Egypt: fears that leading opposition figure has been 'disappeared' after raid on home

Mohamed al-Kassas hasn’t been seen since security forces raided his home last night

‘We are deeply concerned that Mohamed al-Kassas might have been forcibly disappeared and subjected to torture’ - Najia Bounaim

Responding to last night’s raid by security forces at the house of Mohamed al-Kassas - deputy head of Egyptian opposition party Misr al-Qawia - and the lack of information about his current whereabouts, Amnesty International’s North Africa Campaigns Director, Najia Bounaim, said:

“Given the track record of the Egyptian authorities and their continued use of enforced disappearances to stifle dissent, we are deeply concerned that Mohamed al-Kassas might have been forcibly disappeared and subjected to torture. 

“The authorities must disclose any information they have about the whereabouts of Mohamed al-Kassas and release him immediately if he is in state custody.

“This enforced disappearance of a senior member from a prominent opposition party is a brazen attack on the rights to freedom of expression and association in Egypt. 

“Enforced disappearance has become a routine practice by the al-Sisi administration to silence activists and opposition groups.”

Third disappearance this week

This is the third enforced disappearance in Egypt confirmed by Amnesty this week. On Monday, journalist Mustafa al-Assar and his roommate - activist Hassan al-Banna Mubarak - were last seen on their way to work in Giza. Their current fate and whereabouts remains unknown.  A month ago, the National Security Agency of the Ministry of Interior summoned al-Assar’s brother and questioned him about his whereabouts and activities.

Despite numerous complaints by family members and lawyers, the Egyptian authorities have refused to reveal the whereabouts of those disappeared.  

In January, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Sami Anan, was arrested after declaring his intentions to run in the upcoming presidential election.