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Egypt deports Palestinian writer Bisan Al-Adwan

March 3, 2020 at 11:51 am

Egyptians security guard between Egypt and Gaza Strip on 11 February 2017 [Ashraf Amra/Apaimages]

Egyptian authorities have deported Palestinian writer Bisan Al-Adwan from Egypt after holding her in a police station for a week.

Bisan has lived in Egypt since she was a child and managed the Ibn Rushd Printing and Publishing House.

On 13 February Egypt’s Writer’s Union honoured her with an award.

Bisan was detained after going to renew her residency permit last week. She lived and was the carer for her elderly mother, who is now living alone.

In a Facebook post Bisan wrote that she was not involved in political activity and would work to return to Egypt.

READ: Egypt’s penal code stipulates reduced punishment for men who kill their wives, report reveals

The Al-Sisi regime has become increasingly anti-Palestinian and closer to Israel.

The pro-regime press has ramped up rhetoric against dual Egyptian-Palestinian citizens and accused prisoners of financing terror groups in Palestine.

Authorities have detained Ramy Shaath, the general coordinator of Egypt’s boycott movement, and his colleague Mohamed El-Massry.

Following US President Donald Trump’s announcement on the so-called “deal of the century” Egyptian intelligence sent round a WhatsApp message to top media editors with instructions on how to report on the announcement.

In terms of security cooperation, Egypt and Israel have never been closer and are conducting a joint campaign in the Sinai Peninsula.

Israel is set to host an upcoming music festival in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula amid the government’s protracted war on terror which has been criticised by rights groups as being a war on civilians.