression or
silence and sometimes carelessness, between doing what you
believe or saying what you believe to be really free even if your
body is imprisoned, to be really healthy even if you are injured, to
be really proud no matter how much you were beaten, insulted and
humiliated!!
(6) The stomach pains are not because of what you eat, but
because of what is eating you up
84
(7) Nor was the choice ever between a civil elected authority and
another military non elected one.. it was not between continued
oppression and revolting against that oppression.. it was between
those who will kill you because you are an atheist and those who
will kill you because you are a terrorist.. we had to get rid of the
immediate danger represented by the former.. but we were not a
position to chose.. all we knew was that the struggle against the
latter was definitely coming!!
(8) I am not the one who made the bad choice - in the three
situations - because I am not the one who put those choices.. they
were imposed on us as people and as a a generation.. the choice
between two ugly, murderous options. Our continuous efforts to
create a third option was our choice, even if we had failed!!
(9) Don't you think I shall be very happy to protect my health
without depriving me of enjoying life!?
(10) How I miss a sandwich of beans with pickled aubergine from
the bean cart in our street on my way to work in the morning. But
the orders of the doctor and the prison guard dictate else wise!!
Political activist, poet and member of Egypt's writers' union
85
3 April
The pillow
Time must stop, the earth must stop turning, and you must focus
your eyes and hearts to this important date in my life here in
Hadra prison. At about 2 pm today I have become owner of a
pillow of fiber, where I can dip my head heavy with thought and
dreams.
I know that among you now some may be surprised and may take
the decision to move on to another page or listen to music, but to
those who have arrived here and who are still determined to reach
the end like any great person in their world struggling to the end, I
shall tell you my story with the pillow.
Because I am a naïve person to a great extend and have never
expected that state tanks and central security camps and police
trucks would occupy our small home, two rooms and a reception.
It seemed that some inspection planes were flying through the sky
of our home, but the darkness of the last hours before dawn
prevented me from seeing them. Anyway, because I did not take my
precautions for this barbaric attack I crossed the steps of my home
with this great army wearing a GAP t-shirt and was taken to
Alexandria security directorate. The state security officer said it
would be only half an hour. They threw us in a cell for 4 days and
in my trembling hands I held my pillow. It was bitter November
cold.
On the 28th of the same month an officer came at about 9 am – of
course we were asleep – woke us up and took us to the transfer
truck. I was heavily slapped on the face, leaving long red marks.
My pillow began a new journey in Hadra prison. We were lucky to
have woolen covers before our transfer to the directorate. This
rough thorny cover served as a cover and a pillow at the same
time. Here we began to learn that the officer is the source of life:
86
he can give or can take away, tempt or withhold, carrying life or
death, depending on his whims. From my pillow and my bed I
moved to an ice cold stone floor which makes the cold seem more
biting and cruel.
With time and through the visits we began to have covers,
underwear, soap and a sponge. I mentioned only underwear
\_][om_ sio ^ih’n h__^ inb_l ]finb_m. Ih jlcmih sio learn to focus
on the essentials. With those simple accessories you can make a
nice, softer pillow. A trouser leg or a t-shirt stuffed with the other
clothes is nice and sufficient. The most important thing is that they
be clean or else you will not tolerate the smell of your own sweat.
Dih’n \_ ^cmaomn_^. Tbcm cm mcgjf_ [h^ hc]_ c` ]igj[l_^ ni nb_
smell of the toilets. Your daily use of clothes makes your pillow
eventually thinner and here you have to use a towel for example or
double the twist in the blanket.
M[hs qiof^ qih^_l, qbs [ff nbcm mo``_lcha, qbs ^c^h’n sio \lcha
your fiber pillow with you?
It seems a logical question; but to own a pillow in prison is
something akin to a dream.. until two weeks ago when the prison
administration decided to introduce the luxuries of life gradually
so that we do not feel overwhelmed.
