Egyptian prosecutors renewed on Monday the detention of renowned human rights lawyer Malek Adly for 15 days pending investigations on charges of attempting to overthrow the regime.
Adly, who was arrested on 6 May, is accused of inciting violation of the protest law by calling for protest against an 8 April Egyptian-Saudi border demarcation agreement.
Among other charges levied against the lawyer are destabilising security, trying to destabilise the country and planning to overthrow the regime.
The decision to renew Adly’s detention comes on the heels of a huge social media campaign calling for his release.
For several hours Sunday night, the hashtag "#Malek_Adly_Free" was trending in Egypt, where thousands of Twitter users demanded the release renowned lawyer.
Prominent Egyptian figures like TV host Bassem Youssef and award-winning author Ibrahim Abdel Magid participated in the hashtag and called for Adly’s release.
Earlier Sunday, the Egyptian Lawyers Syndicate filed an official demand calling on authorities to allow the detained lawyer out of solitary confinement where he has been held since his arrest in May.
According to Adly's wife, activist Asmaa Ali, his health has deteriorated rapidly because of his solitary confinement.
