Arrests at the airport? : Two Germans in Egypt missing

For more than three weeks, lacking any trace of Isa El Sabbagh. The 18-year-old student from Giessen, the German and Egyptian citizenship, wanted to visit his sick grandfather in Cairo. 17. In December he flew to Frankfurt (Main). However, after the arrival to the airport in Luxor, Egypt, the young man disappeared.

"ever Since he got into the plane, we have heard nothing more from him," said his father, Mohamed El Sabbagh to the daily mirror. Actually, Isa wanted to travel on the same evening to Cairo. "He had already checked in, sat in the plane." Later, relatives were told in Cairo that he had been in Luxor.

the family fears that the 18-Year-old could be tortured

Isa El Sabbagh is born in Frankfurt (Main), the mother is German, the father of the Egyptians. This summer, he wants to make his a-levels. "It was the first Time that he is alone traveled to Egypt," said his father. His family is now in great concern for him and fears he could be tortured in detention. "I'm afraid that he will suffer the same fate as the one in Egypt killed Italian Student Giulio Regeni." Three years ago, Regeni was gone in Cairo without a trace. The 28-Year-old was later found dead, his body had traces of severe torture. Human rights organizations suspected due to his injuries, he could have been killed by Egyptian security forces.

Regardless of the Isa El Sabbagh, another German who also has both citizenships, is currently in Egypt, miss. The second Affected, a 23-Year-old from Göttingen, flew on 27. December, together with his brother from Saudi Arabia to Egypt to visit relatives. At the airport in Cairo he was detained, while his brother was allowed to continue traveling. Members learned later, he was detained by the secret service.

German diplomatic verbal note

Both families asked for help to the German Embassy in Cairo. However, the findings have not been confirmed, was attended by the Egyptian authorities, apparently, officially. At the Federal foreign office in Berlin, it was, you take the two cases very seriously. "The German Embassy in Cairo is in contact with the Egyptian authorities and is trying vigorously to enlightenment", a spokesman said. The German diplomats already sent a note verbale to the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Cairo. Dual nationality are treated by the authorities in Cairo, like other Egyptians – the German Embassy is not informed automatically.

The cases are reminiscent of the German state citizens of Turkey in the past few years. Also there was it for the Foreign office in particular, in the case of the double-state learning difficult, to obtain information and consular access to the Detainees.

protocols of a foreigner, So the Christians suffering in Egypt

In Egypt, the government are sitting critics, peaceful protestors and journalists are also behind bars, such as real or alleged supporters of the Muslim brotherhood. Human rights organizations accuse the authorities of unfair trials and arbitrary arrests. Torture will be particularly practiced in the detention centers of the secret service "systematically", says Amnesty International. According to the human rights organization Human Rights Watch about 60,000 political prisoners in Egyptian prisons.