The World Movement was glad to learn that Egyptian civil society leader Esraa Abdelfattah was released on bail after receiving a summons for questioning in relation to Case 173. Commonly called the “NGO foreign funding case,” Case 173 is a politically-motivated investigation into civil society organizations working on democracy and human rights issues that receive foreign funding. In June 2013, it was used to sentence 43 civil society activists to sentences ranging from 1-5 years on charges related to receiving money from abroad and establishing branches of an international organization without a license, which they have a right to do under international laws protecting freedom of association.

Abdelfattah was questioned in relation to her role as a project manager for the Egyptian Democratic Academy, a non-governmental organization that promotes the use of new media tools to foster democracy and human rights. Learn more about Abdelfattah and Case 173 here, and join us in calling on the government of Egypt to #CloseCase173 by sharing this Tweet with your networks!