It is not the first time that Mahmoud experiences arbitrary detention, as he had already been detained for nearly six months from 25 September 2014 to 15 March 2015 under charges of "affiliation to a banned group" – accusations usually brought against Muslim Brotherhood supporters. He had, however, been released and started working for Nasr Spinning & Weaving & Dyeing Company in the city of Mahalla Al Kubra, located approximately 100 km North of Cairo, where he was living with his family. But as a former Member of Parliament (MP) from the FJP, Mahmoud remained at high risk of arrest from the authorities, who have been conducting a clear policy of annihilation of the Muslim Brotherhood since July 2013.

Less than three months after his release, on 6 June 2015, several members of the Homeland Security accompanied by Security Forces officers raided his home and, without showing a search and arrest warrant, collected several of his personal items before bringing him out of the flat, while threatening his relatives. Forced into a car, the former MP was taken to an unknown location. Trying to locate him, his family sent telegrams both to the Ministry of Interior and to the Attorney General of Gharbia Governorate on the day of his arrest, as well as a complaint they filed before the latter on 11 June. But more than a month after his abduction, his family has still not heard from him. His relatives are particularly worried that Mahmoud's already critical health will deteriorate further and could even lead to the former MP's death if he is not provided with adequate medical care, as was the fate of another MP from the FJP, Mohammed Al Fallaghi, who reportedly died of a gallbladder inflammation and a liver failure on 20 May 2015.

Mahmoud's case is another illustration of the authorities' will to stifle all kind of political dissent in Egypt, particularly against Muslim Brotherhood supporters, but also against journalists, activists, and researchers. According to Alkarama figures, since January 2015, the Egyptian authorities have made themselves responsible of at least 1,500 arbitrary arrests against real and alleged political opponents, including children, and 1,189 enforced disappearances, such as Mahmoud's (see Alkarama's news on Egypt here).

Worried about his fate, Alkarama called upon the UN WGEID to intervene with the Egyptian authorities to ask them to immediately release Mahmoud Tawfik Abdalaal or, at the very least, that he be put under the protection of the law. Alkarama also calls upon the Egyptian authorities to take effective measures to guarantee that all arrests are lawful and that individuals in custody are being brought before a public prosecutor within the next 24 hours after their arrest and granted the right to a lawyer, as prescribed by Egyptian law. Furthermore, they should ensure that reports of secret detention made by victims are being thoroughly and impartially investigated and that their authors and their hierarchy are brought to justice. Alkarama invites the authorities to cooperate with UN Special Procedures and to send an open invitation to all of them, meaning that they are prepared to receive a visit from any thematic mandate-holder to visit the country and assess Egypt's compliance with its international obligations.

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