Lawyers urge UK police to investigate unlawful extradition of Egyptian activist

In the United Kingdom, lawyers filed a legal complaint regarding the detention of Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian poet and activist, who has allegedly been held in solitary confinement without charge in the United Arab Emirates for more than 100 days. The complaint was submitted on behalf of al-Qaradawi, a vocal critic of the Egyptian government, who had been living in Turkey and was reportedly abducted after being detained in Lebanon on December 28 as he returned from Syria. He had traveled to Syria to partake in celebrations following the downfall of President Bashar Assad. The Lebanese Cabinet subsequently deported him to the UAE on January 8. Since his extradition, he has been detained without due process, with his lawyer describing the conditions of solitary confinement as a form of torture under international law. Al-Qaradawi's legal team emphasizes that he was forcibly removed from his family and placed in a foreign country without evidence of any crime being committed. They are urging London's Metropolitan Police to initiate a criminal investigation under Britain's universal jurisdiction laws, which could allow prosecution for serious crimes regardless of where they occur. The complaint holds the UAE Ministry of Interior, the former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and the private aviation company Royel Jet LLC accountable for their roles in the alleged abduction and extradition. Additionally, Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi’s father, a noted cleric associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, adds a complex familial dimension to the case. Organizations such as the U.N. and Amnesty International have expressed concerns regarding the circumstances and legality of al-Qaradawi's detention, citing potential violations of human rights. As this situation unfolds, the broader implications for international law and human rights practices remain pressing for both countries involved.