An Egyptian rights group on Thursday demanded the release of 22 prisoners held in jails around the country on health grounds.
The human rights center for the assistance of prisoners said it was "extremely worried" about the health of the inmates who were suffering a variety of disorders ranging from heart and kidney conditions to tuberculosis and a fractured spine, in a statement sent to AFP.
It said there had been a "deterioration in the health care" of the 22 prisoners in three Egyptian jails and demanded their release under a law which allows those with life-threatening conditions to be freed.
Egyptian and international human rights groups have repeatedly highlighted bad conditions in Egyptian prisons, said the agency.
The group, which did not specify why they were in prison, also urged the interior and health ministries to intervene to guarantee the prisoners' swift treatment.
Meanwhile a crusade is underway to stop alleged torture in the country’s police stations and prisons.
The campaign, undertaken by the Association for Human Rights Legal AID (AHRLA), was launched mid August.
The association has issued a statement, of which Albawaba.com has a copy, charging that torture of suspects during interrogation at the police stations has become “ a widespread practice that is not limited to individual cases.” – Albawaba.com
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