Brotherhood officials suffer under chronic prison conditions

The physical appearance of three prominent Muslim Brotherhood officials have changed beyond recognition as a result of the chronic prison conditions in which they are being held in Egypt, Rassd.com reported on Friday. Torture and general ill-treatment are commonplace, it was claimed. Photographs smuggled out appear to confirm this conclusion.

Following its coup in 2013, the Egyptian army sent all Muslim Brotherhood leaders and active members to prison, including those who were elected freely as MPs and state officials.

Former Local Development Minister Mohamed Ali Beshr appeared in court on Thursday with pale features and was clearly very frail. “Nevertheless,” commented another Brotherhood official, Omar Darraj, “Despite what the jailers did to him, this humblest and most ethical of men appeared smiling.”

Mohammed Ali Bishr before he went to prison

Mohamed Ali Bishr in prison

Family and friends of lawyer Ahmed Abu-Baraka said that he appears to have lost more than half of his body weight. He was imprisoned for contempt of the judiciary following allegations that he disclosed information about judges to the media in order to undermine their ability to carry out their work.

Ahmed Abu Baraka before he went to prison

Ahmed Abu Baraka in prison

When Sa’d Al-Katatni, the former Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, appeared in court it was obvious that he is suffering from severe illnesses; he too has lost a lot of weight. Furthermore, he has undergone eye surgery whilst in prison, which is dangerous due to his diabetes.

Saad Al Katatni before he went to prison

Saad Al Katatni in prison

“Al-Katatni is suffering from a very bad situation in prison,” said one lawyer who saw him in court. “He is locked in solitary, without any accessories or bed. He has only three blankets to be used as a mattress, cover and pillow.”

The defence lawyer added that the ex-speaker is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a day. Even his defence team has trouble with access to him, and personal visits have been denied, including one linked to his daughter’s engagement.