In a significant development that has stirred international concern, Egyptian opposition politician Ahmed Tantawy was arrested during a court session on Monday, according to his lawyer Nabeh El-Ganadi. This incident occurred at the Matareya Misdemeanour Court in Cairo’s Fifth Settlement, where Tantawy was appealing a previous sentence related to charges of unauthorised presidential campaign endorsements.
Ahmed Mohamed Ramadan Tantawi known as Ahmed Tantawi also: Al-Tantawy (Arabic: أحمد محمد رمضان الطنطاوي;[1] born 25 July 1979) -source Wikipedia
Ahmed Tantawy, who had emerged as a notable challenger to incumbent President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in the anticipated December presidential elections, was arrested “from inside the courthouse.” This arrest follows a February court decision sentencing him to one year in prison and imposing a five-year ban on his participation in national elections. Tantawy and his campaign manager, Mohamed Aboul Diyar, were accused of “circulating election-related papers without official authorisation.”
The arrest marks a dramatic escalation in the crackdown on political opposition in Egypt. Tantawy, a former member of parliament, had previously withdrawn from the presidential race in October, citing severe intimidation against his supporters and relatives. His campaign was notably hindered by the authorities allegedly blocking his supporters from filing necessary endorsements to support his nomination.
Following the court’s decision to uphold the initial sentence, a judge ordered the immediate arrest of Tantawy and Diyar, setting bail at 20,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $650) for each. Additionally, twenty-one members of Tantawy’s campaign have been sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour.
Human Rights Watch has criticised the court ruling against Tantawy, describing it as being “entirely based on Tantawy’s peaceful political activism” and documenting a series of unlawful arrests, intimidation, and prosecutions against potential candidates which, according to the organisation, effectively prevented any meaningful competition in the election.
President Sisi, re-elected on December 18 with 89.6% of the vote, has seen his administration accused of employing government mobilisation efforts that involved bribes and intimidation to ensure a high voter turnout—viewed as a crucial measure of the incumbent president’s popularity in the absence of significant contenders.
Amidst challenging economic conditions and ongoing conflicts, notably on the country’s border with Gaza, Sisi’s tenure has been controversial. The political landscape under his rule has increasingly narrowed, with allegations of widespread human rights violations and suppression of dissent.
The case against Tantawy highlights stringent regulations surrounding Egypt’s electoral process and the significant consequences for breaching these laws. Activists and opposition figures argue that the charges against Tantawy and his campaign staff are politically motivated, aimed at stifling dissent and maintaining a tight grip on power.
As Tantawy faces a one-year prison term with labour and a five-year election ban, the international community continues to scrutinise Egypt’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights. This event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by opposition figures in Egypt and raises serious concerns about the future of political freedom in the nation.
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