11 June 2026
The Cairo Criminal Court (Second Circuit) renewed the detention of Mohamed Fathallah Roshdy Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in case No. 2727 of 2023 (State Security). The decision came in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which sets a maximum of two years for pretrial detention.
This is the second case in which Zayan has been included. He was arrested on 15 October 2023 at his home under a warrant for arrest and detention. He was first charged in a case related to collecting powers of attorney for former presidential candidate and opposition figure Ahmed Tantawy, and later added to the current case after publishing a video documenting a conference held by Tantawy in Beni Suef governorate.
Zayan faces charges of participating in a terrorist organization to achieve its aims, publishing and broadcasting false news and statements harmful to public security and order, and using online accounts to disseminate false information.
19 May 2026
Today, The Criminal Court (First Circuit) renewed the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in lawsuit No. 2727 of 2023 (Supreme State Security).
The court’s decision to extend his detention contradicts the Code of Criminal Procedure, which sets a maximum of two years for pretrial detention. Zayan was arrested on 15 October 2023 at his home under an arrest warrant and was initially included in case No. 2255 of 2023 (State Security), over collecting powers of attorney for opposition presidential candidate Ahmed Tantawi.
Later, the prosecution transferred that case files to the current case after confronting Zayan with a video he had recorded of a conference held by Tantawi at Zayan’s residence in Beni Suef. The video was broadcast by a satellite channel, and based on it, Zayan faced charges of participating with a terrorist organization in achieving its aims, publishing and broadcasting false news harmful to public order, and using online accounts to disseminate false information.
15 April 2025
The Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in lawsuit No. 2727 of 2023 (Supreme State Security), despite his absence from the hearing session for the second time, and the fact that his pretrial detention exceeded two years, which is the maximum period specified by the Criminal Procedures Law.
Zayan was convicted in two lawsuits; the first was lawsuit No. 2255 of 2023 (Supreme State Security), against the collection of electoral process papers for former presidential candidate and government opponent Ahmed Tantawy. The prosecution later excluded him from referral to trial in that lawsuit and transferred his papers to the lawsuit in which he is currently held in pretrial detention.
As for the current lawsuit, authorities confronted Zayan with a video of a conference held at his residence in Beni Suef Governorate, documenting a visit by candidate Ahmed Tantawy, which was broadcast by a TV channel. Over on this video, Zayan faced charges of participating with a terrorist group in achieving its objectives, publishing and broadcasting false news and statements that could harm security and public order, and using an account on international information networks for publishing and broadcasting false news and statements.
16 March 2026
The Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in lawsuit No. 2727 of 2023 (Supreme State Security), in violation of the Criminal Procedure Code, which stipulates that pretrial detention cannot legally exceed two years.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, at his home pursuant to an arrest warrant. He was initially charged in lawsuit No. 2255 of 2023 (Supreme State Security), against collecting electoral process papers for former presidential candidate and government opponent Ahmed Tantawy. The prosecution later excluded him from referral to trial in that lawsuit and transferred his papers to the lawsuit in which he is currently held in pretrial detention.
Authorities confronted Zayan with a video of a conference held at his residence in Beni Suef Governorate, documenting a visit by candidate Ahmed Tantawy, which was broadcast by a TV channel. Over on this video, Zayan faced charges of participating with a terrorist group in achieving its objectives, publishing and broadcasting false news and statements that could harm security and public order, and using an account on international information networks for publishing and broadcasting false news and statements.
February 03, 2026
The Cairo Criminal Court (Second Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
December 29, 2025
The Cairo Criminal Court (Second Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
4 February 2025
The Cairo Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
6 January 2025
The Cairo Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
25 November 2024
The Cairo Criminal Court (Second Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Mohammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawy. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
23 October 2024
The Cairo Criminal Court (First Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Muhammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
9 September 2024
The Cairo Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Muhammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
29 July 2024
The Cairo Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Muhammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
He was charged with participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
28 April 2024: Criminal court renewed the detention of Muhammad Zayan for 45 days pending investigations because of a video from a conference of former candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawy
The Cairo Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) renewed the detention of Muhammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security, on charges of participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
26 February 2024
The Cairo Criminal Court (Third Circuit Terrorism) decided to renew the detention of Muhammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 45 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security, on charges of participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
14 February 2024: The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Muhammad Zayan for 15 days pending investigations after confronting him with a video from a conference of former candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawy
The Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to renew the detention of Muhammad Fathallah Rushdi Zayan for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 2727 of 2023, Supreme State Security, on charges of participating with a terrorist group in achieving its goals, publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements that would harm security and public order, and using an account on the internet for the purpose of publishing and broadcasting fake news and statements.
Zayan was arrested on October 15, 2023, from his home in Beni Suef Governorate based on an arrest warrant in another case No. 2255 of 2023, Supreme State Security, the case of electoral process papers of potential candidate Ahmed Al-Tantawi. The prosecution investigated him on the same day, and he was detained pending investigations.
On October 25, 2023, the prosecution excluded him from referral to trial in the electoral process papers case and copied his papers to the case in which he is now being held in pretrial detention.
Zayan was confronted with a video clip that he posted on his Facebook account from the conference of the potential candidate at the time, Ahmed Al-Tantawi, during his visit to Beni Suef Governorate. A TV channel took that video and broadcast it on its screen.
