18 May 2026
The Cairo Criminal Court today adjourned the trial of political opponent and human rights defender Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Al-Qassas in case No. 977 of 2017 to 20 July 2026, to hear the defense’s pleadings.
The defense insisted on previously raised requests, including the inclusion of an official copy of the verdict issued against Al-Qassas by the Emergency State Security Court, sentencing him to ten years’ imprisonment and five years’ police supervision after release, which was approved by the military governor, in case No. 440 of 2018 (State Security Prosecution).
Al-Qassas was arrested in 2017 during a wide security sweep targeting members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Party and has remained in detention since then.
4 May 2026 “After Nine Years in Detention, Adjournment of Al-Qassas Trial in Two Cases”
The Cairo Criminal Court decided to adjourn the trial of political opponent and human rights defender Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Al-Qassas in case No. 977 of 2017 to May 18, to hear the defense’s pleadings.
The court also postponed his trial in case No. 786 of 2020 to July 18, to hear the prosecution’s arguments. It instructed the prosecution to add documents to the case file and heard testimony from prosecution witnesses, who stated they did not recall the events of the case and adhered to their statements given during the prosecution’s investigations.
These trials come as part of a long series of violations against Al-Qassas, who was arrested in 2017 during a wide security crackdown on members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was charged in case No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekameleen 2” case. After nearly two years in pretrial detention, he was charged in another case with the same charges he had previously faced, which are leading a terrorist organization and publishing and broadcasting false news. He spent about seven months in pretrial detention in this case, registered under No. 1781 of 2019 (State Security).
After being released in his second case, the prosecution included him in case No. 786 of 2020, which he is currently being tried in. In 2021, the State Security Prosecution included Al-Qassas in a fourth case, No. 440 of 2018, which was later referred to the Emergency State Security Court. That court sentenced him to ten years in prison, followed by five years of police probation after serving his sentence.
3 February 2026
The Cairo Criminal Court (First Terrorism Circuit) has adjourned the trial session of Mohammad Ali Ibrahim Al-Qassas to 4 May 2026 to continue hearing and examining the witnesses and to include the case’s evidence.
During today’s session, the court heard the case witnesses after reviewing the prosecution’s referral order, with Al-Qassas denying all charges brought against him.
It is worth noting that Al-Qassas is simultaneously being tried in his third case, No. 786 of 2020, Supreme State Security, which was also referred by the Supreme State Security Prosecution on charges of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its objectives and publishing and broadcasting false news and statements.
The current case, which is his first, dates back to his arrest on 8 February 2018 in front of Al-Rahman Al-Raheem Mosque immediately after attending the wedding of a friend. The prosecution began its investigation on the same day, charging him with joining and financing a terrorist group. He remained in pretrial detention until the prosecution later issued a decision to release him under a residency guarantee.
2 February 2026: Hearing in Al-Qassas’ Third Case Adjourned to 4 May
The Cairo Criminal Court (First Terrorism Circuit) has postponed the hearing of Case No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security) in today’s session, 2 February 2026, to 4 May 2026. The adjournment follows the defendants’ absence from the courtroom and their lawyers’ insistence on their personal attendance to follow the trial proceedings.
The court had previously postponed the case on 8 December 2025 to 2 February 2026 to hear and examine prosecution witnesses, responding to the defense’s request after reviewing the referral order and allowing the defense to obtain an official copy of the case files.
It is worth noting that Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Al-Qassas previously complained about poor detention conditions at the courthouse, known as the “detention cell,” which was recorded in the session minutes, and his defense requested an investigation into the matter.
This is the third case in which Al-Qassas has been held in pretrial detention. He previously spent more than two years in custody in Case No. 977 of 2017 (Supreme State Security) on charges of joining a terrorist organization with knowledge of its objectives and spreading false news. He was later investigated in a new case, No. 1781 of 2019 (Supreme State Security), on the same charges, spending around seven months in pretrial detention before the court issued precautionary measures, which were not implemented, leading to his placement under the current case.
08 December 2025
The First Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court, convened at the Badr Security Complex, decided to adjourn the hearing of Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Al-Qassas in Lawsuit No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security) to the session of 2 February 2026, in order to hear and examine prosecution witnesses, in response to a request submitted by the defense.
The Cairo Court of Appeal had previously scheduled 22 September 2025 as the first session of Al-Qassas’ trial before the First Terrorism Circuit. During that session, the referral order was read out, and the defense requested an adjournment to obtain an official copy of the case file. The court granted the request and adjourned the case to the most recent session.
During the session, Al-Qassas complained of poor conditions at the court’s holding facility (commonly referred to as the “Habs-khana”). His complaint was recorded in the session, and the defense requested that an investigation be opened into these conditions.
This is the third lawsuit in which Al-Qassas has been held in pretrial detention. He was previously detained in Lawsuit No. 977 of 2017 (Supreme State Security) on charges of joining a terrorist organization with knowledge of its objectives, and publishing and disseminating false news and statements. After spending two years in pretrial detention in that lawsuit, the prosecution ordered his release on the guarantee of his place of residence.
However, this decision was not implemented. Instead, he was brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution for questioning in a new lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019 (Supreme State Security), on the same charges as the first lawsuit. After nearly seven months in pretrial detention, the First Terrorism Circuit of the Criminal Court ordered that he be placed under precautionary measures. This decision was also not enforced, and he was instead presented for investigation in the current lawsuit.
13 January 2025
The Supreme State Security Prosecution has referred Mohamed Al-Qassas, Deputy Head of the Strong Egypt Party, to the criminal court on charges of leading a terrorist group with knowledge of its objectives and committing the crime of financing terrorism, with the funding directed to a terrorist group. The defendant has yet to be formally notified of the referral, and no date or chamber has been set for the first trial session.
