Click here to see the account of Human Rights First staff member who was in the court today when the appeal was granted.

“We are pleased that the system worked on this occasion,” said Neil Hicks, an expert on Egypt who has followed the Ibrahim case since his initial arrest in June 2000. “The court was right to uphold the procedural objections made by the defendants. A swift judicial resolution to this matter will do much to restore the faith of the international community in the independence of Egypt’s judicial system.”

Human Rights First granted Ibrahim its 2002 Human Rights Award for his work promoting human rights and democracy in Egypt. Barbara Ibrahim, his wife, accepted the award on his behalf in October.

Human Rights First’s satisfaction is tempered by the fact that Dr. Ibrahim has spent many months in prison, and had to endure more than two years of criminal investigation and trial for promoting respect for democracy and human rights in Egypt and the Middle East. His health has deteriorated throughout this ordeal, he has suffered a series of small strokes, and broke an ankle in a prison yard fall in September 2002. The independent research and advocacy institute that he led remains shuttered, and his experiences have sent an intimidating message to others in Egypt who might consider questioning official policy, and speaking up for unpopular causes.

“The case has been a disaster for human rights and democracy in Egypt. Our hope now is that the re-trial will be over with swiftly, and that Dr. Ibrahim and his co-defendants will be completely exonerated,” added Hicks.

The case will now be tried for a third time on January 7, 2003, with the Court of Cassation that ruled on the appeal serving as the trial court.