Egypt: re-trials of 50 men accused of homosexuality

The Assembly of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) reported last week that it has been informed that the verdicts of 50 men accused of being homosexual were cancelled by President Hosni Mubarak, and that the men will now face re-trials beginning on July 2nd, 2002.

OMTC said "According to the information received, the President recently annulled the verdicts of 50 out of the 52 men known as the 'Cairo 52,' 29 of whom had been acquitted with 21 others having been convicted on November 14th, 2001. The 52 men had previously been tried at the Emergency State Security Court, which has been frequently criticised because it does not allow for appeals to be launched and is reportedly only competent for cases of 'terrorism' and threats to the state. The President stated that 50 men had been accused of 'habitual practice of debauchery,' a charge that is not justified under the mandate of the court. The cases against the 50 men were sent to the prosecutors, and the men will now face re-trials before the Qasr-al-Nil Court of Misdemeanors beginning on July 2nd, 2002. The 21 who were until recently being detained have now all been released on 500 Egyptian Pounds bail, except for one person who has as yet not been able to raise that amount. President Mubarak, however, has reportedly confirmed the hard labour sentences for the remaining two men, S. H. F. and M. A. A. D, identified here by their initials for their protection, who had also been found guilty in that same trial, but had been accused of "contempt for religion."