Egypt dissident blames Sisi for ‘law of jungle’

A SENIOR Egyptian opposition figure who was attacked in the street by what he claims were government thugs has warned that the authoritarian rule of President Abdel Fattah el-sisi has “closed all means for peaceful political change” and is making violent resistance more likely.

Hisham Genena had been working with Sami Anan, a retired Egyptian army general who planned to challenge Mr Sisi in this year’s election until he was arrested at gunpoint by the intelligence services.

Then, days after Mr Anan’s arrest on Jan 23, Mr Genena was assaulted in a Cairo street in what was widely seen as the latest and most brutal step in a coordinated campaign to intimidate anyone trying to run against the president.

Mr Genena told The Daily Telegraph he believes Egypt is more repressive today than it was under Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown in the 2011 rising. “I can’t understand: are we living under the rule of law or law of the jungle, where the one who has the power controls everything and can confiscate justice and human rights,” he asked.

While Mr Anan remains in prison, four other potential candidates have been detained, prosecuted or intimidated out of the race. Mr Genena said he fears the clampdown has made it impossible for Egyptians to peacefully protest against government policies.