Statement on the Sentencing of Ismail Alexandrani

The Wilson Center is deeply concerned by the process leading to what appears to be an egregious 10-year prison sentence that an Egyptian military court imposed on Ismail Alexandrani, an Egyptian researcher, investigative journalist, and former Wilson Center Fellow.

We have been in touch with the State Department, which has been closely following Alexandrani’s case since his arrest in 2015. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo has raised it several times with the Egyptian government in the context of human rights concerns.

Our understanding is that the military court sentence for Alexandrani remains subject to confirmation by Egyptian President al-Sisi. We also understand that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence recently phoned President al-Sisi to request the release of non-violent activists currently incarcerated.

The Wilson Center respectfully requests President al-Sisi to stay the sentence of Alexandrani to demonstrate Egypt’s respect for freedom of expression, and assure the international community of its commitment to human rights.
 

Jane Harman, Director, President & CEO
on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Staff and Scholars of
the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars