The undersigned organizations condemn the arrest of six journalists working with the “Mattsadaash” platform: Mohamed Ashraf, Abdullah Qadri, Islam Barakat, Mohamed Adel, Mohamed Mahmoud, and Omar Helal.
The campaign began on the evening of Monday, September 28, with the arrest of two of the journalists, followed by the arrest of four others the following day. The security measures were accompanied by raids on the homes of some of them and the seizure of their personal mobile phones and computers. To date, no clear information has been made available regarding the reasons for their arrests, the investigating authorities handling their cases, or their places of detention.
Later, journalist Mohamed Ashraf Abu Omaira was brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on Saturday, October 3, where the prosecution ordered his detention for 15 days pending investigations in Case No. 8083 of 2026, Supreme State Security Inventory. He was charged with joining a terrorist group, publishing and disseminating false news and statements, and using a social media platform. The other journalists were also questioned.
Separately, journalist Rasha Azab was summoned for questioning before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on Monday, October 5, in connection with Case No. 8025 of 2026. The reasons for the summons remain unknown at this time.
The undersigned organizations affirm that the detention and summoning of journalists in connection with their journalistic work constitutes a serious violation of freedom of the press and freedom of opinion and expression, and directly undermines citizens’ right to know and to obtain information from diverse and independent sources.
The “Mattsadaash” platform operates as a fact-checking initiative that verifies news reports and statements that have already been published, whether by official or unofficial sources.
These measures are inconsistent with repeated official statements concerning media freedom and the expansion of public space. It is not possible to speak of genuine media freedom while journalists are detained for carrying out their professional duties, or while other journalists face prolonged pretrial detention and trials in cases related to what they have published or to their professional activities.
This incident is consistent with concerning international indicators regarding the state of press freedom and freedom of expression in Egypt.
According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Egypt ranked 169th out of 180 countries, with a score of 24.92 points. The organization also continues to document the detention of journalists in Egypt, reporting that 18 journalists are currently detained, according to its updated data.
The undersigned organizations stress that respect for media freedom cannot be measured by official statements alone, but rather by the ability of journalists and media outlets to operate independently and safely, publish information, and investigate matters of public concern without fear of arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment.
In this context, the organizations further emphasize that carrying out journalistic duties—including verifying information, scrutinizing public policies, conveying citizens’ views, and investigating the performance of state institutions—should not constitute grounds for deprivation of liberty.
The prolonged use of pretrial detention in cases related to publishing and freedom of expression also transforms a measure that is supposed to be exceptional into an actual punishment imposed before the issuance of final judicial judgments.
Immediately release the six journalists, end the use of pretrial detention as a tool to punish journalists and individuals exercising their right to express their views, and review the cases of all journalists detained in connection with their professional activities or peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
Release all journalists imprisoned for carrying out their professional duties or expressing their opinions.
The organizations also call on the government to ensure full respect for the Constitution, the law, and international human rights instruments guaranteeing freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of the press, and the public’s right to access information.
Signatory Organizations
Arab Foundation for Civil Society and Human Rights
Arab Organization for Criminal Reform
DAM Center for Media, Development and Human Rights Support
Masr 360 Platform
Issued on October 5, 2026
