Following calls to boycott “Tazkarti”.. Renewal of Pretrial Detention of Al-Ahly supporter on Charges of “Joining a Terrorist Organization”

The Cairo Criminal Court, convened at the Badr Courts Complex, has ordered the renewal of the pretrial detention of student Basil Suleiman Abdelbadei for a period of 45 days, pending investigations in Case No. 744 of 2023 (Supreme State Security). Basil faces multiple charges in the case, including alleged membership in a terrorist organization.

The case dates back to May 2023, when Basil was arrested along with a group of supporters of Al-Ahly Sporting Club in connection with calls to boycott Cairo International Stadium and the “Tazkarti” ticketing platform. He has remained in pretrial detention for more than two and a half years, a duration that exceeds the maximum statutory limit for pretrial detention as stipulated under the Egyptian Criminal Procedure Code.

In a related development, Basil’s family has submitted legal and humanitarian appeals calling for his release, particularly given that dozens of defendants in the same case have already been released pending investigation. Only eight defendants remain in custody. The family hopes that his detention will come to an end and that he will be allowed to return home and resume his studies ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.