3-Year Prison Sentence for Detainee “Ziad Tarek” for “Insulting the Judiciary” After He Protested Inside the Dock at the Badr Criminal Court

🔴 3-year prison sentence for detainee “Ziad Tarek” on charges of “insulting the judiciary” after he protested inside the dock at the Badr Criminal Court

The Badr Criminal Court (presided over by Judge Wajdi Abdel Moneim) sentenced detainee “Ziad Tarek Mustafa Mohamed” (held in pretrial detention pending Case No. 1958 of 2022) to 3 years in prison after he banged on the glass of the defendants’ cage and protested, demanding the application of the new Criminal Procedure Law and the end of his extended pretrial detention.

📌 Details of the incident and rising tension in the courtrooms:

Tension and commotion in the cages: On 26 and 27 September, the courtrooms witnessed escalating tension following detainees shouting and banging on the cages in protest at the length of pretrial detention and the demand to apply the provisions of the new law.

Closed doors for demands: Three detainees left to speak on behalf of their fellow detainees to present their legal demands regarding freedom and the benefit of amendments to pretrial detention; however, the judge refused to listen and ordered them to be returned to the cage.

A brief, expedited ruling: The young man, Ziad Tarek, continued banging on the cage in an expression of his anger. The judge then ordered his removal and suddenly sentenced him to 3 years in prison for “insulting the judiciary,” while rejecting the lawyers’ pleas to take into account his circumstances and psychological distress.

Ignoring the cries of the detained: The incident reflects the state of deadlock facing thousands of detainees held in pretrial detention who have exceeded the legal limit for detention without any response.

⚖️ Al-Shehab Center’s demands:

Quash the unjust ruling: Revoke the judgment issued against detainee Ziad Tarek Mustafa and drop the charge of “insulting the judiciary” arising from a moment of anger and justified outrage.

Apply the law’s provisions: Immediate release of all detainees held in pretrial detention who have exceeded the legally prescribed period, and implementation of the provisions of the new law.

Guarantee the right to defense and complaint: Enable defendants and defense bodies to present their legal arguments and requests freely, without threats of exceptional penalties.

Respect judicial guarantees: Provide a fair environment for trials and move away from the logic of punishing detainees for demanding justice.

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