Egyptian detainees call for legal review and release before new criminal procedure code takes effect

Verified facts: The Families of Egyptian Detainees Association (FEDA) says it received a new appeal from pretrial detainees held in Egyptian prisons. The appeal is addressed to Egyptian leaders and public figures, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, religious scholars, civil society and professional organisations, human rights groups, legal professionals, members of the judiciary, university faculty and the Egyptian public.

The detainees call for an end to what they describe as the wasting of their lives and potential, the application of genuine justice, an end to political division and retaliation against opponents, and the preservation of the state and its national institutions. Their specific demands include creating a judicial fact-finding committee to review cases brought by the Supreme State Security Prosecution that rely solely on investigation reports without corroborating evidence, material exhibits or facts warranting prosecution.

The appeal also calls for suspending the work of two State Security Criminal Chambers that, according to the detainees, have issued thousands of pretrial detention orders without sufficient legal grounds. The detainees allege that these chambers relied on police investigation reports, failed to hear legal arguments and defence witnesses, and did not implement mandatory release orders. They further point to what they describe as weak evidence and an absence of concrete facts, confessions or material exhibits.

The appeal demands the immediate release of detainees who have exceeded the maximum period permitted by law, the use of legally provided alternatives to pretrial detention, and guarantees against repeatedly charging released defendants in new cases. It also calls for reconciliation and impartial, comprehensive justice so that detainees can spend the remainder of their lives with their families.

Interpretation: The timing of the appeal—days before the new Code of Criminal Procedure is due to come into force in early October 2026—suggests that the detainees and FEDA view the legislation as a potential avenue for addressing prolonged pretrial detention. The supplied report does not establish whether the requested judicial or institutional measures will be adopted.

Uncertainty: The allegations concerning the State Security Criminal Chambers, evidentiary weaknesses, and repeated charges are claims made in the appeal and are not independently verified in the supplied evidence. The evidence also does not specify the number of detainees represented or identify the authorities’ response.