Ahmed Kamel, an Egyptian activist, faces imminent deportation from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, where he could be sentenced to life imprisonment for pro-democracy protests. Rights groups raise concerns over potential torture upon his return. His wife, Sherryne Grace Badoui, struggles to navigate the Saudi legal system for information about his case while managing their two young children. The lack of transparency and serious legal issues further complicate Kamel’s situation.

Sherryne Grace Badoui has been enduring a challenging situation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as she attempts to gain information about her husband, Ahmed Kamel, an Egyptian activist. Kamel has been held in a Saudi immigration detention facility since November, facing imminent deportation to Egypt, where he risks life imprisonment due to his involvement in pro-democracy protests in 2011 and 2014. Rights organizations have expressed concerns over the likelihood of Kamel suffering torture upon his return to Cairo.

Kamel escaped from Egypt to Saudi Arabia in 2015 after serving a year in military service and being released from prison. He chose to remain politically inactive while living in Jeddah. His situation escalated when he was arrested by Saudi authorities on 12 November 2024, following a Red Notice from Interpol based on a request from Egypt. Despite Interpol’s statement denying it issued the alert, Saudi authorities maintain that it was responsible for Kamel’s arrest.

As the date of his deportation looms, Badoui is still awaiting any official documentation regarding her husband’s case. Balancing her role as a parent to two young children while navigating the complex Saudi legal system has left her feeling exhausted. Badoui expressed her emotions about Kamel’s possible extradition, stating, “It is just really surreal to see that people can just pluck somebody that you love out of your life this way, like for no reason at all.”

The secrecy surrounding Kamel’s extradition appears connected to the Arab Interior Ministers Council (AIMC), an organization involved in politically motivated extraditions within Arab League countries. Witnesses to similar cases report that authorities often erroneously claim Interpol is the basis for these orders without providing any arrest warrants. This pattern raises significant concern regarding the transparency and legitimacy of Kamel’s legal proceedings.

During her attempts to communicate with officials, Badoui faced frustration when she provided evidence from Interpol stating it did not issue the extradition order, yet police refused to acknowledge this document. Kamel’s legal representation has struggled to obtain information about the charges against him, only to discover that a secret file exists concerning his case. This lack of clarity has fueled fears regarding Kamel’s upcoming deportation and legal proceedings.

Kamel has faced legal complications before, having been arrested in 2022 during a background check at the Egyptian consulate. He was released three days later, yet currently, he remains without knowledge of the charges leading to his arrest this time around. As Badoui noted, the situation has transformed adversely since 2022.

On 18 November, an Egyptian court granted a stay of execution order for Kamel, indicating that he should not be detained pending his trial review. However, attempts to provide this order to the Egyptian consulate were met with refusal. Kamel’s lawyers have sought to formally address his release, but efforts have repeatedly been obstructed without appropriate documentation from the Saudi authorities.

The complications surrounding Kamel’s case highlight concerns about his treatment and the prospects of a fair legal process. As he awaits a scheduled retrial date, there is significant anxiety that judicial errors could lead to his re-sentencing. Badoui articulated that the situation poses grave consequences, as any failure to reschedule the trial might result in Kamel facing an unjust 25-year sentence simply due to his absence from court proceedings. These developments underscore the precarious plight of dissidents in authoritarian regimes and the urgent need for accountability in international legal processes.

The case of Ahmed Kamel, an Egyptian activist facing imminent deportation from Saudi Arabia, raises alarming concerns regarding human rights and legal justice. Kamel risks life imprisonment and potential torture in Egypt due to his prior political activities. His wife’s ongoing struggle to navigate the opaque Saudi judicial system highlights the challenges faced by many families of political dissidents. As the situation unfolds, it emphasizes the urgent need for advocacy in defense of individuals persecuted for their beliefs and the transparency of international extradition processes.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net

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