Egypt under Examination: Wrongful Detention of Foreigners in Egypt

Evidence of extensive torture in the death of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in February 2016 has raised significant concern over the possible involvement of the Egyptian security forces. Regeni went missing from his Cairo neighbourhood on the night of 25 January, amid a widespread security crackdown on the fifth anniversary of the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak. His body was discovered nine days later, bearing visible signs of torture. Although the Egyptian government has consistently denied any part in Regeni’s death, the timing of his disappearance and the politically sensitive nature of his research make his case particularly suspicious. 

Egypt has a long history of political repression, which emerged under Mubarak’s regime and continued into the country’s recent political transition. Widespread reports of wrongful detention, forced disappearances, torture and death in police custody persisted under the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) between 2012 and 2013. Reports of these practices surged during the 2013 protests which ultimately led to the MB’s removal. Since current President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi took office in 2014, these activities have allegedly intensified further, as the government seeks to clamp down on growing opposition. This has contributed to an environment of state repression in Egypt in which political dissent and government criticism seem to have become targets of state-sanctioned aggression. 

While arbitrary arrest and the excessive use of force in police custody are frequently reported by Egyptian activists, these are not typically threats to international visitors. Foreign nationals operating in politically sensitive fields such as journalism or social research have more commonly faced obstructions such as denial of entry, harassment, state interference and deportation. However, Regeni is the first foreign academic to be killed in such circumstances in Egypt. As Regeni’s work was highly critical of the Sisi government, having focused specifically on labour unrest and independent trade unions in Egypt under the new regime, reports allege that he was under surveillance by the authorities. In turn, there is now growing speculation of police involvement in his death. With the investigation still underway, and the case somewhat unprecedented in the country, it remains to be seen whether Regeni’s death signals the advent of a new threat to other foreign nationals in Egypt. Nevertheless, it has shone a spotlight onto the use of force practised by Egypt’s state police against dissidents.

Evidence of extensive torture in the death of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in February 2016 has raised significant concern over the possible involvement of the Egyptian security forces. Regeni went missing from his Cairo neighbourhood on the night of 25 January, amid a widespread security crackdown on the fifth anniversary of the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak. His body was discovered nine days later, bearing visible signs of torture. Although the Egyptian government has consistently denied any part in Regeni’s death, the timing of his disappearance and the politically sensitive nature of his research make his case particularly suspicious. 

Egypt has a long history of political repression, which emerged under Mubarak’s regime and continued into the country’s recent political transition. Widespread reports of wrongful detention, forced disappearances, torture and death in police custody persisted under the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) between 2012 and 2013. Reports of these practices surged during the 2013 protests which ultimately led to the MB’s removal. Since current President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi took office in 2014, these activities have allegedly intensified further, as the government seeks to clamp down on growing opposition. This has contributed to an environment of state repression in Egypt in which political dissent and government criticism seem to have become targets of state-sanctioned aggression. 

While arbitrary arrest and the excessive use of force in police custody are frequently reported by Egyptian activists, these are not typically threats to international visitors. Foreign nationals operating in politically sensitive fields such as journalism or social research have more commonly faced obstructions such as denial of entry, harassment, state interference and deportation. However, Regeni is the first foreign academic to be killed in such circumstances in Egypt. As Regeni’s work was highly critical of the Sisi government, having focused specifically on labour unrest and independent trade unions in Egypt under the new regime, reports allege that he was under surveillance by the authorities. In turn, there is now growing speculation of police involvement in his death. With the investigation still underway, and the case somewhat unprecedented in the country, it remains to be seen whether Regeni’s death signals the advent of a new threat to other foreign nationals in Egypt. Nevertheless, it has shone a spotlight onto the use of force practised by Egypt’s state police against dissidents.