The family of the Egyptian activist al-Qaradawi appeals to the Lebanese prime minister for release | Human rights news

Al-Qaradawi’s family is seeking the intervention of the Lebanese Prime Minister to prevent his deportation to Egypt, fearing risks to his life.

The family of the Egyptian opposition activist Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi he asked the Lebanese authorities to release him immediately, as fears grow that he will be deported to Egypt, where he is wanted by law.

Al-Qaradawi’s family members issued a press release on Sunday saying they had sent a letter to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati asking him to intervene in the case of the Egyptian poet and writer, who is also a citizen. Turkish and lives with his family in the village. Istanbul.

“As a family, we trust in the wisdom of the Lebanese leadership and the dignified people of Lebanon,” the press release said. “Lebanon has always been a symbol of the defense of freedoms, and we appeal to the Lebanese prime minister, in the name of justice and humanity, to intervene immediately to release him and ensure his safe return to his family and the three daughters who are waiting for him in Istanbul.”

Al-Qaradawi, the son of late Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi, was arrested on December 28 on an Egyptian arrest warrant, a Lebanese judicial official was quoted as saying by the news agency. AFP and family. He was arrested at the Masnaa border crossing after entering Lebanon from Syria.

Al-Qaradawi had been sentenced by an Egyptian court in absentia to five years in prison on charges of “opposing the state and inciting terrorism,” the official said.

The family said the decision was a response to an article published by al-Qaradawi in 2012, and warned that Lebanon would put al-Qaradawi’s life in danger if it extradited him to Egypt.

“His extradition to any country that demands it would endanger his life, especially considering the record of human rights violations in those countries,” said the press release on behalf of al-Qaradawi’s family.

Al-Qaradawi’s lawyer in Lebanon, Mohammed Sablouh, had previously said that his client could be tortured if he was handed over to Egypt, which is accused by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International repression of political dissidents and crime prevention, including torture. “with impunity”.

The letter from Al-Qaradawi’s family is part of a campaign urging his release and return to Turkey.

The 53-year-old was a long-time opponent of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled in the country’s 2011 revolution.

The activist has also become a vocal critic of Egypt’s current leader, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power after a bloody 2013 coup against President-elect Mohamed Morsi , who later died in prison.