Latheefa Koya. -The Star filepic
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian government has been criticised by domestic and international human rights groups for detaining four Egyptians critical of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with the intention of extraditing them to Egypt where they may be executed.
“Malaysia has deported four Egyptians who may face execution by the military regime in Egypt. This has been done secretly, flouting international human rights standards,” said Lawyers for Liberty executive director Latheefa Koya (pic).
“The four Egyptians are members of jailed (former President Mohamed) Morsi’s party and are being persecuted for their political beliefs.
“It’s shocking that the government has deported persecuted persons to a regime that practises torture and killings. (Their) families and lawyers were denied information and kept in the dark throughout,” she tweeted on Thursday (March 7).
“We would have expected this inhumane conduct on the part of the (previous) Barisan Nasional regime, but it’s outrageous that the Pakatan Harapan government is doing the same thing.
“This is an international black mark for our country and a setback for the new Malaysia,” added Latheefa.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, an official at Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday (March 8) that the four Egyptians had been detained in an operation by the Immigration Department and the Special Branch.
The source, according to the news agency, spoke on condition of anonymity and said the men were not registered as refugees.
“We can confirm the four have been arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures Act) (Sosma).
“Malaysia has deported four Egyptians who may face execution by the military regime in Egypt. This has been done secretly, flouting international human rights standards,” said Lawyers for Liberty executive director Latheefa Koya (pic).
“The four Egyptians are members of jailed (former President Mohamed) Morsi’s party and are being persecuted for their political beliefs.
“It’s shocking that the government has deported persecuted persons to a regime that practises torture and killings. (Their) families and lawyers were denied information and kept in the dark throughout,” she tweeted on Thursday (March 7).
“We would have expected this inhumane conduct on the part of the (previous) Barisan Nasional regime, but it’s outrageous that the Pakatan Harapan government is doing the same thing.
“This is an international black mark for our country and a setback for the new Malaysia,” added Latheefa.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, an official at Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday (March 8) that the four Egyptians had been detained in an operation by the Immigration Department and the Special Branch.
The source, according to the news agency, spoke on condition of anonymity and said the men were not registered as refugees.
“We can confirm the four have been arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures Act) (Sosma).
Already a subscriber? Log in
Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
