The new decision of the Ministry of the Interior … does not take measures to extend detention except for serious crimes

Series of steps:

The Ministry of Interior issued a circular to its police forces, asking them to redouble their efforts and be prepared to strengthen the implementation of the law, safeguard the rights and freedoms of citizens, maintain security and order, combat all forms of crime, and respond to security and economic challenges, in accordance with the relevant duties of the internal security forces.

The notice stressed the need to continue to receive citizens in the best possible way, especially those who are victims of various crimes or attacks, and to respect the statutory deadlines for arrest and investigation, in addition to constructive cooperation with the judicial system, except for serious criminal offenses, to request extensions of investigation time, and to comply with all decisions and notifications related to this matter, and to complete the substantive and formal conditions of seizure and investigation.

The notice pointed out that it is necessary to comply with the laws that protect the rights of arrested criminal suspects, especially to inform their families of the whereabouts of the arrested person and avoid using torture to extract confessions during the investigation process, as these practices violate the provisions of Article 53 of the Constitution and Law No. 16 of 2022, which criminalize all forms of torture and impose severe criminal penalties on the perpetrators.

The ministry also called for information received from informants, ex-offenders and arresting officers to be taken seriously during the investigation and its authenticity to be verified before any action is taken so that innocent citizens are not implicated. Efforts should be stepped up to combat some of the recent crimes; in particular, theft of electrical and telephone wires, theft of cars and houses, and pickpocketing and robbery using smuggled motorcycles.

The ministry stressed the need to monitor and control migrant smuggling networks that take advantage of the need of some citizens to travel illegally, and to intensify patrols, especially in border areas where drug shipments may enter and in areas where narcotic drugs may be promoted and abused in the country.