Galal is the author of the books Chairs Factory (Masna’a El Karasy) published in 2015 and Colorful Prison (Segn Bel Alwan), 2017. He has written many lyrics for renowned Egyptian musician Ramy Essam – who is an important figure of the 2011 Revolution movement in Egypt – among them one of his biggest hits Segn Bel Alwan. Most recently the two collaborated on the hit song Balaha. The song criticises the current state of the economy and levels of corruption in Egypt. Two days after the release of Balaha, on 28 February, Egyptian Minister of Culture Enas Abdel Dayem publicly denounced El-Behairy on live television, specifically noting the book of poetry, The Finest Women on Earth. Three days later, on 3 March, he was arrested at the Cairo airport and his family did not know of his whereabouts for a full week until he appeared before the High State Security Prosecution. He exhibited signs of severe beating and torture. The Prosecution ordered him to undergo a forensic medical examination, however, the findings of the examination have yet to be shared with either the public or his lawyers. AGL started an urgent appeal procedure before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention among other actions at the international level. Read the communication here.
Read more about Galal’s case here:
Intervention Team:
- Legal Strategy and International Representation: AGL
- Liaison: Sanni Kahilainen and Ramy Essam
- Criminal Defense: Mokhtar Mounir
- Partner Organisation: Perpetuum Mobile
Special note of thanks to the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Karima Bennoune for her continuous support, and to Artists-at-Risk Connection for their tireless work on this case.