Egypt extends detention for cartoonist Ashraf Omar
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The Egyptian state security prosecutor extended the detention of cartoonist Ashraf Omar for another 15 days. Ashraf was taken from his home in a midnight raid on July 22. His detention has been extended once before. He has been charged with “being involved in a terrorist group, disseminating false news and misusing social media tools.”
The extension is a disappointment ofr Ashraf’s wife, Nada Mougheeth, who reported that she had sensed “good signs.”
“He seemed fine and said he was well-treated, spending his time teaching his cellmates English. He was allowed to exercise in the open air for a while every day…even the prison guards were nice to me and treated me with some respect,” she added that day.
Freedom of expression has been deteriorating in Egypt since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took power in 2013.
Ashraf’s arrest has set off an international protest. Cartooning for Peace, Cartoonists Rights Network, Artist at Risk. A number of UK cartoonists are demanding his release.
You can read background information about Ashraf’s arrest in TDC’s previous story.
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