In a legal and political development, Egyptian judicial authorities announced the removal of 716 individuals from terrorism lists following security investigations confirming their cessation of “unlawful activities” against the state, sparking optimism among human rights advocates.
This decision followed a statement by the Public Prosecution, which confirmed that investigations found no evidence of involvement in activities threatening national security.
Terrorism lists in Egypt are a legal tool established under Law No. 8 of 2015, issued by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to regulate the designation of individuals and entities as terrorists.
The law specifies criteria for listing individuals and entities based on evidence proving involvement in or supporting terrorist acts.
According to Article 1 of the law, an individual may be listed if they commit, attempt, incite, threaten, or plan a terrorist act by any means, whether alone or as part of a joint criminal enterprise. The designation also applies to those in leadership or administrative roles within terrorist entities or those who fund or support such entities.
Being listed on terrorism lists imposes strict measures, including freezing assets, travel bans, and revoking or suspending passports with a prohibition on issuing new ones.
The designation is initiated based on a request from the Public Prosecutor, supported by investigations and evidence, making the lists a legal tool for combating terrorism.
Tarek Radwan, Chair of the Human Rights Committee in the House of Representatives, described the decision as a step toward opening a new chapter with individuals who were “involved in unlawful activities without committing murder.”
He added, “This decision reintegrates these individuals into society in a dignified manner, providing psychological support to help them contribute positively.”
Emphasising that the decision is part of a series of measures Egypt took to improve its human rights record, including the national dialogue initiative launched two years ago.
The decision included removing several prominent figures, such as Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, former International Union of Muslim Scholars leader, and preacher Wagdy Ghoneim, alongside businessmen like Ali Fahmy Tolba and Omar Al-Shenety. It also involved individuals accused in Case No. 620 of 2018, which initially included 1,524 names.
Despite the recent decision, names such as former footballer Mohamed Aboutrika and politician Essam Sultan remain on the terrorism lists.
Lawyer Khaled Ali explained that the Court of Cassation has decided to review the listing of individuals in Case No. 620. Still, the decision only removed 716 names, leaving 808 individuals unclear.
Human rights advocates see this as a positive but insufficient step, calling for the removal of all names from terrorism lists as part of comprehensive legal reform.
