Mahienour el-Massry released
Egypt
Lawyers for Lawyers welcomes the release of human rights lawyer Mahienour El-Massry of last Saturday 13 August, after she had served her 15-months prison sentence.
On 31 May 2015 the Court of Appeal confirmed the conviction of Ms. El-Massry for, among others, “assaulting security forces”. This was after she and other lawyers went to Raml police station in March 2013, to provide legal assistance to three activists who were arrested and sent to the police by supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood. Lawyers for Lawyers has been campaigning for her release since her first arrest.
Ms. El-Massy is known for her human rights activism and her criticism of the Egyptian regime. It was reported that shortly before her release she participated in a hunger strike along with six other detainees in Qanater women’s prison, demanding implementation of the court’s ruling that allows for visits. In 2014 Ms. El-Massry won the Ludovic Trarieux price, an award that is given annually to a lawyer who contributes to defending human rights.