Adel Sabry - Imprisoned for managing an independent media platform

Adel Sabry (55) is the editor-in-chief of the independent news website Masr al-Arabia. In April 2018, security forces raided the office, shut down the website, and arrested Adel Sabry in connection to Masr al-Arabia’s critical coverage of the political and human rights situation in Egypt. The prosecution ordered his detention on charges of “membership of a terrorist group” and “publishing false information for the purpose of harming national security” in case 441 of 2018.

On 4 October, the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Adel Sabry for 15 days. On 17 October, the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed his detention for another 15 days. Adel Sabry remains in pre-trial detention.

Ahmed Tarek - Imprisoned for editing a movie

Ahmed Tarek (23) is a video editor. He was arrested at his home by National Security Agents in February 2018 for editing a documentary on the achievements and failures of President Abdelfattah al-Sisi. Ahmed Tarek is charged with “membership of a banned group” and “disseminating false information" in case 467 of 2018.

On 24 November, the South Cairo Criminal Court extended the pre-trial detention of Ahmed Tarek for 45 days. On 9 January, the court renewed his pre-trial detention for another 45 days.

Amal Fathy - Imprisoned for denouncing sexual harassment

Amal Fathy (34) posted a video on Facebook criticizing the government for failing to tackle sexual harassment. In May 2018, police raided Amal’s home in the middle of the night and detained her, along with her husband and child. Her family was released, but Amal stayed in prison facing charges in two separate cases. In case 7991 of 2018, Amal Fathy was charged with “disseminating false news for the purpose of harming public peace”, “possession of indecent material” and “use of insulting language.” In case 621 of 2018, she was charged with “membership of a terrorist group,” among other offences.

On 29 September, the Maadi Misdemeanour Court of Appeals sentenced Amal Fathy to two years in prison and a fine of 10,000 EGP (560 USD) in the first case. The bail for her sentence was set at 20,000 EGP (1,120 USD). The first appeals hearing was set for 25 November. In the second case, the State Security prosecutor renewed Amal Fathy’s detention for 15 more days on 14 October. Her lawyer appealed the decision. On 25 November, the Maadi Misdemeanour Court of Appeals set 30 December as the date for issuing the verdict in Amal Fathy’s case number 7991 of 2018.

On 27 December, Amal was released on probation in case 621 of 2018. The conditions of probation required her to spend an hour at a police station on a weekly basis and confined her to her place of residence except for when she needs to attend medical appointments. Three days later, on 30 December, an Egyptian court upheld the two-year prison sentence against Amal Fathy in the first case. She is currently under house arrest and could be arrested at any time.

Hassan al-Banna - Imprisoned for walking with his friend

Hassan al-Banna (26) is a journalist. In February 2018, he and his colleague Mustafa al-Aassar were arrested while on their way to work. The prosecution ordered Hassan al-Banna’s detention on charges of “membership of a banned group” and “disseminating false information for the purpose of harming national security” in case 441 of 2018, solely because he was with Mustafa al-Aassar at the time, who was arrested for producing a documentary.

On 3 October, the Giza Criminal Court decided to renew Hassan al-Banna’s pre-trial detention for 45 days. On 3 October, the Giza Criminal Court renewed his pre-trial detention for another 45 days. On 17 November, the Cairo Criminal Court renewed his pre-trial custody for another 45 days. On 9 January, the court renewed his pre-trial detention for another 45 days.

Haytham Mohamadeen - Imprisoned because of his history of activism

Haytham Mohamadeen is a labour and human rights lawyer. He was arrested in his home in May 2018 and charged with “membership of a terrorist group, inciting unauthorized protests and disrupting public facilities”, because of his suspected involvement in a protest against rising prices of metro tickets. 

On 26 September, the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Haytham Mohamadeen for 15 days. On 8 October, the Supreme State Security Prosecution appealed a decision to conditionally release Haytham Mohamadeen issued by the Giza Criminal Court earlier that day. On 10 October, the Giza Criminal Court rejected the State Security's appeal confirming the release decision of Haytham Mohamadeen on probation. On 30 October, Haytham Mohamadeen was released conditionally; the terms of the release required him to report to a local police station 12 hours every day. On 19 November, these terms were extended for 45 days, before they were amended again on 5 January. Haytham Mohamadeen is now required to report to a local police station once a week.