Sherief Farag – Alhadra prison
87
From children detained from Kom El Dekka events
Yes to hunger.. no to submission
The MOI does not keep its word
They went there safe and healthy
and came back ill, either
physically or psychologically or
both. All promises indicated that
our colleagues held at the
penitentiary will return in the
first transfer. On the 13th day of
the hunger strike the first
transfer came with only 26
children, leaving 10 behind
claiming that their court session was too long.
Why do they leave them in this torment if they could transfer them
to any detention place in Alexandria.
Accordingly we declare that we are on a hunger strike until death
or the realization of our demands. Our demands are the following:
1- The return of all political detainees from the penitentiary
2- Cancellation of all transfers to the penitentiary
3- Our release
We wish to announce more than 20 cases of fainting among us, 5
cases in real danger. There is also a suspicious silence concerning
the children being moved to the hospital. That is why we appeal to
all who claim belief in human rights, to all who claim children's
rights locally and internationally and to all merciful hearts.. save
the rest of our colleagues. They neither eat nor sleep and it is not
an exaggeration if we say they are not really alive. Whoever is not
physically ill is psychologically ill.
88
We are tired of all the failing attempts to end our strike. The
security chief of Alexandria "Mostafa Elqadi" promised us that we
shall spend the period of pretrial detention in Alexandria, and that
our colleagues in the juvenile penitentiary will return in the first
transfer. The same promise was made by the human rights
committee and the director of the juvenile center seconded the
promise.
Save them before it is too late. Save the children of Egypt.
89
10 April (date of publishing)
Mahmud Abu Zeid
On the 14th of August, the day of
dispersion of the sit-ch i` Milmc’m
supporters, the ministry of interior
through its facebook page called
upon journalists to be present
during the dispersion and to work
objectively and transfer a true
picture of its work.
And that is what I did. I went to
R[\[’[ ni ^i gs di\ [m [
photojournalist. During the early hours of the day I was arrested.
My equipment was taken. I was beaten and verbally abused and
put in prison since then as well as charged as one of the
demonstrators of killing, illegal gathering and membership of the
Muslim Brotherhood, although I do not belong to any political
faction.
I was doing my job as a correspondent for press agencies together
with two colleagues, a photographer and a reporter. We were all
arrested at the same time and taken to the Cairo stadium.
After about two or three hours my colleagues were released (one
French, the other American) while I remained facing charges of
having committed crimes.
8 months have passed. About 500 detainees have been released and
I am still detained despite the fact that I am a journalist, have no
political affiliation, did not participate in the sit-in or any political
events. Only a photojournalist.
I work as an independent photojournalist since 2010 and was
trained in Al-Ahram newspaper for 6 months. I am also a recent
graduate of Akhbar El Youm Academy, Department of
90
Journalism. I work hard to develop myself as an Egyptian young
man who struggles to safely settle down.
I am now in prison and after a few days I would have completed 8
months, unjustly. I do not know why I am here. Why am I being
held in this cell for so long
I have been kidnapped. I left my house where I live with my elderly
parents to go my job and I could not return.
For 8 months I have been trying to prove that I am a journalist. I
have submitted all the necessary documents to the concerned
authorities, to no avail.
I appeal to your humanity and justice that I be release from prison
and to return to my father and mother, family, work and career,
praying to God for forgiveness and justice.
For 8 months I have been suffering and my family has been
suffering and we do not know why. Has a journalist become a
]lcgch[f, [ gol^_l_l, [ m[\in_ol; cmh’n [ diolh[fcmn [ l_`f_]nion of
society, its servant and defender?
For the sake of the freedom of the press mentioned in our
constitution, I appeal to the implementation of this constitution in
real life. http://www.yanair.net/archives/37551
91
Message from Abu Zaabal prison
While this letter is
being written chants
against the military are
shaking the walls of
Abu Zaabal prison
during the power cuts.
The detainees have not
yet forgotten Sheikh
Emad Effat and Mina
Danial. They have not
forgotten the slogans of
nb_ l_pifoncih: “Bl_[^,
Freedom, Social
Jomnc]_”, hil nb_
chants against the
military as the
successive authorities
wish. They thought that
the killing and the
oppression will make
the free forget their cause. On the contrary. It makes us more
devoted to our cause. We did not achieve major or amazing
successes on the path of the revolution. We know that. We know
we did nothing but chant. But that is enough. It is enough to give
them a headache. This is our job. To make life difficult for them.
