Abdul-Baqi Saeed Abdo, a Yemeni asylum seeker, was released from prison in Egypt on January 23, 2025, after three years of unjust detention. He was targeted for peacefully expressing his beliefs and has since been safely reunited with his family in Canada.
Arrest and detention
Egyptian security forces arrested Abdul-Baqi Saeed Abdo at his home on December 15, 2021. For two weeks, his family had no information about his whereabouts, as authorities held him in incommunicado detention. He was later brought before Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecution, which accused him of “joining a terrorist group” and “defaming Islam.”
These charges were based solely on his peaceful expression of religious beliefs. After converting to Christianity, Abdul-Baqi had shared his views online. He had fled Yemen in 2014 to escape persecution, but instead faced arbitrary detention in Egypt for the next three years.
In July 2022, Egyptian authorities issued a deportation order that would have returned him to Yemen—where he would have been at risk of torture, death, or execution by state or non-state actors. Thanks to continued pressure from supporters, human rights organizations, and civil society, Abdul-Baqi was eventually released and relocated to safety in Canada.
A message of gratitude
Abdul-Baqi’s release followed sustained advocacy by Amnesty International members and supporters who sent appeals to Egyptian authorities. After his safe arrival in Canada, his son Hossam shared this message:
“Thank you very much everyone for your efforts and we are grateful to our Lord and to you also for your help. May God bless you and bless your families. Thank you very much again.”
Amnesty International continues to call for an end to arbitrary detentions in Egypt and to stand in solidarity with those targeted for peacefully expressing their beliefs.
No further action is needed. Thank you to everyone who sent appeals.
