CAIRO: An NGO has condemned the continuing administrative detention of a man suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Shady Abdel Bary, a lawyer, has been imprisoned for 10 months despite having received a court release order.
The Nadeem Center for the Rehabilitation of the Victims of Violence said in a statement released on Saturday that because of his illness, Abdel Bary should not be held in a prison.
“Shady should be at home following treatment with his specialist doctor, or in hospital if the doctor regards this as necessary.
As a result of his illness, 31-year-old Abdel Bary suffers from delusions that he is being pursued and that people are trying to kill him. As a result of this, he started carrying a knife prior to his arrest.
On Aug. 14, 2008 Abdel Bary entered a downtown Cairo hotel with the knife in his pocket, which was identified by the metal detector. He left the knife and other belongings with hotel security.
When Abdel Bary left the hotel he was arrested by the police and detained in the Qasr El-Nil police station for a week. A detention order was issued against him under the Emergency Law on Aug. 21.
“Investigations have established that Shady is ill, and that his illness is the cause of his problems with other people, particularly his family. He has no political tendencies, Nadeem says in its statement.
This diagnosis has been supported by the head of Abo Zabal prison who according to the statement believes that Abdel Bary has not committed any crime.
“Why has [Abdel Bary] not been released in compliance with the court orders and given a chance to receive treatment and lead a dignified life? Nadeem says in its statement.
“His sister has pledged to bear the responsibility for, and costs of, his care and treatment. In whose interest is it [to keep him detained]?
