Cairo July 30, 2012

ANHRI condemns the judgment against “Ahmed Yusuf El=Zaghaby”, the previous judge and the activist. The judgment includes to be imprison for six months, fine and confiscate his passport. It was as a punishment as he objects the police violations to the juridical procedures while arrest of a citizen. ANHRI describes the judgement as “A Severe Below to UAE Judiciary and the country of law”.

On July 24, 2012, a UAE court issue a judgment, against “Ahmed Yusuf El=Zaghaby”, the previous judge and the activist, of for six months imprisonment, fine of 500 AED and confiscates his passport. “El-Zaghaby” was arrested on Monday morning of March 26, 2012 due to calling one of the security forces to apply the law while arresting the activist “Ahmed Gith El-Swedi” and ask him to show the prosecution authorization. “El-Swedi” was with the “El-Zaghaby” in the car. The security forces surrounded the car and arrested him too.

“El-Zaghaby” impersonating a capacity of judgment in his passport” reported in the judgment merits. ANHRI described the accusation as “ridiculous”. It said “it is an evidence of false allegations against the activists”. “El-Zaghaby” was a previous judge and manager of the Judicial Inspection and did not change his position after he left the judiciary, in addition to he is a member of the municipal council, professor and international arbitrator.

UAE activists mentioned that they did not expect the judgment in particular as the police personnel testimony was in his favor, in addition to the non-appearance of the nationality department expert, which proves that the none-proof of the charges.

ANHRI said “Judgment against “El-Zaghaby” is an attempt to terrorize any person, whatever his position or power, from defending the political detainees or calling for the enforcement of law”. It added “he was arrested in accusation of disrupt the law, while he was trying to enforce it. While the security forces arrest tens of oppositions and activists without any legal basis. It also press false charges against them, withdraw the nationality and deport them out of the country in violation of the simplest international recognized norms of law”.

ANHRI calls for the immediate release of all the activists in the UAE prisons as well as changing the abusive and terrorizing policy adopted against the activists in the country to restraint the calls for political and social reforms.