To abort any project that leads the country away from bread,
freedom and social justice.
“W_ [l_ nb_ pic]_ qb_h nb_s q[hn mcf_h]_. “
92
16 April
Statement by Alazhar students detained in Abu Zaabal 2 prison
In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate,
When we were young we learned in our schools that the secret
behind the advancement of nations is education. History does not
mention a national that advanced without education.
The current random arrests of university students, seekers of
education, takes place at a time when this country is in most need
of its youth and students.
93
What happens after arrest is clear and known to all, Students are
tortured and humiliated in police stations as if they were the enemy
that threatens the country. Alazhar students were repeatedly told,
even by the prosecution in court, that we are traitors of the
country. This case no. 6959 concluded with a three years prison
sentence and 10 thousand Egyptian pounds fine. Three years were
given in case no. 6970 and 5 years and a 100 thousand pound fine
in case 7332, all in one session. Those sentences come after a long
time present by the students in pretrial detention, during which no
evidence was found against us.
It is therefore that we students of Al Azhar held in Abu Zaabal
prison announce the beginning of an open hunger strike until the
following demands are fulfilled:
1- Rapid release of all detained students, both sentenced and
in pretrial detention
2- Non-attendance at the police academy used for our trials
94
18 April
Mohamed Fawzi, Faculty of pharmaceuticals, Mansoura
(1)
“Shut up you people, we want to
sleep..it seems those electric shocks
b[p_ m]il]b_^ siol \l[chm” mo]b
spoke one of the cellmates to others
who were laughing at the time for
sleep
“Ah^ nb_s qih^_l qb_l_ nb_
electricity problems are coming
`lig!!In’m ihfs h[nol[f. I` [ff
electricity is channeled to state
m_]olcns ni om_ ih ^_n[ch__m”„ [h^ nb_h nb_ qbif_ ]_ff \l_[em chni
laughter.
I ^ih’n nbche nb_ jl_m_hn ^c]n[nil b[m [h c^_[ qb[n b_ is doing. I
^ih’n nbche b_ l_[fct_m nb[n bcm n_llc\f_ _f_]nlc]cns b[m \_]ig_ [
die_ nb[n g[e_m om f[oab. I ^ih’n nbche b_ l_[fizes that the walls
surrounding us have become retreats for mediation, reading and
reflection. I don't think he realizes that a generation is growing
and a whole community is bonding and integrating inside
detention places, a community whose memory has been engraved
with memories that remind us every morning with the real reason
why we are on this earth: to fight every injustice.
(2)
A fight against every oppressor even if only by a simple message
that documents and uncovers the trugh like the one I am trying to
write now: a message I hesitated to write for two reasons:
First, because I do not want to expose my pain on paper to invite
fake solidarity or compassion with the cause, for which I was
95
pained. Our cause, with or without me, will God willing be
victorious. Besides, faith is not born like this. But I made up my
mind and am writing for a single reason: my belief that for
everything God has a reason and that God put me here to write
truly about what I have seen. That is why I am writing and shall
write more.
(3)
- C[h sio m__ [hsnbcha fce_ nbcm „. H_ [sked after putting the
blindfold on my face
-No
- then come with me you son of a b***.. you will see now.. you will
see death you *****he screamed and violently pushed me
I didn't see death. I saw the truth I was seeking.. the truth of the
blindfold, the h[h^]o``, nb_ _f_]nlc]cns „ [h^ nb_ nlcogjb
The blindfold
I remained blindfolded for a whole week. Elpasha was terrified
that I might recognize anything about his identity or the place
where they kidnapped me from. The strong Pasha in a God like
manner tells me that he is omnipotent, and yet he is scared, like
any tyrant, that the people know anything. The blindfold is a must
to cover, to hide, to misguide
The handcuff
“Yiol b[h^ \_bch^ siol \[]e sio \[mn[l^m.. b[h^]o`` nb_g [ff
\_bch^ nb_cl \[]em j[mb[”
The armed Pasha is leading a brigade of armed men inside a
building guarded by tanks. Of course he is not afraid we might
escape. That is not why he is handcuffing us. What he really wants
to ensure that no moment should pass without us feeling
continuous pain; slapping, kicking and beating with sticks is not
96
enough; sleep and food deprivation for days is not enough. Even
in those short breaks from beating – probably because they are
exhausted – they pour cold water on our bodies that become as
cold as the dirty tiles on which they throw us.
