Waad cell
The Waad cell was the name given to the approximately 100 Egyptians apprehended or tried in absentia by Egyptian authorities in 2002.[1][2] Hannah Alam, writing in the Miami Herald asserted that "Egyptian political analysts say Mubarak's government fabricated or greatly exaggerated the threat posed by the defendants to prove to Washington that it was a reliable ally in the fight against terrorism."
Alam reported that many of the captive were released due to lack of evidence, or had their convictions overturned on appeal. She reported those who were convicted generally served three year sentences.
Following the fall of Hosni Mubarak Presidency Adel Fattough Ali Al Gazzar, a former Egyptian held in Guantanamo, who had received political asylum in Slovakia, decided to try returning to Egypt. He was promptly arrested based on 2002 conviction, in absentia.
References
- ↑ Hannah Alam. Egypt's military to decide fate of Gitmo returnee, McClatchy News Service, 2011-12-11. Retrieved on 2011-12-13. “Gazzar's latest detention stems from his conviction in absentia in 2002 for militant activities in a group known as the Waad Cell. Authorities opened the case right after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. Egyptian political analysts say Mubarak's government fabricated or greatly exaggerated the threat posed by the defendants to prove to Washington that it was a reliable ally in the fight against terrorism.”
- ↑ Eman. Egyptian Gitmo returnee hopes for post-Mubarak freedom, Al Arabiya, 2011-12-14. Retrieved on 2012-05-25. “Members of Waad faced accusations of being members in an illegal organization, working against the Constitution, committing crimes against public order, and using terrorism to realize their objectives, Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm reports.”