The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the publications it issued over the past month in addition to the legal updates of lawsuits in which AFTE provides legal support to prisoners of conscience or to academics who were subjected to abuse and security 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]
Publications:
The research paper entitled “From Violating Family Values to Terrorism Charges: How Egyptian Authorities Constrain the Digital Space (TikTok as a Case Study)” examines the escalation of security and judicial prosecutions against social media content creators in Egypt, particularly TikTok users, since 2020. The paper explains how these prosecutions rely on a combination of vague legal provisions, such as articles related to “family values” in the Cybercrime Law, in addition to the usual accusation of violating “public decency”. The paper addresses security practices including arresting citizens and violating their privacy right, in preparation for pretrial detention, as a punishment for expressing critical opinions. Read More
The research paper “Implementation Gap: Freedom of Expression Between International Recommendations and Public Policies in Egypt” examines the clear differences between international recommendations on freedom of expression and the right to access information, received by Egypt under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, and the country’s national policies, legislation, and enforcement practices. The paper notes that while the Egyptian government accepted a significant number of these recommendations, this acceptance has not translated into tangible legislative reforms or effective public policies.
The paper also analyzes the position of freedom of expression and access to information within the National Human Rights Strategy (2021–2026), highlighting that the treatment of these rights is mostly framed in general terms focused on awareness-raising and education, without clear commitments to review restrictive laws or establish measurable implementation indicators.
The paper concludes by proposing several pathways to translate Universal Periodic Review recommendations into actionable policies. These include reforming the legal framework governing freedom of expression, digital and media rights; adopting public policies that promote media pluralism and the free flow of information; and ensuring respect for the rule of law by ending pretrial detention and criminal prosecutions in cases of peaceful expression. Read More
This research paper analyzes how Egyptian authorities handle rumors and false news in the absence of a law regulating the right to access information. The paper reviews the legal framework criminalizing the dissemination of false news, as well as government mechanisms for monitoring and responding to rumors, while highlighting the limited institutional efforts to make official information and data accessible. The paper concludes that the information vacuum and lack of transparency contribute to the spread of rumors, making reliance on sanctions alone insufficient. Read More
Legal Aid
- Amir Sayed Mohamed and Ryad Mohamed Abdel Rahman were released on bail (guaranteed by their place of residence) after spending more than two years in pretrial detention in connection with Case No. 744 of 2023 (Supreme State Security).
- Student Abdelrahman Safwat Mohamedin Hammad was released on bail (guaranteed by his place of residence) after nearly two years in pretrial detention in Case No. 3434 of 2024 (Supreme State Security).
- The detention of Mohamed Mostafa Sayed Saleh was renewed for 45 days on charges of joining a banned group in Case No. 53082 of 2025 (Al-Haram Misdemeanors).
- The trial of Mohamed Omar El-Sayed was adjourned to 12 May 2026 in Case No. 5 of 2022 (Supreme State Security), despite exceeding the legal maximum period of pretrial detention.
- The court accepted the grievance submitted by the defense of student Ahmed El-Sawwaf, deeming the two and a half years he had already spent under police probation sufficient out of the five-year sentence in the “Al-Fath Mosque Events” case.
- A number of Al-Ahly football club supporters were released on bail of EGP 1,000 each pending investigations in Case No. 1742 of 2026 (Nasr City Second Misdemeanors) following the events of the Al-Ahly vs. AS FAR match.
- After nearly five years in pretrial detention, the trial of photojournalist Karim Salem was adjourned to 21 April 2026 to complete trial procedures and review the case exhibits.
- The detention of Osama El-Sheshtawy was renewed for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 8448 of 2025 (Supreme State Security) over protest-related posts on social media.
- Two construction workers from Qalyubia were ordered into 45 days of pretrial detention pending investigations in Case No. 10709 of 2025 (Supreme State Security) on charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.
- The hearing in the case of Marwa Arafa was adjourned to 21 April 2026, after nearly six years in pretrial detention, while she continues to request release due to her health condition.
- The trial of Dr. Ahmed El-Tohamy was adjourned to 11 March 2026 to hear and examine prosecution witnesses, nearly six years after his arrest.
- The trial of Mohamed Ali Ibrahim El-Qassas in his first case was adjourned to 4 May 2026 to continue hearing prosecution witnesses and review case exhibits.
- The detention of Sherif El-Rouby was renewed for 45 days in Case No. 1634 of 2022 (Supreme State Security), while he continues to complain of deteriorating health conditions and denial of medical treatment.
- The hearing of the third case against Mohamed Ali Ibrahim El-Qassas was adjourned to 4 May 2026 due to the defendants’ absence from court and the defense’s insistence on their physical presence.
- The trial of El-Husseiny Fargaly was adjourned to 15 April 2026 to hear the testimony of the investigationinvestigations officer in Case No. 13673 of 2024 (Fifth Settlement Felonies).
