The Arab Foundation for Civil Society and Human Rights expresses deep concern over the arrest of political activist Engineer Tamer Sherine Shawky, who was referred to the Public Prosecution on 26/03/2026. The Economic Prosecution in Alexandria decided to detain him for four days pending investigation on charges including “spreading false news,” “insulting a public official,” and “misuse of social media,” as well as creating a social media page intended to stir public opinion—charges increasingly used to restrict freedom of expression. Today, 28 March, the prosecution renewed his detention for 15 days. This reflects a growing pattern of arresting activists and political figures merely for expressing their opinions on social media.
According to his lawyer, Ahmed Abu Alam, Shawky had received an official summons a few days prior to appear before the authorities before being detained.
The Foundation views these measures as a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution and international human rights instruments, foremost among them the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Egypt has ratified and incorporated into its legal obligations.
Sherif Helaly, Executive Director of the Foundation, emphasized that these incidents reflect a rising trend of security and judicial harassment against citizens for peacefully expressing their views, raising serious concerns about the shrinking space for public freedoms in Egypt.
Similar recent cases include the summons of Dr. Mohamed Zohran, founder of the Teachers’ Independence Movement, who was later released on bail; Dr. Aida Seif El-Dawla, Director of the Nadim Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture, summoned for her human rights work; the detention of dentists and pharmacists for peacefully protesting the medical internship allocation system; and the arrest of lawyer Ali Ayoub under a court ruling for allegedly insulting the Minister of Culture, which he later appealed. These cases indicate the widening targeting of public figures and activists from diverse backgrounds.
The Foundation stresses that freedom of opinion and expression is not a crime, and that using vague legal provisions to criminalize peaceful expression clearly violates the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought and the right to express opinions through speech, writing, photography, or other means.
:The Foundation calls for
exercising his right to peaceful expression.The immediate release of Engineer Tamer Sherine Shawky and the cessation of legal actions against him for
The suspension of using charges such as “spreading false news” and “misuse of social media” as tools to restrict freedoms of citizens and political activists.
Respecting Egypt’s international human rights obligations and ensuring alignment of legislation and practices with these commitments.
Ending all forms of restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression, and releasing all individuals detained for peacefully exercising these rights.
