The Egyptian regime continues committing violations against journalists by issuing long-term detention and harsh sentences against them.
On Monday, the opposition judge at the Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of journalist Mohamed Saad Khattab,72, for 45 days, on charges of joining a terrorist group, publishing false news and misusing social media, which are charges usually used by the regime against its opponents and critics.
Khattab was brought before the opposition judge for the fourth time, after completing 10 consecutive detention renewals before the State Security Prosecution, which is the maximum allowed period by Egyptian law.
The decision to renew the detention was procedural only. The opposition judge ignored the complaint submitted by journalist Khattab on his health deterioration and being denied of treatment.
The prosecution had previously refused to present the journalist to a medical committee inside prison, ignoring the defence attorney’s appeal, which warned of the seriousness of Khattab’s health condition, who is 72 years old and suffers from serious health problems, including coronary artery insufficiency, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
The prosecution also ignored a new request by the defence team, which held it responsible for the life of his client, who takes about 20 pills a day to ensure the stability of his health. The prosecution rejected the defence’s request to release him with any guarantees due to the deterioration of his health.
Journalist Khattab was arrested on August 19, 2023, and has been subjected to serious violations, including being stripped of his clothes and left naked all night.
Dozens of Egyptian journalists have been imprisoned since Sisi took power in the country, as the Egyptian authorities wage an unprecedented campaign of repression against opponents and critics, which requires the international community to put an end to the Egyptian regime’s ongoing violations.
