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Mohamed Abdelhafiz, an Egyptian citizen detained by Turkish authorities on Monday at Istanbul Airport on charges of membership in the Hasm movement—which Egyptian authorities regard as the armed wing of the Muslim Brotherhood—has been deported.
The destination of his deportation remains unknown, his lawyer Gulden Sonmez confirmed, expressing deep sorrow over the case.
“Those who have fled to our country to escape death and torture are under the protection of the Turkish people, and the rule of law obliges state institutions to safeguard such individuals and prevent their deportation,” Sonmez stated.
Abdelhafiz, an opponent of the Egyptian authorities and member of the Muslim Brotherhood who opposed the 2013 coup led by Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, sought refuge in Türkiye with his family to escape unlawful prosecution and the risk of torture.
One day before the detention order, his name appeared in a statement by the Egyptian Interior Ministry, which accused him of being part of a cell planning what it described as “sabotage operations.”
His family announced his arrest on social media, explaining that he was returning from a business trip to an African country. The detention followed accusations by Egyptian authorities that he was a member of the Hasm movement and involved in terrorist activities in Egypt.
Following his deportation today, Mohamed’s wife appealed to Turkish authorities to ensure his safe return to his family.
The arrest of Abdelhafiz has raised concerns over his possible extradition—a move that could result in his execution by Egyptian authorities.
Yeni Safak reported that several civil society organizations, both in Türkiye and abroad, have once again urged the Turkish government to stop Abdalla’s extradition to Egypt, stressing that such a deportation would violate both Turkish and international law.
Fearing for his safety, Egyptians and Turks staged a protest yesterday inside Istanbul Airport, calling on authorities to halt the deportation of preacher Mohamed Abdelhafiz to Egypt.
The lawyer explained that she has received inquiries from representatives of non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and numerous concerned citizens across Türkiye, all expressing deep concern about the situation.
Sonmez stated, “How is it that people who, when seeking refuge in our country, are granted ‘protection’ as commanded by Allah and ‘guarantees’ under Turkish law, are being sent from these lands into the unknown—sometimes to face torture and even death?”
“This is a pressing question that must be addressed collectively—by politicians, civil society, lawyers, judges, bureaucrats, and the public alike,” she continued.
She stated that, as his legal team, they will continue working to secure Mohamed Abdelhafız’s safety and facilitate his reunion with his family.
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