An Australian man being detained in Cairo should be notified within the next fortnight whether or not he’ll be charged with an offence, authorities say.
Safaa Al Awadi was detained reportedly for insulting religion and denying the tenets of faith following a television debate in Egypt.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) official told a budget estimates hearing on Monday that consular officials had spoken with the West Australian on five occasions since his detention.
“Mr Al Awadi is still undergoing a process of investigation by Egyptian authorities,” department first assistant secretary James Batley said.
“He hasn’t formally been charged yet.”
Mr Batley said Mr Al Awadi was last questioned by Egyptian authorities on Sunday, and there could be further questioning to come.
“He should be notified, we understand, within the next two weeks whether he’s likely to be charged or released.”
DFAT has organised a number of telephone calls from Mr Al Awadi to his family in Australia “and generally reassured ourselves as to his welfare and well-being”, Mr Batley said.