Hisham Genena - Imprisoned for giving an interview

Hisham Genena (63) is a former top auditor and anti-corruption official, who was sacked after exposing massive government corruption. In January 2018, he gave an interview where he publicly voiced support for a candidate running against President Abdelfattah al-Sisi in Egypt’s presidential elections. Soon after, he was badly beaten outside his home. He was then arrested in February and is now serving a 5-year prison sentence after an unfair military trial.

On 5 December, a military court postponed the hearing of Hisham Genena’s appeal of the five-year sentence to 30 December. On 30 December, the court postponed the hearing of his appeal to 9 January. He remains in detention.

Moataz Wadnan - Imprisoned for conducting an interview

Moataz Wadnan (37) is a journalist. On 16 February, security forces arrested him for conducting an interview with former anti-corruption official Hisham Genena, in which the latter criticized the authorities’ interference in the 2018 presidential elections. The prosecution ordered Moataz Wadnan’s detention on charges of “membership of a terrorist group” and “disseminating false information for the purpose of harming national security”. 

On 9 October, the Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of Moataz Wadnan for 45 days. He remains in pre-trial custody.

Mustafa al-Aasar - Imprisoned for working on a documentary

Mustafa al-Aassar (25) is a journalist. I In February 2018, he was arrested for working on a documentary on Egypt’s “democratic transition”. The prosecution ordered his detention on charges of “membership of a banned group” and “disseminating false information for the purpose of harming national security” in case 441 of 2018. 

On 17 November, the Cairo Criminal Court renewed the remand of Mustafa al-Aassar for 45 days. On 9 January, the court renewed his pre-trial detention for another 45 days.

Shady Abu Zeid - Imprisoned because of a satirical video

 Shady Abu Zeid is a satirical blogger and former correspondent of a popular satirical talk show. On 6 May, security forces arrested Shady Abu Zeid from his home. Prosecutors ordered his pre-trial detention pending investigation into charges of “membership of a banned group” and “disseminating false news”. His detention has been related to a satirical Facebook page he runs called “Rich Content” in which he publishes videos discussing social and political topics in a satirical manner.

On 29 September, the Cairo Criminal Court decided to renew the detention of Shady Abu Zeid for 45 days. On 26 December, the court renewed his pre-trial detention for another 45 days. On 13 January, State Security Prosecution approved a request of his lawyers for a temporary release order allowing Shady Abu Zeid to attend his father’s funeral.

Shady al-Ghazali - Imprisoned because of his political activism

Shady al-Ghazali (39) is a doctor and political activist. He was arrested in May 2018 and charged with “membership in a banned group” and “spreading false information” for his critical writings on his Facebook page. On 25 September, the Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed the detention of Shady al-Ghazali for 15 days. On 16 October, a criminal court renewed the detention of Shady al-Ghazali for 45 days, pending further investigations into charges of “membership of a banned group” and “disseminating false news”.

On 24 November, the court extended his detention for 45 additional days. On 10 December, the North Cairo Criminal Court refused Shady al-Ghazali’s appeal of the extension of his remand for 45 days. On 9 January, the court renewed his pre-trial detention for another 45 days.

Wael Abbas - Imprisoned for journalistic work

Wael Abbas (43) is an award-winning blogger known globally for documenting abuses by Egyptian security forces. In May 2018, his house was raided by armed police and he was blindfolded and arrested. He is facing charges of “membership of a banned group” and “disseminating false information for the purpose of harming national security”. On 2 October, the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to renew the detention of Wael Abbas for 15 days pending investigations. On 16 October, State Security prosecutor extended his detention for 45 days.

On 1 December, the Giza Criminal Court issued an order to release Abbas on probation. Although the State Security Prosecution appealed against this decision, on 3 December, the Giza Criminal Court upheld its earlier order for conditional release. Wael Abbas was released on probation on the night of 11 December and must report to a nearby police station for four hours twice a week. On 15 January, the probation terms were reduced: Wael Abbas now has to report to a police station once a week for two hours.