The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the statements issued over the past month, along with legal updates on cases in which AFTE provides legal support to prisoners of conscience, as well as academics who have faced harassment and security-related prosecutions for expressing their opinions.
We always welcome any inquiries or clarifications from everyone, through our social media platforms, or via the following email: [email protected]
Advocacy
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression called on the Public Prosecution in a statement to revoke its decision to place researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy on the travel‑ban lists, after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in Santawy’s favor and annulled the travel ban, considering freedom of movement a natural right that falls within the scope of public freedoms. AFTE also expressed concern about the possibility of reusing charges that have already been adjudicated.
In another statement, AFTE condemned the continued detention of poet Galal El-Behairy that lasted for more than eight years pending different lawsuits, AFTE submitted two petitions to the Public Prosecutor demanding the immediate release of El-Behairy and correction of procedural irregularities in his cases, noting that the Supreme State Security Prosecution referred him in August to criminal trial in two lawsuits but did not send the case files to the competent Court of Appeal to set the chamber and trial date, resulting in his continued detention instead of going with the legal procedures.
AFTE cosigned a joint statement along with members and partners of IFEX and the Global Forum for Media Development to condemn Zambia’s last‑minute cancellation of RightsCon 2026, reportedly under pressure from China over Taiwanese delegates, as a serious violation of freedom of assembly, press freedom, and open civic space that undermines UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day events, fragments an already strained media and digital‑rights ecosystem, and chills collective action.
Legal Aid
During May, the date for pronouncing the verdict in the case of prominent political activist Ahmed Douma was set; the Cairo Court of Appeal scheduled the trial of poet Galal El-Behairy; the trials of six defendants, notably activist Mohamed Al‑Qassas and cartoonist Ashraf Omar, were adjourned; and the detention of 12 defendants was renewed.
- The New Cairo Misdemeanor Court set 3 June as the date for pronouncing the verdict in the case in which prominent political activist Ahmed Douma is accused, over an article he published.
- After more than seven months of legal neglect, and in response to petitions from the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression to the Public Prosecutor, the Cairo Court of Appeal set 10 June for the start of the first trial session of poet Galal El-behairy in his first case, and 6 June for the start of the first session in his second case.
- The detention of Sayed Meshagheb and five others was renewed after they were arrested while celebrating his release following 11 years in prison.
- The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Mostafa Ahmed Ramadan Tawfiq, who is suspected of having bladder cancer, twice during May; he had been allowed medical tests only after months of delay.
- The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of lawyer Mohamed Ibrahim Soliman, who was arrested over posts on his Facebook account in which he discussed political and economic conditions.
- The detention of a member of the LGBT community was also renewed twice over his publication of a story about being tortured in a police station.
- The Cairo Court of Appeal set 7 June to begin proceedings against Omar Mohamed Mohamed al-Dahma, after more than five months of legal neglect.
- The prosecution renewed the detention of worker Ahmed Ali al-Sayed twice on charges of spreading false news.
- The detention of pharmacist Sari Shaban Mahmoud was renewed over posts on his personal Facebook account addressing rising prices and living conditions, and others related to the events in Gaza.
- The Cairo Criminal Court postponed the trial of opposition politician and human rights defender Mohamed Ali Ibrahim al-Qassas to 20 July.
- The Administrative Court will issue a verdict on the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression’s lawsuit demanding that the Actors’ Syndicate register its client as an active member on 28 June.
- The trial of cartoonist Ashraf Omar and journalist Ramadan Gouida was adjourned to 13 July.
- The Criminal Court postponed looking into Mohamed Amer’s appeal against a ten‑year prison sentence to 13 July.
- The trial of Mohamed Omar al‑Sayed over accusations of joining a terrorist group was postponed to 25 July.
- The Cairo Criminal Court postponed the trial of Khaled Abdelwahid Amin, a member of Ahmed al‑Tantawy’s presidential campaign, to 13 June.- After his arrest at a match between Al Ahly and Haras El Hodoud, El‑Imbabi’s trial was postponed to 13 June.
- The Criminal Court renewed the detention of Mohamed Fathallah Rushdi Zayan over collecting powers of attorney for the former presidential candidate and regime opponent Ahmed al‑Tantawy.
- Administrative Court to Examine Ministry of Higher Education Appeal against ruling to promote Manar El‑Tantawy for security reasons on June 20
