PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 12/002/2009

10 February 2009

UA 35/09 Incommunicado detention / Fear of torture or ill-treatment

EGYPT Philip Rizk (m) 26 year old, an Egyptian-German dual national

Philip Rizk has been held in incommunicado detention at an unknown location, following his arrest at a peaceful march on 6 February. He is believed to be in the custody of State Security Investigations (SSI) services. His whereabouts remain unknown and Amnesty International is concerned for his safety.Detainees held by the SSI are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment, especially when they are held incommunicado and at undisclosed locations.

According to information that Amnesty International has received, Philip Rizk was arrested on 6 February when he and others were engaged in a peaceful march to express solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip. He was first taken to Abu Zaabal police station but was then separated from lawyers who had been called to assist him. He was taken away in an unmarked police car to an undisclosed destination. His family have made several attempts to find him and are also very concerned to his safety and security.

Three days after his arrest, plain clothed security officials, who wereapparently members of the SSI, visited his family home in Maadi at around 2am, further increasing his family’s anxiety. They did not produce a search warrant but sought to take away documents belonging to Philip Rizk, and only departed at around 5am. That same night, other SSI agents are reported to have visited another apartment in Maadi where Philip Rizk and his sister live. They entered using his key and are said to have removed a number of items, including a camera.

Prior to his detention, Philip Rizk lived in Gaza for two years and returned to Egypt in the summer of 2008. He was preparing a film on Gaza and had previously produced a film on peaceful ‘resistance’ in the West Bank. He had also been visiting Palestinians in Egyptian hospitals after the recent war in Gaza.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Arabic, English, French or your own language:

- urging the authorities to immediately disclose the whereabouts of Philip Rizk and enable him to have access to a doctor and lawyer of his choice, and ensure that he is treated humanely and is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment;

- urging the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him, unless he is promptly charged with a recognizable criminal offence. Amnesty International would consider Philip Rizk to be a prisoner of conscience detained merely for exercising his right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

APPEALS TO:

Minster of Interior

Minister Habib Ibrahim El Adly

Ministry of the Interior

25 Al-Sheikh Rihan Street, Bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt

Fax: +20 22 796 0682

Email: moi@idsc.gov.eg

Salutation: Dear Minister

Public Prosecutor

Counsellor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud

Dar al-Qadha al-'Ali

Ramses Street, Cairo, EGYPT

Fax: +20 22 577 4716

Salutation: Dear Counsellor

COPIES TO:

National Council for Human Rights

Ambassador Mokhless Kotb

Secretary General, National Council for Human Rights

1113 Corniche El Nil, Midane Al Tahrir, Specialized National Councils Building – 11th floor

NDP Building, Cairo, Egypt

Fax: +20 22 574 7497

Email: nchr@nchr.org.eg

and to diplomatic representatives of Egypt accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 24 March 2009.