The Committee for Justice (CFJ) expresses deep concern over the continued detention and prosecution of a number of journalists and media workers in Egypt, amid an environment witnessing increasing restrictions on press freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information.
On the occasion of Egyptian Journalist Day, observed annually on 10 June, CFJ documents the continued detention of a number of journalists for prolonged periods, some of whom have exceeded the legal limits for pretrial detention. These include journalist Ahmed Sabei, detained since February 2020; photojournalist Hamdy Al‑Zaeem, detained since January 2021; journalist Medhat Ramadan, detained since May 2020; journalist Ahmed Abu Zeid Al‑Tanoubi, detained since March 2020; and journalist Mohamed Saeed Fahmy, who has spent nearly eight years in detention in connection with successive cases. The list also includes journalist Mostafa Al‑Khatib, detained since October 2019; journalist Tawfik Ghanem, detained since May 2021; and journalist Badr Mohamed Badr, who has spent approximately nine years behind bars.
The Committee is also monitoring the conditions of several other detained journalists, including Mahmoud Saad Diab, Mostafa Mohamed Saad, Abdullah Samir Mubarak, Ahmed Al‑Toukhy, Mohamed Abu Al‑Maati, Karim Al‑Shaer, Yasser Abu Al‑Ela, Ramadan Goweida, Khaled Mamdouh, Ashraf Omar, Ahmed Bayoumi, and Safaa Al‑Kourbigi, in addition to researcher and journalist Ismail Alexandrani, who was re‑arrested during the past year following a period of release.
CFJ notes that many of these journalists face recurring charges related to spreading false news, misusing social media, or joining banned groups—charges that are frequently used in cases linked to freedom of expression and journalistic work. Some were subjected to enforced disappearance before being brought before investigative authorities, while others faced “case recycling” into new cases after release orders had been issued in their favor or after they had exceeded the legally prescribed limits for pretrial detention.
The Committee for Justice considers that the continued detention of this number of journalists and media workers sends a negative message regarding the state of press freedom in Egypt and affects the ability of journalists and media institutions to carry out their role in conveying information and covering public affairs freely and independently.
On Egyptian Journalist Day, CFJ affirms that freedom of the press is not a privilege granted to journalists, but rather a fundamental right belonging to society as a whole, and that protecting journalists from arbitrary detention and prosecution linked to their professional work is an essential condition for guaranteeing the right to information and freedom of expression.
The Committee for Justice calls for the release of all journalists detained in connection with their journalistic work or peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, an end to the prolonged use of pretrial detention, respect for international fair trial standards, and the creation of a safe and independent environment for media work that enables journalists to carry out their duties without fear or harassment.