Skip to content

Egypt: CFJ Documents Investigation of Journalist Mostafa Al-Khatib in a New Case After 5 Years of Pretrial Detention

Less than 1 minute Reading Time: Minutes

The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented the initiation of a new investigation by Egypt’s State Security Prosecution against journalist and translator at the Associated Press, Mostafa Al-Khatib. He is now being investigated in a new case (no. 647 of 2020, State Security Prosecution) on charges of joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its objectives.

This new investigation follows a State Security decision to release Al-Khatib in case no. 488 of 2019, where he faced similar accusations, including participation in a terrorist group and spreading false news.

Mostafa Al-Khatib was originally arrested on October 12, 2019, after the Associated Press published a report about British students leaving Egypt due to unstable security conditions. Al-Khatib denied any connection to the report. On October 14 of the same year, he was interrogated by the State Security Prosecution in relation to case no. 488, for which he was held in pretrial detention for over five years—a clear violation of Article 143 of Egypt’s Criminal Procedure Code.

During his latest interrogation, Al-Khatib was informed of his release in the older case on bail. However, he was later transferred from Badr Prison to the prosecution’s office, where he was interrogated in the new case on the same day. This reflects the continuation of the “recycling” policy of renewed detention against him.

CFJ views this new case as an extension of ongoing systematic repression against journalists and activists in Egypt. The committee raises serious concerns about the authorities’ adherence to human rights and compliance with national and international laws. Such practices are widely perceived as retaliatory actions against journalists seeking to uncover the truth.

CFJ strongly condemns the policy of “detention recycling” against Mostafa Al-Khatib and calls for an immediate end to these illegal practices. The committee demands his immediate release and the cessation of his targeting. Furthermore, CFJ stresses the importance of respecting pretrial detention laws and refraining from their misuse.

For more information and media requests or inquiries, please get in touch with us (+41229403538 / media@cfjustice.org)

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Be the first to get our latest Publication