Despite Exceeding the Legal Detention Period, Arbitrary Detention of Dr. Saif Fattin Continues
🔴 More than seven years in detention.. Academic Dr. Saif Fattin remains imprisoned despite exceeding the legally prescribed detention periods
Al-Shehab Human Rights Center is following with deep concern the continued detention of Dr. Saif Fattin, a professor of environmental and chemical engineering, since November 2018, amid a series of grave violations he has been subjected to, including enforced disappearance, torture, and prolonged detention—raising serious concerns about respect for fair trial guarantees and the rule of law.
🔹 A distinguished academic career
Dr. Saif Fattin is among Egypt’s prominent academic competencies. He has held major academic and scientific positions, including professor of chemical engineering at Cairo University, the American University in Cairo, and Zewail University; and director of the Environmental Engineering Program at Zewail University. He also worked as an adviser to the Minister of Higher Education. He is known for his scientific contributions in the fields of energy and sustainability, as well as his educational efforts that benefited thousands of students and researchers.
🔹 Enforced disappearance and torture
According to available information, Dr. Saif Fattin was arrested on 14 November 2018, before being subjected to enforced disappearance for more than nine months at one of the premises
🔹 Prolonged pretrial detention and being “recycled” over new cases
Dr. Saif Fattin first appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in August 2019 in connection with Case No. 930 of 2019, popularly known as the “Hope Case.” Despite exceeding the legally set maximum period of pretrial detention, his detention continued for additional years, before being “recycled” in connection with Case No. 991 of 2021, with new charges of a similar nature. This resulted in his continued deprivation of liberty despite the expiry of the legal periods for pretrial detention.
🔹 A delayed trial and ongoing suffering
Although the first sessions of his trial began in July 2025 after many years of detention, the scheduling of hearings at widely spaced intervals contributes to prolonging the case and continuing his suffering. He also remains separated from his family and his seven children, who have been deprived of his presence throughout the years of detention.
🔹 Violations that conflict with the law and international obligations
Al-Shehab Human Rights Center believes that what Dr. Saif Fattin has been subjected to—enforced disappearance, torture, prolonged detention, and being “recycled” over new cases—constitutes a serious violation of constitutional and legal guarantees, as well as the relevant international standards protecting the right to liberty and personal security and to a fair trial.
📌 Recommendations of Al-Shehab Human Rights Center:
▪️ Immediate release of Dr. Saif Fattin and an end to his arbitrary detention.
▪️ Opening an independent and transparent investigation into allegations of enforced disappearance, torture, and ill-treatment, and holding those responsible accountable.
▪️ Ensuring his right to a fair trial within a reasonable time and in accordance with legal and international standards.
▪️ Enabling him to communicate regularly with his family and his lawyer, and ensuring he receives all his legal and human rights.
▪️ Stopping the use of prolonged pretrial detention and “recycling” over new cases as a means of circumventing legal safeguards related to personal liberty.