The Egyptian authorities denied what was reported by the international organization "Human Rights Watch" about the existence of collective punishment against inmates in Scorpion prison, south of the capital, Cairo, confirming that they are only allegations.
Late yesterday, Saturday, the official Egyptian News Agency (AA) quoted an unnamed security source as saying that "the Brotherhood and some organizations loyal to it broadcast allegations of collective punishment inside a prison." The source added that "what is being circulated in this regard Completely dishonorable, and spreading lies to incite public opinion. "
"Scorpion" is a high-security prison in which most of the cadres and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and other opponents are located, but the authorities repeatedly deny that its inmates have suffered human rights violations.
It was not possible to obtain immediate comment from the Brotherhood, but it repeatedly confirms in its statements the existence of violations in this high-security prison.
On Thursday, "Watch" said that the Egyptian authorities impose collective punishment on inmates in Scorpion Prison in Cairo.
The New York-based non-governmental human rights organization documented, in a report, the existence of "almost complete deprivation of prisoners of ventilation, electricity and hot water, in addition to previous decisions banning visits since March 2018, and the denial of exercise since 2019."
She explained that the inmates in Scorpion prison, which number between 700 and 800, are subjected to grave violations that amount to collective punishment.
Cairo usually faces international human rights criticism by saying that it takes into account the rights and health care of prisoners, and that it adheres to the law, constitution and international covenants in this regard.