Treatment and not imprisonment for Shady Abdel Bary Salem

Shady Abdel Bary Salem is a 31 year old unmarried, Egyptian lawyer. Five years ago Shady was diagnosed with a psychological disorder. It was diagnosed by his treating doctor as paranoid schizophrenia. This causes him to imagine that he is being watched and that he is vulnerable to persecution and murder. His illness responds to medication. With regular treatment Shady can adapt to society, and to family and friends. He will also be able to understand the medical nature of his ideas and doubts.

The expected place for Mr. Shady Abdel Bary Salem to be is in his home, continuing his treatment with a specialist doctor. Or in a hospital if the doctor believes that the situation calls for it.

However, Mr. Salem is not at home or in the hospital. He has been in the prison of Abu Zaabal, section 2, for almost a year (from 14/08/2008 until 09/05/2009), during which time Shady’s sister has put forward five petitions against incarceration and got decisions for release from the courts each time. Nevertheless, Shady remains in the prison of Abu Zaabal.

In the period just before incarceration Shady’s  psychological disorder was causing him to imagine a person or persons wanting to kill him. He therefore started carrying a jack knife in his pocket.

On 14th of August 2008 Shady entered the Intercontinental hotel with the jack knife, which was detected by the metal detector. He agreed to leave it with hotel security and to pick it up on his way out.

When Shady left the hotel he found a security patrol waiting for him. He was arrested and taken to Kasr el Nil police station, where he stayed for a week. On the 21st of August 2008 a decision was made for his criminal detention under the emergency powers and his transfer to Abu Zaabal prison section 2.

All investigations proved that Shady is ill and that his illness is what causes his problems with others, especially with the members of his family, and that it has nothing to do with politics.

The prison doctor performed a check-up on Shady and confirmed that he has a psychological disorder and prescribed medication to help him get better. 

Shady’s sister confirmed that the prison director is sympathetic to towards Shady and understands his situation and understands that he is suffering from mental illness and not a criminal. 

What is the reason behind Shady’s continued detention even with medical reports and court decisions to have him released? And why has he not been released so as to get a chance for treatment and life with dignity, especially since his sister has vowed to take on all the responsibility of the cost of treatment and care? Whom does this benefit?

This question is aimed towards the responsible individuals in the Ministry of Interior and the Attorney General!