Electricity
-Your name?
-Mib„
-No, your name is Laila, Laila you son of a b****. He cut me short
with punches that made me drop to the ground where he attacked
me with an electric shock to my neck, before standing with his
\iinm„ ih gs `[]_.
I heard many torture stories. All of them begin with a humiliating
violent aggression. All tyrants have the same policy. Since the first
moment they drown you in a dirty, ugly pile of torture until you
lose your breath and your utmost wish becomes to experience a
single minute without pain.
Exactly what happens to the youth outside. Excessive repression,
wide random arrests, expulsion of students, breaking into homes
and their destruction. The same instruments, the electric taser, the
handcuffs, all are tools used by tyrants to convert revolutionaries
into a bunch of desperate young people, whose utmost hope
becomes a demonstration without injuries or a release of a friend
long detained. Always the same tools. But they never work.
(4)
Since my detention I have no full piture of what is happening
outside. But the politics and the whole situation inside prison is
just as they are outside,, as I have tried to explain. That is why I
wish to say
Here behind those walls I did not find angels, or fighters with
extraordinary powers. I saw normal human beings, with mistakes
97
and problems like all of us, some have small dreams, some have
big dreams. But they are steadfast, confident, determined. You feel
that when they shake hands, when they sing at night, even when
they are silent or meditating. Their faith in their victory is
doubtless.
http://on.fb.me/1iRk9Ow
98
24 April
Mohamed Moussa from Abu Zaabal prison
Egypt and the trial
The court ruled 136 years in prison for Egypt. We are 68 people
among us doctors, engineers, teachers and students and people
from all walks of life. That is why I say the judge has ruled not
against us but against the whole of Egypt.
If we receive this sentence, then, yes, the country is lost. For who
will rescue the country from the decadence and the destruction
other than the youth in prisons. The judgment is a judgment
against Egypt.
Be proud then, leaders of the country, be proud for having
sente4ced innocent youth. You have sentenced Egypt to prison.
We are grateful to all who support us and make our voices heard,
Ms. Yasmin Hossam and Ms. Ahdaf Soueif and all who stand by
us for the sake of Egypt.
http://www.yanair.net/archives/44050#
99
2 May
Mohamed Fahmy
I am writing this letter on the
international day of freedom of
nb_ jl_mm. I’g qlcncha `lig gs
cell after 128 days of detention,
for no other reason than doing
my job which I like. This
experience will change my life,
will inspire me and is as
valuable as the past 15 years
which I spent covering revolutions and standing on the front lines
in wars in the Middle East and North Africa.
When the reporter becomes the news instead of covering it, one
wonders about the reason and those responsible for detaining you
behind bars in the terrorism section of the prison to prevent us
from doing our journalists job, me and my colleagues, accusing us
of being a danger to national security and that we belong to a
terrorist organization. The charges are a slap to our face and the
face of democracy, endorsed by the new constitution.
It is very unusual for a man like me to feel short of words. I got the
news about this award on my birthday last week during the visit by
my brother in prison. It did not only bring me great joy but also
lifted the morale of my two work colleagues sharing my cell. I first
wish to thank all who stood by me and my family during those
difficult times. A few weeks ago I was in my cell reading in the
news about the coming visit of foreign minster Braid to Egypt . I
wondered whether he would remember me in the midst of his busy
schedule and meetings with the Egyptian government. A few days
later I smiled when I read he spoke with the Egyptian foreign
minister about my release. To detain a journalist and to try to
silence his case is not just an insult to the Egyptian constitution,
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which I supported, but also an attach against the national and
international press community.
