CAIRO: Egyptian engineer Youssef Al-Ashmawy was kidnapped and has been detained without charge by Saudi authorities for almost a year, according to the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). His family and friends reiterate that no charges were brought against him nor did he stand trial. On Sunday, a protest organized by ANHRI and held in front of the Saudi embassy in Giza brought together Al-Ashmawy's family, workers in the Tanta for Flax and Oil Co as well as human rights activists. ANHRI say the protest was peaceful and that the Giza head of security was notified. While the protest was a success, according to the group, legal measures are still underway to secure the Egyptian engineer's release. Gamal Eid, executive director of ANHRI, said, "We successfully conveyed our opposition of the Saudi interior minister's violation of the law as well as the Egyptian foreign ministry's silence. However, he explained that protests are not enough. "There must be serious follow-up efforts in the coming period because they will have the greatest impact, especially from the Egyptian foreign ministry, which must work to preserve the wasted dignity of Egyptians abroad, he said. According to Eid, the Saudi foreign office spokesman told the press that the responsibility lies on the Egyptian embassy in Riyadh, adding that protesting against Egyptian rights wasted in Saudi may affect Saudi tourism in Egypt. "This statement indicates a tone more akin to extortion. It is our right to know the reasons behind his arrest and kidnapping as there is no complaint filed against him ... He is not known for any political or religious activity. Al-Ashmawy is a computer engineer that worked as a programmer in Yanabee Technology Corp for one year, before being assigned to work on a project for the Saudi Ministry of Defense. According to his family, he was summoned to sign documents at the traffic department but hasn't returned since.