This decision comes after more than 7 years of pretrial detention for Al-Qassas, which began with his arrest in February 2017 during a large-scale crackdown targeting members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Party.
Al-Qassas’s legal ordeal began with his inclusion as a defendant in Case No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekameleen 2 Case.” He spent nearly 22 months in pretrial detention before the Supreme State Security Prosecution ordered his release. However, only days later, he was rearrested and charged in a second case, No. 1781 of 2019, with the same allegations.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered his release under precautionary measures, but the decision was not implemented. Instead, Al-Qassas was included in a third case, No. 786 of 2020, with the same accusations. In 2021, he was listed in a fourth case, No. 440 of 2018, which was later referred to the Emergency State Security Court. This court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of police probation.
Since his arrest, Al-Qassas has faced accusations of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its objectives, as well as spreading and publishing false news and information.
17 December 2024: After More than 7 Years in Pretrial Detention, Mohamed Al-Qassas’s Detention Renewed in His Third Case
The Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohamed Al-Qassas, vice president of the Strong Egypt Political Party, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit, No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years after the sentence ended.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
9 December 2024
The Criminal Court (Second Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohamed Al-Qassas, vice president of the Strong Egypt Political Party, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit, No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years after the sentence ended.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
22 September 2024
The Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohamed Al-Qassas, vice president of the Strong Egypt Political Party, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit, No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years after the sentence ended.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
11 August 2024
The Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohamed Al-Qassas, vice president of the Strong Egypt Political Party, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit, No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years after the sentence ended.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
29 June 2024: Renewing the Detention of Muhammad Al-Qasas Despite his Lawyer Withdrawn of the Session
The Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohamed Al-Qassas, vice president of the Strong Egypt Political Party, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit, No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
The decision came despite the withdrawal of Al-Qassas’s defense team and the rest of the lawyers present at the session, in objection to the court’s remarks that lawyers would not be able to know if the defendants were there or talk to them.
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years after the sentence ended.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
Criminal Court Renews 7-Year Detention of Strong Egypt Party Vice-President, Mohamed Al-Qassas
24 March 2024
The Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of the Vice-President of the Strong Egypt Political Party, Mohamed Al-Qassas, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years as soon as the prison sentence ended.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
22 November 2023
The Criminal Court (First Circuit) renewed the detention of the Vice-President of the Strong Egypt Political Party, Mohamed Al-Qassas, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years as soon as the prison sentence ends.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
7 October 2023
The Criminal Court (First Circuit) renewed the detention of the Vice-President of the Strong Egypt Political Party, Mohamed Al-Qassas, for 45 days pending his third lawsuit No. 786 of 2020 (Supreme State Security).
Al-Qassas was arrested in February 2017, coinciding with an extensive arrest campaign launched by the security forces against members and leaders of the Strong Egypt Political Party. He was involved as a defendant in his first lawsuit, No. 977 of 2017, known in the media as the “Mekamleen 2 lawsuit.” after nearly 22 months in pretrial detention, the prosecution ordered his release. However, a few days later, the prosecution interrogated and listed him in a second lawsuit, No. 1781 of 2019, over the same accusations he previously faced.
On August 5, 2020, the Criminal Court ordered Al-Qassas to be released with precautionary measures. Still, the decision was not implemented, and for the third time, Al-Qassas was included in lawsuit No. 786 of 2020, and one more time, over the same accusations. In 2021, the Supreme State Security Prosecution listed Al-Qassas in his fourth lawsuit, No. 440 of 2018. It later referred this lawsuit to the Emergency State Security Court, which sentenced Al-Qassas to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years as soon as the prison sentence ends.
Al-Qassas is detained over accusations of being a part of a terrorist group with knowledge of this group’s aims and spreading and publishing false news and information.
Emergency State Security Court sentences Mohamed Al-Qassas to 10 years in prison and five years of police observation
29 May 2022
Today, the Emergency State Security Court sentenced Mohamed Al-Qassas, vice-president of the Strong Egypt Party, to 10 years in heavy prison and police observation for five years as soon as the prison sentence ends.
This came in connection with Case No. 1059 of 2021 (the 5th Settlement Emergency State Security Felonies), in which Al-Qassas is charged with joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its aims.
Last June, the Supreme State Security Prosecution included Al-Qassas in Case No. 440 of 2018 Supreme State Security; after being in pretrial detention for almost four years, the case was referred before the Emergency State Security Court under No. 1059 of 2021.
24 November 2021 “The trial session of Mohamed Al-Qassas adjourned to December 28”
Today, The Criminal Court (Circuit 3 Terrorism) decided to adjourn the trial session of Mohamed Al-Qassas in connection with lawsuit No. 1059 of 2021 (the 5th Settlement Emergency State Security Felonies), to December 28 session for the defense’s panel access to lawsuit papers.
Al-Qassas faces charges of joining a terrorist group, and last June he was rotated for the third time in connection with the current case despite his solitary confinement since 2017.
28 June 2021
Yesterday, The Supreme State Security Prosecution had proceeded with its investigations with “Mohamed Al-Qassas” and decided to include him in Case No. 440 of 2018 Supreme State Security, the defendant’s detention order is due to be implemented after his release pending the current case No. 786 of 2020 Supreme State Security.
“Al-Qassas” is facing charges with joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its aims, and since his arrest in February 2017 in implementation of the public prosecution’s warrant to bring and seize him pending Case No. 977 of 2017 Supreme State Security, to be recycled in three other cases, despite being in solitary confinement.
