Delegation Members Illegally Detained at Cairo International Airport, Subjected to Torture, and Facing Deportation
At the call of the People’s Front (Turkey), members of the “Until Victory Delegation” — Eda Deniz Haydaroğlu, İleni Açıkgöz, Derya Devrim Özçelik, Berivan Gel, Yıldıray Yetik, Hasip Kıvrakdal, Sevil Sevimli, and Konstantina Kartsiotsi — were detained under torture on Wednesday, October 8, at Cairo International Airport.
Earlier that day, when the delegation departed from Athens Airport bound for Cairo, five members (Eda Deniz Haydaroğlu, Sevil Sevimli, Yıldıray Yetik, Hasip Kıvrakdal, and Derya Devrim Özçelik) were arbitrarily held at passport control for about 45 minutes with no explanation. After being asked a few routine questions, they were released and allowed to board the flight.
The delegation — composed of Turkish revolutionaries holding citizenship in Germany, Austria, France, and the Netherlands, along with Greek citizen and Anti-Imperialist Front member Konstantina Kartsiotsi — arrived in Cairo at 16:20 local time after a delayed flight. At passport control, after explaining their purpose of travel and stating that they intended to cross into Gaza via the Rafah Border Crossing, they were violently detained. For two hours, Egyptian police subjected the group to torture, threats, and insults before taking them into custody.
Currently, the delegation members remain detained inside the police station at Cairo International Airport. We have grave concerns for their safety, as they endured severe torture during their arrest and continue to face mistreatment.
Despite repeated inquiries, no clear information has been provided regarding their legal status. Egyptian authorities refuse to give official statements. According to updates received through their respective embassies, the delegation members are expected to be deported shortly — either to the country they departed from, their country of citizenship, or another country of their choice.
This arbitrary and unlawful detention is unacceptable. The Egyptian government’s actions are part of its collaboration with Israeli Zionism and U.S. imperialism. For two years, Egypt has actively blocked solidarity with the people of Gaza, who continue to suffer under Israeli occupation and blockade, facing genocide, crimes against humanity, and the use of hunger as a weapon. The refusal to open the Rafah Border Crossing — which the delegation demanded — is another clear example of this complicity.
By detaining and torturing the “Until Victory Delegation,” the Egyptian government is attempting to obstruct solidarity with Gaza. Yet no matter what obstacles are placed before us, no barricade can stop our struggle for the life and freedom of the Palestinian people.
We warn the Egyptian authorities: Stop torturing our comrades. Release them immediately.
We call on all people and allies everywhere to take a stand against this arbitrary and brutal repression and to show support for the members of the “Until Victory Delegation.”
What You Can Do:
Call the Egyptian Embassies/Consulates in your country to protest the detention and torture.
Share posts and updates from the delegation’s social media to raise public awareness.
Open the Rafah Border Crossing!
End the occupation, blockade, and genocide against Gaza!
Immediately release the detained members of the “Until Victory Delegation”!
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!
Until Victory Delegation Follow-Up and Coordination Center
