A/HRC/48/28 detention arbitrary in August 2017.259 The opinion was mentioned during an Arabic television segment of Al Arabi on his case in December 2018. Following the broadcast, which featured his lawyer and sister, Mr. Mekkaoui, as an alleged act of reprisal, was moved to solitary confinement and was put in an underground cell, without natural day light, and prevented from contacting his family by telephone. In March 2019, the Public Prosecution initiated new legal proceedings against Mr. Mekkaoui, his sister, his lawyer, as well as his nephew who raised his case on Facebook, accusing them of “misrepresentation and incitement against the UAE”. It was reported to OHCHR that in May 2021 Mr. Mekkaoui remained in detention without in-person contact with his family since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020. As of February 2021, he was reportedly able to make brief monitored one- to two-minute calls to his family a few times a month. His physical and mental health is reportedly in critical condition. 139. On 17 August 2021, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report, noting the importance of credible information pertaining to the allegations. The Government stated that all the below-mentioned individuals are being tested regularly for and have been offered a vaccine for COVID-19. Regarding the case of Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, the Government reaffirmed that Mr. Mansoor has access to appropriate health care and is entitled to regular medical examinations, most recently on 27 July 2021. Due to health and safety restrictions necessitated by the pandemic, Mr. Mansoor’s recent communication with his family has occurred through telephone calls, most recently with his wife on 5 August 2021. 140. Regarding Ms. Maryam Soulayman Al-Ballushi, the Government stated that following a fair trial and careful examination of the evidence, on 28 April 2021 she was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for the offence of publishing information that disturbs the public order (case no. 61 for the year 2021) and has chosen not to exercise her right to appeal. Ms. Al-Ballushi is entitled to regular medical examinations, most recently on 9 August 2021, and had her most recent telephone call with her family on 9 August 2021. 141. Regarding the case of Ms. Amina Alabduli, the Government stated that following a fair trial and careful examination of the evidence, on 28 April 2021 she was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for the offence of publishing information that disturbs the public order (case no. 60 for the year 2021) and has chosen not to exercise her right to appeal. Ms. Alabduli is entitled to regular medical examinations, her most recent on 4 August 2021, and has declined to make or receive any telephone calls. Regarding the case of Mr. Ahmad Ali Mekkaoui, the Government confirms he is entitled to regular medical examinations, his most recent on 1 August 2021, and most recently had a telephone call with his family on 8 August 2021. 26. Venezuela 142. The case of judge Ms. Lourdes Afiuni was included in the 2020 and 2019 reports of the Secretary-General, 260 as well as in previous reports since 2010 261 on allegations of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment following a decision passed in her capacity as judge on the basis of a Working Group on Arbitrary Detention opinion (No. 10/2009). On 4 July 2019, Ms. Afiuni was granted a conditional release. On 25 January 2021, special procedures mandate holders addressed the alleged judicial harassment against Ms. Afiuni in relation to the exercise of her jurisdictional function as Judge of the 31st Control Court of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. 143. On 8 November 2020, the Criminal Cassation Chamber of the Supreme Court resolved to dismiss Ms. Afiuni’s appeal for being allegedly “manifestly unfounded” and confirmed her five-year imprisonment sentence. The Judge is yet to determine whether her 259 260 261 A/HRC/WGAD/2017/47, paras. 23, 34. A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, paras. 139–140; A/HRC/42/30, para. 82 and Annex II, para. 109. A/HRC/33/19, para. 45; A/HRC/30/29, Annex, para. 7; A/HRC/27/38, para. 46; A/HRC/14/19, paras 45–47. 79