Despite Detention for 8 Years, Hamdi Hassan Is Still Remembered for His Struggle and Good Deeds

Former Egyptian parliamentarian Dr. Hamdi Hassan died in al-Aqrab (Scorpion) prison, said We Register, an international human rights platform.

“His body was handed over to his family and buried amid strict security measures,” the organization said.

“His death brings the number of deaths inside detention centers to 5 detainees in November. It is reported that he was arrested on August 19, 2013, and several prison sentences were issued against him,” it added.

 

Early Life

Hamdi Hassan was born and raised in Alexandria in 1956, where he attended all of his school stages there, he then obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, in 1981. He also holds a diploma in ENT in 1993 from Mansoura Medical College.

The years 1992-1996 witnessed his first participation in political life, winning the local council in his region. Afterwards he was a member of parliament from 2000 till 2010.

Moreover, he was a member in several organizations throughout his lifetime, most notably:  The Arab Doctors Union, the Beirut-based International Association of Parliamentarians defending the Palestinian Cause, the Coordinating Committee between Trade Unions, the Rapporteur of the National Action Committee of the Doctors' Union, the National Alliance for Reform, the Egyptian Council for Culture and Development, and many others.

In the 25th January revolution, he was one of the first people who marched in demonstrations and protests, he was always seen at the fronts of the demonstrations, encouraging youth and leading the marches, even chanting and speaking out.

 

Imprisonment

After the military coup of 2013 against Mohamed Morsi, Hamdi Hassan returned to his normal life, working as a doctor in his clinic, but in August 2013 he was arrested from his work and detained till he died on November 25, 2021.

Firstly, the authorities detained him in Borj al-Arab prison in Alexandria, where he was beaten severely until he fell to the ground, wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom, and was put in solitary confinement.

He then pleaded not guilty in his case, and although he was supposed to be released, Sisi’s police dragged him in another case in 2015, which had him transferred to al-Aqrab (Scorpion) prison.

Since he was moved to the Scorpion prison, familial visits were banned and he didn’t see any member of his family until his death due to medical negligence.

His son, Baraa, said that his father did not even know he had a granddaughter born recently.

Baraa, who currently lives in exile for security reasons, wrote on his Facebook page: “We count my precious father a martyr to God. God released him after 8 years in the prisons of the oppressors. They denied him visits for nearly 5 years.”

“My father lived strong, and was imprisoned as a hero, and died as a martyr, hopefully,” he added.

“They deprived you [his father] of a funeral prayer that we wished for, so I think that your lovers and friends everywhere will not deprive you on Friday the 'Prayer of the absent' and the prayer for you that God accepts you as a martyr and avenges your killers,” he said.

After his death, security forces contacted Hamdi’s wife and told her to bury him silently, with a funeral attendance of no more than 10 people.

Despite this restriction, people from several countries of the world, in the US, Turkey, and Gulf states, prayed for him.

 

Legacy

Former PM Mahmoud Ateya said that Hamdi Hassan was exceptional in his ten years as a PM, he always raised serious issues like ministers’ corruption, bird flu, and money laundering in Toshka.

In a single incident, Ateya recalls back in 2008 when exam papers were leaked in Hassan’s electoral circle, he went to Alexandria’s governor and summoned the head of the educational ministry in his region to investigate the issue, he always cared for children and students even with no media coverage.

Even with his opponents, in 2010 Kamal al-Shazly, former spokesman of the ruling National Party, asked Hassan to pray for him because the former was sick, he did not reply but with good words and warm heart, praying that al-Shazly will get better soon.

In an interview with Al-Estiklal, Ahmed Basel, one of the residents in Hassan’s region said: “The death of Dr. Hamdi Hassan is tragic and even more tragic for everyone who has ever dealt with him.”

“He was a noble person, I remember how every year Egyptian parliamentary members had Umrah visas to Saudi Arabia for them and their families, but Hamdi Hassan always donated the visas for poor people in his circle, he regulated an annual lottery and whoever won gave them the visas,” he said during his speech with Al-Estiklal.

“In 2010 a strange thing happened, the first winner Hamdi’s annual lottery was a Christian called Salah Bakhit Mahrous, and the coptic man said after winning the competition that he will dedicate this award to his Muslim neighbour; this was a sign of how Hassan Hamdi was populary loved and accepted,” he recalled.

Another witness of Hassan’s giving, Kamal Osman, said to Al-Estiklal: “Hamdi Hassan was seeking good in every step he took, he suffered the harm, exhaustion, accusations, but that did not dissuade him from his determination one day.”

“Hassan Hamdi was open to all political factions, sometimes we forgot that he was a Muslim Brotherhood member and just saw a loyal Egyptian working for his people and country. In 2009, he participated in a conference organized by the 6th April movement, criticizing the regime, calling for ending the emergency state and military trials,” Osman said.

“He accepted everyone and tolerated every incident, all of our neighbors in my circle love him for his long history of struggling for the poor and those in need,” he concluded his memories with Al-Estiklal.