Aya Hegazy’s case validates Trump’s political effectiveness

“Even the president can’t manipulate Egypt’s independent judiciary.” This statement was used often under former President Hosni Mubarak’s rule in response to international appeals to release political prisoners who opposed the regime. But in private, many foreign politicians revealed that, for the most part, they did not accept this assertion’s validity.

Reading Egyptian state newspapers and watching its television channels easily refutes this claim, and Aya Hegazy’s recent release from prison disproves it further. Like millions of young Egyptians in the wake of the Jan. 25, 2011 revolution, Hegazy had caught a glimpse of hope and saw Egypt’s potential to become a democratic and modernized nation.

She came home to contribute to this effort (many Egyptians left the country due to the absence of democracy and genuine modernization). Hegazy distanced herself from any involvement in the political parties and movements that overwhelmed Egypt at that time. Her dream was to provide better shelter for Egyptian street children.

Unlike his predecessor, by working on having Hegazy released from prison then flying her immediately to the US to meet with him, President Donald Trump has clearly succeeded in applying a very effective policy during his first 100 days in office. More of a human rights advocate, Barack Obama often declined to engage with Middle East leaders, leaving the region to struggle on its own.

We do not know the details of Hegazy’s release; the Trump team said the matter would only be discussed behind closed doors. Nevertheless, the pleasant outcome of a prisoner being freed has earned this team some credit and bolstered the US standing as a key regional player.

The Egyptian state has always worked to politically marginalize Egyptians who hold dual nationality, curtailing their political rights by prohibiting their membership in Parliament and barring them from the Cabinet. These policies have kept Egypt from advancing by availing itself of the services of many talented Egyptians with dual nationality. But Hegazy’s release sends a hidden message: Dual nationality is certainly an advantage.

Why would Egyptians with dual nationality be more loyal to their new country of residence, and why would there be a loyalty conflict in the first place? Most Egyptians sympathized with Hegazy’s case, and did not endorse the security apparatus’ allegations against her.

Her persecution discredited the implicit message continuously sent out by the state — that Egyptians are better off staying away from politics — and replaced it with a new one: Nobody is immune from security apparatus allegations. Egyptians who say foreign nations can play a constructive role in helping Egypt become more democratic now have a strong and valid argument.

Meanwhile, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has missed an opportunity to enhance his popularity — not only by not releasing Hegazy earlier, but by not releasing thousands of other youths temporarily detained in prison without having been properly prosecuted.

Such a move could have served to reengage these youths in social development projects. Young people’s ideas, energy and time should be used to add value to our country, yet the state is apparently only concerned with controlling society.

Egypt is struggling with many political and socioeconomic challenges, but we need to ensure that justice is served via proper rule of law, something we have not had for decades and affects every Egyptian. We have been living with poor economic conditions for decades, and we know how to cope with limited incomes. It is the absence of justice that will prompt Egyptians to revolt again.

• Mohammed Nosseir, a liberal politician from Egypt, is a strong advocate of political participation and economic freedom. He can be reached on Twitter @MohammedNosseir.