Egypt: CFWIJ condemns the physical and sexual assault of Solafa Magdy in police detention

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February 3, 2021— Solafa Magdy, a freelance journalist, has endured physical and sexual assault while in police custody. Solafa was first arrested on November 26, 2019, along with her husband. She is now being held and tortured at Al-Qanatar women’s prison. In one incident, she was reportedly dragged across the floor and stripped of all her clothes. Solafa suffered heavy bleeding after one of these brutal attacks. CFWIJ demands the law enforcement authorities in Egypt investigate this inhumane treatment. We urge the human rights bodies in Egypt to rally for Solafa’s acquittal.

Solafa’s lawyer appeared before the court, testifying that police personnel asked her to strip off all her clothes under the guise of a body search. This violation took place during one of her transfers between the prison and court. The journalist further stated she suffered heavy bleeding after a forced pelvic examination. In another incident, she was recruited during an interrogation to be a spy for the security agency. When Solafa refused this offer, they threatened she would never see her family again. 
Human rights lawyer Mai El-Sadany also wrote about this incident on her Twitter account, “Horrifying report from lawyers of Egyptian journalist Solafa Magdy, on Nov. 29, Solafa was blindfolded & taken from her cell to another room where a man asked her to become an informant. She refused. He threatened her, telling her she would not see her son again. He harassed her.”

Solafa Magdy was arrested, along with her husband, on November 26, 2019. They were working as freelance journalists when they were apprehended for allegedly spreading lies and being part of a terrorist organization. In her journalistic career, Solafa has reported about human rights violations and minorities’ issues. She has also covered social causes, sexual harassment cases and migration. 

The journalist also faces pre-existing health conditions in detention. Her mother reported that Solafa was very weak, even needing help to walk the last time she visited her daughter.  There is the added fear of cancer recurrence for which Solafa was treated in 2017. Solafa’s mother also stated that two police personnel were guarding them during their entire meeting.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the cruel physical and sexual assault Solafa has suffered. We urge state authorities in Egypt to investigate police misconduct in prisons. We offer our full support and solidarity to Solafa Magdy and her family. We demand an end to the unjustified detention and torment of Solafa, calling for her immediate release.