The family of Egyptian poet Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi has urged Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to free him from detention, claiming it is based on unjust accusations from a 2017 Egyptian ruling. Concerns over potential extradition to the UAE, where human rights abuses are prevalent, have intensified amid the political situation in Lebanon. Legal experts warn that such actions could violate international law.
The family of Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian poet currently detained in Lebanon, has appealed for his release in a formal letter to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The family asserts that Al-Qaradawi’s detention stems from “malicious accusations and an unjust judicial ruling” issued in absentia by Egyptian authorities in 2017, linked to a crackdown on dissent against President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. They express concern for his safety, urging Mikati to ensure his protection amid fears that he may be extradited to the UAE.
Being held at Beirut International Airport, Al-Qaradawi’s apprehension is said to follow a collaboration between Lebanese and Egyptian officials to locate activists abroad. This comes in the wake of a video he recorded urging the fall of certain Arab regimes. His family emphasizes that any extradition to a country like the UAE, with a known track record of human rights violations, would put Al-Qaradawi’s life at grave risk.
Legal expert Haydee Dijkstal, who is representing him, has warned that extraditing Al-Qaradawi would violate international law as Lebanon is obligated not to send any individual to a jurisdiction where they may face torture. The timing of this situation is critical as the Lebanese parliament prepares to reconvene shortly, and speculations about a potential extradition to the UAE are causing heightened anxiety among Al-Qaradawi’s family and supporters.
Al-Qaradawi has a history of activism, having played a significant role in the 2011 Egyptian revolution that overthrew the Mubarak regime. While his father was aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Qaradawi himself is known for his liberal political stances, including his involvement in the leftist Kifaya movement, which calls for reform in Egypt.
Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi is an Egyptian poet and the son of the prominent Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. His detention in Lebanon has drawn attention due to its connection to broader issues concerning free speech and political dissent in Egypt under the Al-Sisi regime. Al-Qaradawi was convicted in absentia for allegedly disseminating false information and opposing the government through literary means. His current predicament underscores the precarious situation for activists and dissidents, particularly in the context of regional politics and international human rights considerations.
The plea from Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi’s family highlights pressing concerns about his safety and the legal implications of his detention in Lebanon. The potential extradition to the UAE poses serious risks, not only to his personal safety but also to Lebanon’s adherence to international human rights obligations. As the Lebanese political context evolves, the family’s appeals and legal interventions are critical in safeguarding Al-Qaradawi’s rights and status as a political dissident.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
