The juvenile court in Fayoum acquitted three minors of protest charges on Monday according to the Front to Defend Egypt’s Protesters, an independent group of human rights lawyers. The protests in question were those held across governorates on 25 April in contestation of the Red Sea islands’ demarcation agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The defendants included two 14-year-old boys and a 15-year-old. “Charges fabricated against them included their affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood, the calls for the return of former president Mohamed Morsi, the demand to release detainees, and the obstruction of roads,” the group reported.
It added that there was “no evidence” against the defendants, but that they were “falsely accused” of possessing “pamphlets that read ‘Awad sold your land, your land is your honour’”, with “Awad” being an infamous character used in reference to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
The Freedom for the Brave group defending political detainees reported that the three minors were “randomly arrested” following a protest that had ended before security forces arrived.
There have been several other minors facing trial in Cairo over the same protests. They have been released from detention.
Different political and civil forces announced their participation in the 25 April “Friday of the Land” protests, including the outlawed Brotherhood organisation.
