The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the death of political detainee Ibrahim Hashem El‑Sayed, 43, inside his cell at Minya Maximum-Security Prison on Sunday, 1 March 2026, while performing the Taraweeh prayers.
According to CFJ’s documentation, the deceased was a resident of Abu Sawir city in Ismailia governorate. He worked as a Qur’an instructor and held an Ijazah in the ten qira’at (Qur’anic recitations). He had been serving a 15-year prison sentence, of which he had completed 11 years, as he had been detained since 2014.
CFJ stresses that the rights to life and healthcare are fundamental rights that must be guaranteed for all detainees without discrimination, and that prison authorities bear full responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of those held in custody.
The organization calls for an urgent, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ibrahim Hashem El‑Sayed, including determining whether the death was linked to any medical negligence or misconduct. CFJ also urges the publication of the investigation’s findings to the public, and the provision of adequate healthcare to all detainees in a manner that safeguards their right to life and human dignity.
