Ahmed is a Sociology and Social Anthropology Master’s student at the Central European University (CEU) in Austria, since September 2019. He returned to Egypt on a study holiday to visit his family. Upon his arrival at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, Ahmed was interrogated briefly before being allowed to leave and be with his family. On 23rd January 2021 at 2 am, forces from the central security force broke into Ahmed’s house in the First Settlement in Cairo, weaponized and wearing masks, without a search warrant, in Ahmed’s absence.
On 1st February 2021, Ahmed, accompanied by his father, voluntarily presented himself to the Fifth Settlement Police Station in Cairo, as requested by the authorities, whereupon he was detained. His father waited for Ahmed outside the police station, but Ahmed never returned. He was not seen or heard of ever since.
The Fifth Settlement Police Station continues to deny any knowledge of his whereabouts, nor have any formal charges been brought against Ahmed. Yet, he continues to be detained. There has been no possibility for Ahmed’s lawyer to provide him with legal assistance while in police custody, and all communication with Ahmed has been cut off since then.
