On Sunday the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the
imprisonment of political activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah and
human rights lawyer Mohamed al-Baqir for 15 days pending case no.
1356 of 2019, in which they face charges of “spreading false news and

a terrorist group in achieving its goals.”
Likewise, the State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of the
deputy head of the Strong Egypt Party, Muhammad al-Qassas, for a
period of 15 days pending case no. 1781 of 2019.
Over the past several days, Egyptian human rights activists and social
media users launched a campaign “#the cold pinch of the scorpion” and
“# cold cells” in solidarity with the detainees inside the Scorpion wing of
Tora Prison.
They suffer multiple violations exacerbated by the cold winter as the
prison has no heating.
Activist Mona Seif, sister of Alaa Abdel Fattah, said: “Alaa was shivering
during our last visit as the prison administration refused to [allow the
entry of] any blanket, jacket or mattress,” adding that her brother and
all the detainees slept on benches made of cement, in light clothes,
which puts their health at risk.
“We have fellow journalists behind bars and the cold ravishes their
bodies. Their only crime is that they are journalists,” said Mohamed
Kamel, a member of the Syndicate of Journalists.