A file photo of late economist and Reform and Development Party Member Ayman Hadhoud (Photo: Ayman Haddoud s Facebook account)
In a statement issued on Monday, NCHR President Moushira Khattab said that the council is awaiting the results of the investigation by the public prosecution, which has ordered that an autopsy be conducted on Hadhoud’s body to determine the cause of death and whether he was subjected to torture.
A preliminary autopsy report is expected by early Tuesday, according to press reports.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement denying that Hadhoud had been forcibly disappeared, saying that he was arrested on 6 February 2022 after allegedly attempting to breaking into an apartment in Zamalek, Cairo.
The statement added that police then checked Hadhoud into Abbassiya psychiatric hospital in accordance with an order from the prosecution. Hadhoud then reportedly died at the hospital.
The 48-year-old Hadhoud, who was one of Egypt’s prominent economic researchers, was co-founder and board member of the liberal Reform and Development Party.
The Reform and Development Party, which has 12 members in parliament, released a statement mourning the late economist on Sunday.
Hahdhoud's family said it was notified about his death on 9 April and were told they should go and claim the body. The family added that the hospital report said Haddoud passed away on 5 March, and that there are contradictory statements from the authorities about the reason for, and location of, his arrest, whether it was in Daqahliya or Cairo.
Meanwhile, the NCHR’s Khattab stressed in Monday’s statement that the NCHR is closely following up on all complaints concerning pre-trial detention and forced disappearance as well as complaints related to human rights violations.
“The council promptly contacts relevant authorities and plaintiffs,” she said.
Ambassador Khattab revealed that the NCHR has received since its reconstitution in October 2021, 19 complaints related to forced disappearance, in addition to complaints about inhumane treatment in detention and detainees remaining imprisoned beyond the limit for pre-trial detention.
The NCHR coordinates with the Public Prosecution and the Ministry of interior regarding these complaints, she added.
The Egyptian government has denied that there is forced disappearance in the country.
Khattab concluded her statement by saying that the NCHR is an independent body established according to the Paris Principles, and was formed through a democratic mechanism and has a clear agenda that seeks to enhance human rights.
According to Hadhoud’s family, the autopsy was carried out on Monday afternoon and they are now allowed to bury him in their hometown in Menoufiya governorate.
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