The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has reported the release of journalist and writer Rasha Qandil on bail of fifty thousand Egyptian pounds by the Supreme State Security Prosecution on Sunday evening, May 25, 2025, in case number 4196 of 2025 (Supreme State Security File), following an investigative session lasting approximately eight hours.
Khaled Ali, a member of Qandil’s legal defense team, stated that the prosecution charged Qandil with broadcasting false news and information inside and outside Egypt, based on a number of published journalistic articles, including an article titled “Is Egypt on the Brink of Explosion?”. He also pointed out that the investigation included 31 complaints submitted during the past week from citizens belonging to various governorates and professions, which showed similar wording and all revolved around published journalistic content.
For its part, the CFJ expresses firm rejection of the abusive procedures being carried out against journalist Rasha Qandil, which aim to silence voices and suppress general freedoms under unjustified legal pretexts. The committee stresses that such actions constitute a blatant violation of the principle of freedom of opinion and expression and are incompatible with all international standards concerning respect for independent and responsible journalism.
The CFJ calls on Egyptian authorities to immediately cease targeting Qandil and allow her to carry out her professional duties without fear or pressure, emphasizing the urgent need to establish a safe and appropriate environment that guarantees freedom of criticism and expression without exposing those who exercise it to retaliation or security pursuit.