Egypt’s first democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi, who was dismissed from office during the coup, has been detained since 2013.
Morsi, who has not been allowed to see his family for four years, is being tried for many crimes attributed to him.
Morsi, who has struggled with such unjust cases and difficult circumstances, was allowed a visited by his family for the first time in four years at the Tara Prison. His younger son Abdullah Morsi, daughter Shayma Morsi and wife Nejla Ali Mahmud were granted permission to see Morsi for an hour in a visit accompanied by the family lawyer, Abdulmunim Abdulmaksud.
According to a Turkish website, Abdullah Morsi spoke with Gerçek Kayat magazine writer Emeti Saruhan after seeing his father on June 11.
You haven’t seen your father for about four years. Have you been able to communicate with him during this period?
As the family of President Mohammad Morsi, we have not seen him since November 2013, when the coup soldiers abducted him in Nov. 2013. Although we have repeatedly demanded for our right to see him, they did not give us permission until Sunday.
How was your father when you saw him? Was his health and morale in good order?
Four years later, on Sunday we saw him. His health was good, until yesterday. We learned that he fainted yesterday and entered a diabetic coma. This is a very dangerous situation in terms of health.
How are the prison conditions?
My father abstains from eating prison food. This is not a strike, but he prefers not to eat. We will initiate all necessary legal actions to protect his health.
What did you talk about? Does he have a message?
He is very clear in his stance against the coup and his attitude is as determined as on the first day, praying for the homeland, for the Egyptians and for the difficult situation of the Egyptians. But my father’s situation is not the only issue that worries us.
What else are you worried about?
About my brother Usame. He was arrested for groundless reasons. We have not seen him in months. He is being held at the “Scorpion Prison,” which is infamous for its use of torture. What’s being done to us is oppression and persecution. We are calling all institutions and organizations that deal with human rights in the world, especially the United Nations: Your conscience should feel responsible for these things. What we are asking for is a right, not a favor. It is a right outlined in all constitutions and in the International Court of Justice.
What does your mother and siblings say?
My father and his family does not recognize the coup and the decisions taken since Jul. 3 2013.
