A committee tasked by President Mohamed Morsi to investigate the status of political detainees has reported that approximately 9,714 from a total recorded number of over 11,897 detainees have been released from military detention.
Those in detention were held in the period 25 January 2011 to 30 June 2012.
The first press conference of the committee was held Saturday, headed by Judge Ameen El-Mahdi.
El-Mahdi stated that the aim of the committee is to ensure that there are no Egyptians unfairly detained. He added that the committee would be named the "Committee for the Protection of the Personal Freedoms of Egyptian Citizens."
Judge Mahmoud Abdel Bary, rapporteur of the committee, claimed that 2,165 prisoners are remain in detention, as their cases are still being studied.
He also stated that according to an official statement from the interior ministry, none the detainees are held in its prisons.
The committee has set up a body to receive complaints and any related information from Egyptian citizens on detainees.
The new committee was formed by President Mohamed Morsi 4 July. It will also be tasked with investigating the status of all detainees and revolutionaries convicted by ordinary courts during the same period.
The committee will produce its first report within two weeks of commencing its work.
The committee has received some criticism for being composed of Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, interior ministry and general prosecution representatives.
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