Press release
Geneva – July 22, 2024
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has monitored that Egyptian security forces, affiliated with the National Security Agency, have detained Sally Mohamed Nabil, a BBC correspondent in Cairo, and Ashraf Omar, a translator and cartoonist for the news website “Al-Manassa.”
On July 15, Sally Nabil was arrested after posting on social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) about Egyptian security forces detaining several Sudanese individuals. These individuals were accused of displaying offensive images of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on a screen in Faisal Street, Al-Haram.
Sally was presented before the Supreme State Security Prosecution under case number 3527 of 2024, facing charges including the dissemination of false news. She was released on bail of 10,000 EGP pending further investigation.
In a related incident, Nada Mogheith, the wife of Ashraf Omar, announced that security forces raided their home in the “Dar Misr” compound in 6th of October City at 1:30 AM on Monday, July 22. Omar was taken to an undisclosed location.
Mogheith stated that she would wait the legally mandated 24 hours before filing a report with the Attorney General about his disappearance. Meanwhile, the management of “Al-Manassa” sent a letter to the Journalists’ Syndicate, urging them to intervene to ensure Omar’s safety, ascertain his whereabouts, and provide legal representation.
CFJ has condemned the detention of Sally and Omar, attributing their arrests to their legitimate and peaceful journalistic activities. CFJ calls for an end to the targeting of Sally, the dismissal of all legal proceedings against her, the immediate and unconditional release of Omar, and the provision of a safe environment for them to continue their journalistic work.
