Document - Egypt: Russian detained in Egypt: Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev

URGENT ACTION

RUSSIAN NATIONAL DETAINED IN EGYPT

Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev, a 32-year-old Russian man of Ingush ethnicity, has been detained incommunicado in Egypt since 10 November. He is believed to be held by State Security Investigations (SSI) officers in the northern coastal city of Alexandria. Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev is at risk of torture and ill-treatment, and may be at risk of forcible return to Russia.

Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankievand his wife, Maret Mankieva, were both detained after they visited the Russian consulate in Alexandria on 10 November to renew Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev’s passport. After they left they were followed by two plainclothes police officers, who allegedly beat Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev, before detaining them both. No arrest warrant was produced, and no explanation was given for the detention. They were initially driven to a police station, before being driven to another police building in Alexandria – probably an SSI detention facility – where they were blindfolded and separated.

The security forces told Maret Mankieva that she and her husband had been under surveillance, and instructed her to take them to her home. She was permitted to see her husband for five minutes before leaving with the security forces; she told Amnesty International that Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev’s legs had been tied up with ropes, he had been handcuffed and that he was bleeding from the head and face. The security forces subsequently searched their home without a warrant and confiscated a number of personal documents. Maret Mankieva was permitted to remain at home after the security forces left, but her husband continued to be detained. Since then, Maret Mankieva has not been permitted to see her husband or pass on his personal belongings to him, and the authorities have not acknowledged holding him. No charges are known to have been brought against him. On 11 November, the Russian Vice-consul told Maret Mankieva that her husband was still detained, but that no one was allowed to see him.

In June at least six Russian nationals were forcibly deported from Egypt, following a wave of arrests in late May of foreign students – including about 35 Russians. Amnesty International is therefore concerned that Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev may be at risk of forcible return to Russia, where he may face arbitrary detention and is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English or your own language:

• urging the authorities to disclose Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev’s whereabouts immediately, and give him access to lawyers of his choice, consular services, his family and any medical attention he may require;

• urging the authorities to ensure that he will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated;

• calling on the authorities to release Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev immediately and unconditionally, unless he is promptly charged with a recognizably criminal offence and given a fair trial in line with international standards;

• urging the Ministry of the Interior not to forcibly return Ibrahim Zautdinovich Mankiev or any other Russian nationals, who would be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment if returned to Russia.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 25 DECEMBER 2009 TO:

Minister of the Interior

Habib Ibrahim El Adly

Ministry of the Interior

25 El Sheikh Rihan Street

Bab al-Louk, Cairo, Egypt

Fax: +20 22 796 0682

Email: moi@idsc.gov.eg

Salutation: Dear Minister

Prosecutor General

Abd El-Megeed Mahmoud

Dar al-Qadha al-'Ali

Ramses Street, Cairo, Egypt

Fax: +20 22 577 4716

Salutation: Dear Counsellor

And copies to:

Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights

Wael Abu al-Magd

Human Rights and International Humanitarian and Social Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Corniche al-Nil, Cairo, Egypt

Fax: +20 22 574 9713