Cairo: 16 December 2019

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) said today that the arrest and forced disappearance of writer and prisoner of conscience “Hassan Mostafa” from his own bookstore at Fleming region in Alexandria can only be considered as a kidnap and a continuation of the police approach carried out by the Ministry of the Interior, in a severe hostility towards political and human rights activists. It also constitutes evidence of the perpetuation of the security crackdown against those suspected of participating in the great January Revolution along with advocates of democracy in Egypt.

According to eyewitnesses, a number of National Security men raided the bookstore owned by writer “Hassan Mostafa” on Wednesday, 11 December, afternoon. They took him to a minibus waiting outside the bookstore and headed to an unknown destination, and he has gone missing since then.

It is noteworthy that “Hassan” is a former prisoner of conscience and a political writer, who devoted his time to run his bookstore “Dar al-Thaqafa” (House of Culture) in Alexandria. The activist’s family has sent telegraphs (No. 2453869: 2453872) reporting him missing to the Public Prosecutor, the first public attorney in Alexandria, East Alexandria Prosecutions’ public attorney, and the Minister of Interior. Hassan Mostafa is still under enforced disappearance, although more than five days have passed since his abduction and despite reporting to the Public Prosecution and taking all legal measures.

ANHRI holds the Minister of Interior, in his capacity, responsible for the physical safety of Hassan Mostafa and calls on the Public Prosecutor to open an urgent and transparent investigation into the incident, disclose the body that kidnapped and hid him all this period, and hold them accountable for such clear violation of Article 54 of the Constitution and Article 124 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.