By Ebi Kesiena
Egyptian authorities have arrested prominent independent journalist Ismail Iskandarani over a series of Facebook posts, Human Rights Watch (HRW) confirmed on Wednesday, describing the detention as another blow to press freedom in the country.
In a statement, HRW urged the government to “immediately and unconditionally release Iskandarani” and to establish an independent committee to review the detention of thousands of peaceful critics, calling for the release of all those imprisoned for their speech, assembly, or association.
According to his lawyers, security forces apprehended Iskandarani on September 24, 2025, at a checkpoint in Egypt’s Matrouh Governorate, just two days after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned high-profile activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and five others. The journalist, who had previously spent seven years in prison following what HRW called an unjust military trial, is once again facing charges related to his journalistic expression.
“Instead of seizing Alaa Abdel Fattah’s release as an opportunity to reform, authorities have reverted to repression,” said Amr Magdi, HRW’s senior Middle East and North Africa researcher. This marks a critical moment for Egypt, one that demands an end to the unlawful detention of critics and journalists.”
In the hours leading up to his arrest, Iskandarani posted on Facebook that he had been stopped by police at a checkpoint near Matrouh. His lawyer, Mahienour El-Massry, reported that National Security officers confiscated his phone, blindfolded him, and transported him to an undisclosed location before he was brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) for questioning about 17 Facebook posts.
Prosecutors charged him with “spreading false news,” “belonging to a terrorist organisation,” and “using a website to promote terrorist ideas,” ordering 15 days of pretrial detention. HRW said it reviewed the posts and found them to be protected speech under international human rights law.
Human rights lawyer Khaled Ali confirmed that Iskandarani’s case has been tagged under State Security Case No. 6469 of 2025, alongside Sinai activist Said Eteik, who was detained earlier over a similar Facebook post. Iskandarani has since been transferred to the 10th of Ramadan Prison Complex in Al-Sharqia Governorate, where his pretrial detention was renewed via video conference—a system HRW says violates fair trial standards.
Lawyers have also raised alarm over his health, noting that Iskandarani suffers from diabetes and breathing difficulties and requires a medical device that was partially confiscated by security officers.
Meanwhile, under President Sisi, Egypt has consistently ranked among the world’s most repressive environments for journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, more than 170 journalists have been detained in Egypt over the past decade, making it one of the most dangerous countries for independent reporting.
