These developments all point to a deliberate attempt by authorities to escalate the crackdown on EIPR by targeting the organization itself in violation of the law, both substantively and procedurally. During the session itself, EIPR’s lawyers were not even allowed to view the content of the order nor were they able to confirm the names included in the asset freeze. They were also not allowed to meet with the defendants in private and consult with them, as has been the case since they were detained.

In an escalation move rejected by the undersigning Human rights organizations and individuals, the Prosecutor’s Office decided to transfer Ms. AzzaSoliman from the list of witnesses in the case of the Shaimaa El Sabbagh to the list of defendants.

The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights condemned in a statement Saturday the circumstances and procedures followed when on 7 December 2014 the police arrested 26 people in a public bathhouse in the Ramsis area of Cairo on charges of engaging

The three journalists got prison sentences that ranged from 7 to 10 years in the infamous AJE trial. The trial was criticized for the lack of concrete evidence and due process.