/ / EGYPT: SIX UNJUSTLY DETAINED JOURNALISTS TORTURED

EGYPT: SIX UNJUSTLY DETAINED JOURNALISTS TORTURED

UA: 107.26

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On September 28 and 29, 2026, Egyptian security forces arrested six journalists working for the independent fact-checking platform Matsadaash, namely: Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira, Abdallah Qadry, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Mahmoud, and Mohamed Adel. Following their arrests, they were forcibly disappeared for periods ranging between five and six days. Amnesty International learned that during this period security officers subjected all six to torture and other ill-treatment to force them to record self-incriminating statements on video. Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira was held in 10th of Ramadan prison, while the other five journalists were detained in Badr prison, pending investigations into terrorism-related and “false news” charges in connection with their media work.

The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release them as they are solely detained for their media work and the exercise of their right to freedom of expression.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: April 16, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Egyptian Embassy in Washington DC
Send an email to Public Prosecutor Mohamed Shawky Ayyad
Send an email to the Egyptian Embassy in Washington DC
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

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Remember to send your letter by April 16, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear Counselor,

I am concerned about the arbitrary detention and reported torture of six journalists working for Matsadaash: Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira, Abdallah Qadry, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Mahmoud, and Mohamed Adel. Following their arrests on September 28 and 29, 2026, the journalists were held for five to six days in undisclosed locations, while authorities concealed their whereabouts from their families and lawyers. On October 4, 2026, they were brought to the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) for interrogations. According to a member of the defense team, during questioning by the SSSP, the six journalists said that National Security Agency (NSA) agents subjected them to torture and other ill-treatment during their detention at NSA premises. Officers forced them to read out prepared statements incriminating themselves while being filmed.

I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release all six journalists and drop all charges against them as they stem solely from the exercise of their right to freedom of expression and media work. Pending their release, ensure their protection from torture and other ill-treatment, including reprisals against them or their families for reporting abuse; grant them regular access to their families, access to their lawyers confidentially and any healthcare they need; and ensure that their detention conditions meet international standards for the treatment of prisoners. Finally, ensure an effective investigation into their allegations of torture and other ill-treatment and enforced disappearance.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

Journalists from Matsadaash were forcibly disappeared and detained for their work. @EgyptianPPO must immediately release Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira, Abdallah Qadry, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Mahmoud, & Mohamed Adel, drop all charges & protect freedom of expression

Send a Tweet to @EgyptianPPO

Step 2

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Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Public Prosecutor Mohamed Shawky Ayyad

Fax: +202 2577 4716

[email protected] @EgyptianPPO

and

CC: Egyptian Embassy in the United States

Ambassador Motaz Zahran

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

3521 International Court, NW,

Washington DC 20008

[email protected] [email protected]

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