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.
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Publications
The paper examines the arrest of six journalists who make up the entire editorial team of the fact-checking platform “Matsadaqsh.” It documents the legal violations accompanying their arrests, most notably the raids on their homes, the confiscation of electronic devices, the concealment of their places of detention, and the denial of access to their lawyers and families. It also challenges the accusations brought against them and examines the legality of their arrest and detention in light of constitutional and legal safeguards. Furthermore, the paper highlights the lack of union protection for journalists working for digital platforms. It concludes by calling for the release of the six journalists, disclosure of their places of detention, investigations into the violations accompanying their arrests, and the provision of union protection for digital journalists. Read more.
The paper examines the cases of four journalists, Khaled Mamdouh, Hamdy El-Zaeem, Ashraf Omar and Yasser Abu Al-Ela, by tracing the course of their cases from the investigation stage through referral to trial, drawing on interviews with their lawyers and an analysis of relevant legislation and international standards. It documents their prolonged pretrial detention despite the limited scope of investigations, and explains that the referral of their cases to trial has done little to alleviate their situation, as they remain in detention and the defense has faced delays in gaining access to case files, hindering its ability to prepare for trial. The paper also discusses the legal challenges surrounding the continuation of pretrial detention after referral to trial and the extent to which fair trial guarantees are upheld. It concludes with recommendations, including the release of those who have exceeded the legal limits for pretrial detention, ensuring timely access to case files for defense lawyers, and guaranteeing meaningful, reasoned judicial review of decisions to extend pretrial detention. Read More.
Advocacy
This joint statement addresses the referral of Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent news website Mada Masr, to trial on charges of operating a website without a license and publishing false news. It outlines the circumstances surrounding her investigation and the steps taken by Mada Masr to obtain a license since 2018, without receiving a response from the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, as well as the legal proceedings related to the rejection of its licensing applications. The statement links her referral to the recent escalation of pressure against independent media in Egypt, including the arrest of the entire editorial team of the fact-checking platform “Matsadaqsh,” and warns of the implications for the future of independent media and civil society. The signatories call for an end to the prosecution of Lina Attalah, the granting of a license to Mada Masr in accordance with the law, an end to targeting independent media organizations, and the release of journalists detained in connection with their work. Read More.
The joint statement condemns the ruling issued against Lina Attalah. The ruling imposed a fine of EGP 3 million, ordered the website’s closure, and mandated the confiscation of its equipment, following charges of operating the website without a license. The statement documents the escalation of measures targeting independent journalism, culminating in Attalah’s trial, which it says was marred by violations of fair trial guarantees, including restrictions on journalists’ attendance and the defense’s inability to submit its requests. It also refers to a previous in absentia sentence of one year in prison against Attalah in a separate case, and notes that her defense team intends to appeal the rulings against her. The signatories call on the Egyptian authorities to allow Mada Masr to continue operating, end the targeting of journalists and independent media organizations, grant licenses without discrimination, and release journalists detained in connection with their work. Read More.
Legal Aid
Journalist Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, was referred to trial in Case No. 9072 of 2026 (Supreme State Security Case Register), on charges of managing a website without a license and publishing false news. This followed an investigation lasting more than six hours, after which she was released on bail of EGP 100,000 on October 21, 2026.On October 22, the Supreme State Security Prosecution referred her to the New Cairo Misdemeanor Court, which ruled on October 27 to fine her EGP 3 million, shut down the website, and confiscate its equipment and devices.The trial proceedings witnessed a dispute between the court and the defense team after the court rejected requests to review the case documents, include licensing documents in the case file, and hear witnesses. The court subsequently appointed a lawyer to represent Attalah despite objections from both Attalah and her original lawyer. The court issued its ruling without allowing the original defense team to present its arguments on the merits of the charges.
On November 2, a hearing was scheduled for November 25 to consider the appeal against the ruling.
The court renewed Mahmoud Gamal Abu Sarea’s pretrial detention for 45 days. He was arrested in December 2023 at Borg El Arab Airport upon returning from abroad. The renewal decision was issued despite the defense’s argument that the statutory maximum period of pretrial detention had been exceeded.
