Responding to 2 separate extradition requests issued by authorities in Egypt and the United Emirates (UAE) for Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian-Turkish poet, who was arbitrarily detained by Lebanese safety forces upon his return from a go to to Syria on 28 December, Amnesty Worldwide’s Deputy Director for the Center East and North Africa, Sara Hashash stated:
“The Lebanese authorities should urgently reject the requests for the extradition of Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi made by the Egyptian and UAE authorities.
“Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi’s arbitrary detention got here after he made feedback vital of the Emirati, Saudi Arabian and Egyptian authorities and the requests for his extradition are believed to be based mostly on the authentic train of his proper to freedom of expression.
“Criticizing the authorities is just not against the law. If returned to Egypt Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi could be at actual threat of enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and unfair trial resulting in prolonged unjust imprisonment, he would even be prone to arbitrary detention and other human rights violations if he’s returned to the UAE.
“Forcibly extraditing him to a rustic the place he’s prone to face persecution could be a flagrant breach of the precept of non-refoulement underneath worldwide regulation.
“This case is an important take a look at of the Lebanese authorities’ dedication to the suitable to freedom of expression. They have to put their respect for human rights and obligations underneath worldwide regulation earlier than political ties and financial pursuits. The Lebanese authorities should reject the extradition requests from the UAE and Egypt , launch Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi instantly and permit him to journey to Türkiye or one other vacation spot of his selection.”
Background:
Lebanese authorities are anticipated to take a call over Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi’s extradition request later this week.
Throughout a go to to Damascus in December 2024, Al-Qaradawi filmed himself strolling across the Umayyad Mosque and criticizing the authorities of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In accordance with his household and attorneys, this brief clip extensively shared on social media triggered his arrest. He was arrested on the Lebanese/Syrian border on 28 December and was later interrogated by Lebanese safety forces in relation to a 2017 verdict issued in absentia by an Egyptian court docket, convicting him on prices of spreading “false information”, amongst others, and sentencing him to 5 years in jail in a politically-motivated case, in addition to the UAE extradition request.
On 3 January 2025, Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi’s attorneys submitted an pressing letter to UN Particular Procedures demanding a halt to the Egyptian and Emirati extradition requests.
Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi is a twin Egyptian Turkish nationwide residing and dealing in Türkiye. He’s the son of late distinguished Egyptian Islamic scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. His sister, Ola Al-Qaradawi, has spent 4 years arbitrarily detained in Egypt on bogus terrorism associated prices.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty Worldwide.