Egypt frees renowned rights lawyer

Egyptian authorities release a renowned human rights lawyer arrested after protests against President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s decision to hand over two islands to Saudi Arabia.

Malek Adly had been held in pre-trial detention since being arrested by plainclothes police on May 5.

His defense team confirms his release.

“The case has not been referred to trial yet,” Tarek Khater, one of Adly’s lawyers says.

Adly had supported protests in April against the decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, which provoked outrage in Egypt and accusations that Sissi “sold” them in return for Saudi investments.

Egyptian protesters chant slogans during a Cairo demonstration against the handing over of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, April 25, 2016. (AFP Photo/Mohamed el-Shahed)
Egyptian protesters chant slogans during a Cairo demonstration against the handing over of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, April 25, 2016. (AFP Photo/Mohamed el-Shahed)

Police arrested dozens of activists ahead of an April 25 protest, after more than 1,000 people had chanted for “the fall of the regime” in an earlier demonstration in Cairo.

— AFP

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