Free Ola and Hosam Campaign
April 19, 2019
Ola and Hosam Renewed in the Midst of Recent Releases
On Wednesday April 17th 2019 Ola al-Qaradawi and Hosam Khalaf were transferred from prison to the courthouse in the police academy within the Torah prison complex for their pretrial detention extension hearing. Both were renewed by the judge for another 45 days yet again without any reason. They continue to be detained for over 655 days without charge or trial.
This news was extremely disappointing for Ola and Hosam after learning that many people in similar cases heard before the same court were released during the last two days.
The family has been advocating for increased US intervention for Ola and Hosam’s release. On March 25, 2019 many Egyptian American activists met with representatives in Congress for Egypt Advocacy Day, and Ola and Hosam’s case was raised as a US priority. On March 26, 2019 US Secretary of State Pompeo met with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry during a Washington visit. Even more recently, US President Trump met with Egypt’s President Sisi. The family hopes that the case was raised in both meetings.
Support and Media Coverage:
Middle East Eye, April 9, 2019
With Sisi in Washington, Egyptian-Americans urge Trump to stop ‘supporting a dictator’
Middle East Monitor, March 20, 2019
Egypt extends pretrial detention of Qaradawi’s daughter for 14th time
Middle East Eye, December 12, 2018
US lawmakers urge Pompeo to take action over arbitrary detentions in EgyptTRT, December 14, 2018
The daughter fighting to release her parents from jail in Egypt
Middle East Eye, December 4, 2018
Supporters of jailed Egyptian couple urge US Congress to ‘act now’
For more information:
freeolahosam@gmail.com
www.freeolaandhosam.org
www.facebook.com/freeolaandhosam
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