AFTE’s Newsletter: August 2026

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) shares with you the research papers, reports and 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]

• The Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of Mostafa Ahmed Ramadan for 45 days in the case in which Ramadan is being detained in connection with Facebook posts attributed to him.
• The court also renewed the detention of pharmacist Sari Shaaban Mahmoud for 45 days in the case in which Shaaban is accused in connection with posts on his personal page expressing opinions criticizing rising prices and living conditions, as well as other posts concerning events in Gaza.
• The Cairo Criminal Court also renewed the detention of Mahmoud Gamal Abu Sarea for 45 days, despite the fact that this decision violates Article 143 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which limits the duration of pretrial detention to two years.
• It also renewed the detention of Mohamed Fathy Allah Rushdy Zayan in connection with his support for former presidential candidate and opposition figure Ahmed El-Tantawy.
• The trial session of Omar Mohamed Mohamed El-Dahma and Omar Khaled Ragab was also adjourned until November 8.
• The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of the two brothers, Hassan Saber El-Shazly and Eid Saber El-Shazly, for 15 days, twice during August.
• It also renewed the detention of their two sisters, Eman El-Shazly and Shaimaa El-Shazly, for 15 days in the same case and on the same charges.
• The Supreme State Security Prosecution also renewed the detention of Mohamed Saqr for 15 days, twice during August, in connection with Facebook posts presented to him by the prosecution. The posts contained opinions critical of the economic situation and some criticism of decisions by the Cabinet. Saqr acknowledged that he owned the account from which the posts were published.
• The detention of radio and television presenter and member of the Egyptian Writers Union, Talal Seif, was also renewed twice during August.