The crackdown on freedom of expression under Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi is at its worst in the country’s modern history, reaching levels of unprecedented severity.

It is currently more dangerous to criticize the government than at any time in Egypt’s recent history. Egyptians living under President al-Sisi are treated as criminals simply for peacefully expressing their views. The security services are unrelentingly closing any remaining independent political, social and even cultural space. These measures have turned Egypt into an open-air prison for critics.

Over the course of 2018, Egyptian authorities have arrested at least 113 individuals for absurd reasons, including satire, tweeting, supporting football clubs, denouncing sexual harassment, editing movies, giving or conducting interviews. In some cases, those arrested had done nothing at all. The authorities have accused them of “membership of terrorist groups” and “disseminating false news”. The authorities have detained them without trial for months, and those who faced trial were sentenced by military courts, even though military trials of civilians in Egypt are inherently unfair.

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. 

Haytham Mohamadeen remained in pre-trial detention until 30 October, when he was released on probation pending investigation into the charges against him. His probation terms initially required him to report to a local police station 12 hours every day. However, the probation terms were modified repeatedly. Haytham Mohamadeen is currently 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 five-year prison sentence after an unfair military trial. 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”. He remains in pre-trial detention.

Mustafa al-Aasar – Imprisoned for working on a documentary

Mustafa al-Aassar (25) is a journalist. 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. Mustafa al-Aassar remains in pre-trial detention.

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. Shady Abu Zeid remains in pre-trial detention.

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 of a banned group” and “disseminating false information” for his critical writings on his Facebook page. Shady al-Ghazali remains in pre-trial detention.

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”. 

Wael Abbas remained in pre-trial detention until the night of 11 December, when he was released on probation pending investigation into the charges against him. His probation terms initially required him to report to a local police station for four hours twice a week. However, the probation terms were modified on 15 January: Wael Abbas now has to report to a police station once a week for two hours.