AI Index: MDE 12/25/99

Date: 17 June 1999

Distrib: PG/SC

To: Health professionals

From: Medical Office / Middle East Regional Program

Further information on

MEDICAL LETTER WRITING ACTION

Dr Ibrahim Khalil al-Za’farani

EGYPT

[see AI Index: MDE 12/07/99, 19 February 1999, and AI Index: MDE 12/21/98, 20 April 1998]

Theme: release of prisoner of conscience

Amnesty International has learned that Dr Ibrahim Khalil al-Za’farani was released from detention on 28 April 1999 following an order from the Higher State Security Prosecution.

Dr Ibrahim Khalil al-Za’farani, a medical doctor and former prisoner of conscience, had been re-

arrested on 14 February 1999 together with eight other members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and charged with "belonging to a secret organization that was established against the law and possession of leaflets that promote the group’s ideas". Three other members of the Muslim Brotherhood who were arrested together with Dr Ibrahim al-Za’farani have also been released, but the other five remain in detention.

In a phone conversation with an AI staff member, Ibrahim al-Za’afarani thanked Amnesty International "for its work and its fight against violation of laws". He was not aware of Amnesty International’s work on his behalf while he was in detention and was very glad to learn about the organization’s support after his release.

Network members who would like to write to Dr Ibrahim al-Za’afarani can contact him at the following address: Dr Ibrahim al-Za’afarani / Alexandria Medical Syndicate / Egyptian Human Rights

Committee / P.O.B. 387, Sidi Gaber / Alexandria / EGYPT.

Many thanks to all those who sent appeals!