Concerns Over the Extradition of Ahmed Kamel from Saudi Arabia to Egypt

Saudi Arabia is called upon not to extradite Egyptian citizen Ahmed Kamel, who faces significant risks of arbitrary detention and torture in Egypt. He was detained without clarity on charges, and concerns grow over the fairness of his potential trial. Human Rights Watch stresses the need for Kamel’s immediate release and adherence to international obligations against torture.

Saudi Arabia is urged to refrain from extraditing Egyptian citizen Ahmed Kamel, who is facing serious risks of arbitrary detention and torture if returned to Egypt. Kamel was detained by Saudi police in Jeddah on November 13, 2024, in connection to an alleged extradition request from Egypt, following a life sentence issued against him in absentia for participating in protests in 2014. His family reported that Saudi authorities claimed he had received an exit visa.

Human Rights Watch has called for Kamel’s immediate release and for Saudi Arabia to reject the extradition request due to systematic violations in the Egyptian legal system. Kamel’s case highlights the dangers he could face in Egypt, including potential torture and unfair trial practices. After being moved to al-Shumaisi detention center on January 22, 2025, Kamel is now at heightened risk of deportation.

Kamel attended a summons to a police station in Jeddah following a phone call from Saudi authorities, who informed him that Egypt was seeking his extradition via Interpol. However, Interpol has confirmed that there are currently no records related to Kamel in their system, raising questions about the legitimacy of Saudi Arabia’s actions.

Despite his family’s requests, Kamel’s legal representation has not been allowed access to his case file, hindering any effort to understand the grounds for his detention. Kamel has a history of participating in anti-government protests and has previously faced torture. His prior involvement in protests led to a life sentence for charges formulated after his departure from Egypt.

In past years, several Egyptians critical of their government have faced arbitrary detention in Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Watch has documented numerous abuses within both Saudi and Egyptian criminal justice systems, including physical and psychological mistreatment of detainees, violations of due process, and unjust trials.

Extraditing Kamel may violate Saudi Arabia’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention against Torture, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they could face torture. Human Rights Watch has emphasized the potential consequences for Kamel, urging Saudi authorities to demonstrate a commitment to human rights by halting the extradition.

In summary, Ahmed Kamel’s situation underscores the urgent need for Saudi Arabia to protect him from extradition to Egypt, where he risks severe human rights violations. The lack of transparency in his case and the potential breach of international obligations highlight significant concerns about both countries’ judicial practices. The immediate release of Kamel would align with global human rights standards and affirm Saudi Arabia’s commitment to upholding human rights.

Original Source: www.hrw.org