The court renewed Mostafa Ahmed Ramadan’s detention for an additional 45 days over Facebook posts attributed to him, following his arrest from his home in February 2026. He had experienced health complications since his arrest, including blood in his urine and stool, as well as a skin rash.
On the same day, the court renewed the detention of pharmacist Sary Shaaban Mahmoud, who faces charges related to posts on his personal Facebook page expressing criticism of rising prices and living conditions, in addition to posts concerning developments in Gaza.
In a related development, the Cairo Criminal Court adjourned hearings in two cases involving charges of joining terrorist groups and publishing and disseminating false news and statements, to subsequent sessions to complete trial proceedings. One case involves defendant Mohamed Omar El-Sayed, while the other involves photojournalist Hamdy Mokhtar Ali Mohamed, known as Hamdy El-Za’eem, and Alaa Mansour Seif El-Nasr Mahmoud.The Public Prosecution has extended the detention of broadcaster Talal Mohammed Abdul Aal Saif, while he continues to be denied access to the prison hospital for a medical examination. The defense has requested that his medical records be included in the case file.
The Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the case involving Khaled Abdel Wahed Amin, a member of former presidential candidate Ahmed El-Tantawy’s campaign, until December 5. Previous hearings had been postponed due to some defendants’ inability to attend. Amin was arrested at his home in August 2023 and faces charges of joining a terrorist group and publishing false news.
The court also adjourned the case involving football fan Ismail El-Embaby until December 5. He was arrested after attending a football match between Al Ahly and Haras El Hodoud and was held at an undisclosed location, unknown to his family, until he appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in July 2023. He faces charges related to terrorism, financing a terrorist group, and publishing false news, all of which he has denied.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the pretrial detention of sisters Iman and Shaimaa El-Shazly, sisters of blogger and government critic Mona El-Shazly, for 15 days. Both face charges related to terrorism and publishing false news.
The prosecution also renewed the detention of Abdullah Omar, an Al-Azhar University student at the Faculty of Agriculture, in connection with his alleged membership in a group on the Discord platform, according to the investigation’s findings. He was arrested at his home in May and faces charges of joining and financing a terrorist group and publishing false news, despite reportedly not having interacted with the group’s content.
The Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the trial of poet Galal El-Behairy to hear and question prosecution witnesses, as some defendants were unable to attend. El-Behairy faces charges in this case and another case involving joining and financing a terrorist group and disseminating false news. The second case remains scheduled for consideration on November 24.
The Cairo Criminal Court acquitted Sayed Mashagheb and his companions, who had celebrated his release after six months in detention. Mashagheb had been arrested approximately an hour and a half after his release in connection with a separate case, following celebrations with his friends marking his freedom after 11 years in prison.
The First Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the trial of translator and activist Marwa Arafa until December 21 to allow the defense to complete its pleadings. Arafa was referred to trial after being detained since April 2020. She had previously requested release to enable her to continue receiving medical treatment and care for her daughter, following nearly six years in pretrial detention.
The Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the trial of politician and human rights defender Mohamed El-Qassas until December 22 to allow the defense to complete its pleadings. El-Qassas faces similar charges in another case and has remained in detention since 2017. He was also previously sentenced to 10 years in prison and five years of police surveillance in a third case.
The Cairo Criminal Court renewed Mohamed Saqr’s pretrial detention for 45 days over Facebook posts criticizing economic conditions and Cabinet decisions.
The Cairo Criminal Court adjourned the trial of Mohamed Khalil Saeed until December 28, 2026, to hear and question the investigating officer. Khalil faces charges of joining and financing a terrorist group. He was arrested in January 2025 and held at an undisclosed location, unknown to his family, until he appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in July of the same year.
The Disciplinary Board for Faculty Members at Cairo University adjourned the hearing in the case concerning the suspension of Dr. Walid El Hamamsy, a lecturer in the English Department at the Faculty of Arts, until December 7, for pleadings.
