Egyptian rights organizations on Tuesday urged a review of court rulings leveled against political prisoners prior to the 25 January revolution.
In a statement, Arab Organization for Criminal Reform and the Human Rights Association for the Assistance of Prisoners said judges delivered these rulings during illegitimate trials. The rights groups also alleged courts deprived prisoners of their legal and constitutional rights.
Such cases intended to eradicate the political opposition, it added, claiming emergency law made the rulings particularly severe.
The rights groups said they have submitted three reports to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on Tuesday requesting an examination of the prisoners’ conditions.
Among those prisoners, some have served more than half their sentences. They may be released in accordance with the interior minister’s approval.
The groups said a human rights delegation recently visited some political prisoners, who requested retrial after the ouster of ex-President Hosni Mubarak.
The statement added that 12 prisoners have received death sentences.