The award on the international day for press of the freedom came
at a time when all I think about is the number of local journalists
who are currently in detention. Our main argument in court will
be to persuade the judge of the role of our profession. We are
reporters seeking the truth. We are neither agents nor terrorists.
This award will prove our point.
I will proudly accept this certificate from the UNESCO Canadian
committee. But I hope that the committee will permit me to donate
the financial part of this award to the deceased journalists Mayada
Ashraf, a young Egyptian journalist who lost her life covering
clashes between security forces and protest demonstrations last
month. I do not know her personally but I read the details of her
martyrdom. I do not know who shot her in the head, but I know
the dangers facing coverage of streets in Egypt. I hope that her
family would accept my gift as a token for my appreciation for her.
I hope they know that her death will be mentioned in history and
the record of freedom of the press. As an Egyptian Canadian with
a presence on both sides I shall build on the values I learnt from
both. How I wished to be there in person to receive the award, to
stand in front of you and address you in Ottawa.
I finally wish to stress my love for my beloved home country Egypt
where I spent the most beautiful years of my life. As a patriot I
adore the soil of this country and my participation in the 25th
January and 30th
of June revolutions was evidence of my love for
this country, where I never thought I would be tried as a terrorist
for working as a journalist, the profession I cherish and for which
I have worked for more than 15 years. From my cell I appeal to all
supporters to freedom of the press not to hold Egypt, my beloved
country, accountable for the mistake of our detention. I also wish
to thank my fellow journalists for their support. Our spirits are
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high when we receive the news about solidarity marches and the
twitter hashtags which attract thousands of people calling for our
release. It is then that our hope increases.
In the loneliness of my cell I remembered the creative reporters I
met in the square, reporters such as Anthony Shedid and Mary
Colvin who lost their lives in the Arab Spring for the sake of the
profession. God bless their souls.
I respect the judge in charge of our case and I think he recognizes
the creativity of the profession of journalists. I am sure he did not
know that the date set for my trial coincides with the day of the
freedom of the press. I plan to tell him in court and to ask him to
release us as I do in every session. I thank every individual who
demands the release of a journalist on the job. We shall remain
free behind bars, because journalism is not terrorism.
http://on.fb.me/ReRAo4
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Mohamed Sherief
After a few days I shall be sentenced by a
judge who is supposed to rule justice and
enforce justice. But God knows what fate
has in store for me???
I shall share my experience with you and
tell you about how it feels to be in prison..
During the first days you almost
completely focus on the memories of your arrest and the days
before that. The question is: How long will I stay here?
After about 20 days you feel frustrated and down and an
overwhelming desire to get out and revenge in every way possible!!
After 45 days you gradually lose hope that you will get out and
your feel really drained of thinking of the suffering of your family
and friends, and the importance of this detention and whether it
will really change something and make people speak out!!
Dear former prisoner who has not spent 60 days in prison.. dear
revolutionary who did not get arrested – hope nobody does – I
want to tell you that after 60 days you become indifferent towards
almost everything. You think about nothing other than how you
will spend the day? What you will eat today? And who has visits so
that you can send letters with him!
After 90 days you feel a great psychological calm. It is no longer
important that you get out because you have become an old
prisoner (i.e. you have experience). What can they do to you more
than they already did? Will they hang you?? Imagine if your ward
is opposite the execution room.
Nobody can do anything to us: that was my feeling most of the
time since I got arrested. But prison has taught me that I must
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continue when I am released. Nothing will silence the voice of
truth except death.
Dih’n a_n mbi]e_^. I [g jl_j[lcha gsm_f` `il [ m_hn_h]_ i` hi f_mm
than two years, i.e. 18 months. I have already spent 3, so 15 are
remaining. Then I will be out and we’ff ]b[ha_ nb_ l_acg_.
The revolution continues
Mohamed Sherief
Ward 5; cell 4 theft; Wady El Natroun prison
(Arrested on the 25th
of January 2014. More than 100 days in
prison)
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El Nadim Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of violence
3 A Soliman El Halabi street, From Ramsis street - Cairo
Email: [email protected]
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