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Death of Egyptian Researcher in France Raises Controversy

Reem Hamed with her brother Nader Hamed. (A photo taken from Nader Hamed's Facebook page)
Reem Hamed with her brother Nader Hamed. (A photo taken from Nader Hamed's Facebook page)
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Death of Egyptian Researcher in France Raises Controversy

Reem Hamed with her brother Nader Hamed. (A photo taken from Nader Hamed's Facebook page)
Reem Hamed with her brother Nader Hamed. (A photo taken from Nader Hamed's Facebook page)

The death of Egyptian researcher Reem Hamed, who died in France on Thursday, August 22, sparked controversy on social media, particularly after several alleged Facebook posts attributed to the researcher went viral.
The posts, which suggested that she was being followed and threatened, have raised concerns about the circumstances of her death.
On Sunday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is closely monitoring the investigation into the death of Hamed, who died in France on August 22.
The Egyptian Consulate General in Paris immediately contacted French authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hamed’s death.
In her posts, mostly dated in June, Hamed details how she was being watched by unknown persons and that her devices were being monitored. They also mention threats regarding her research.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty instructed the Consulate General in Paris to closely monitor the investigation process and to obtain a report from French authorities on the cause of death. He also directed the Consulate to expedite the necessary procedures for obtaining a death certificate and transporting Hamed’s remains to Egypt upon completion of the investigation.
Egypt's Ambassador to France, Alaa Youssef, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Egyptian consulate, after receiving news of Hamed’s death, contacted the French authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Hamed has earned a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Paris-Saclay University and moved to France to work as a resident researcher at the Paris-Saclay University.
She was an Egyptian PhD researcher who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture with a minor in biotechnology from Cairo University in 2017.

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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.