Updated 11 September – Click here for a video interview with Haitham giving full details of his arrest

Labour lawyer Haitham Mohamedain has been released by Suez prosecutors without posting bail, but according to his lawyer, Ramy Ghoneim, he was read a list of very serious charges, including:

• “Leading and joining a secret organisation called the Revolutionary Socialists, the purpose of which is to deny the authority of the state, assault citizens and damage social peace”
• “Incitement by verbal and written means for the purposes mentioned in the first indictment and possessing publications inciting violence”
• “Attempting to change the form of government by terrorist means through the organisation you lead”
• “Jointly inciting and assisting in the destruction of state property, facilities and institutions with the intention of damaging the nation”
• “Jointly inciting and assisting in the occupation of a number of public buildings and public facilities”
• “Establishing and leading the Revolutionary Socialists organisation which agitates in favour imposing a specific social class on the whole of society and overthrowing the social order of the state”

Haitham’s arrest has drawn condemnation from trade unionists and activists across the world. Hundreds have already signed a statement in protest in the 48 hours since his detention on Thursday afternoon. He is a well-known labour lawyer who has represented hundreds of striking workers in court, and is also well-known for his work with victims of torture through El-Nadeem Centre.

This prosecution is part of a much wider crackdown on opponents of the Egyptian army. Thousands of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood have been arrested, and the authorities have begun to arrest and threaten activists from the revolutinonary 6th April Youth Movement.

What you can do:

• Sign the statement calling for the dropping of all charges against Haitham. Add you name here
• Write urgently to the Egyptian authorities calling for an end to the harassment and prosecution of the military’s political opponents. Rush messages of protest to General Abd-al-Fattah al-Sisi, Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces. Email General al-Sisi here mod@afmic.gov.eg copy in Kamal Abu Aita, Minister of Labour (minoffice@mome.gov.eg) and the Egyptian Ambassador to the UK (eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg) or your country. 
• Print out this sign for solidarity pictures and send to us via Facebook or Twitter @menasolidarity
• Sign and circulate our Emergency Statement on Egypt which condemns the army’s crackdown