US Representative Don Beyer called on Egyptian authorities to immediately release Aya Hegazy, the founder of Beladi Foundation for Street Children, who has been detained for over a year, along with her husband, pending trial. The US representative met with Hegazy’s family on Thursday to discuss the conditions of their daughter’s detention. Beyer said: “No evidence has been produced to support the allegations’’ levelled against Hegazy, adding that the “prolonged detention violates Egypt’s own laws guaranteeing a speedy trial”. The Beladi Foundation was established with the aim of providing shelter for street children, developing their skills, and securing a safe environment for them, according to the foundation’s statement released following the arrests. Hegazy, born and raised in Falls Church, Virginia, has both American and Egyptian citizenship.

Source: Daily News Egypt September 16, 2016 21:00 UTC