Egyptian Journalist Rasha Qandeel Charged with Spreading ‘False News’

May 29, 2025 – Egypt – 

Egyptian journalist Rasha Qandeel was summoned by the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) in Cairo, where she underwent an eight-hour interrogation. Following the session, she was charged with “spreading and broadcasting false news inside and outside the country” and released on bail of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $1,000).

The charges against Qandeel stem from her investigative reports and social media posts addressing Egypt’s political and economic landscape. Notably, her articles titled “The History of Borrowing and Loans from Western Countries” and “The Sovereign Wealth Fund 2: Egypt Between Military Rule and the Police State” were scrutinized during the interrogation. Additionally, she was questioned about her commentary on prominent figures such as political activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, blogger Mohamed Oxygen, and lawyer Huda Abdel Moneim.

The prosecution’s case was bolstered by 31 complaints filed by citizens from various governorates, accusing Qandeel of disseminating false information. These complaints, coupled with a report from the National Security Sector, formed the basis of the allegations.

Qandeel, a former BBC Arabic presenter and current spokesperson for the nascent Hope Current party, denied all charges, asserting that her work is grounded in academic and journalistic research, free from personal bias. Her legal team emphasized the professional integrity of her reporting and highlighted the concerning trend of legal actions against journalists in Egypt.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the charges, with CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator, Sherif Mansour, stating that the prosecution of Qandeel exemplifies Egypt’s ongoing efforts to suppress independent journalism through vague legal accusations.

Qandeel’s case underscores the broader challenges faced by journalists in Egypt, where press freedom has been increasingly curtailed under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s administration. The international community continues to monitor such developments, advocating for the protection of journalistic integrity and freedom of expression.

Reference – 

https://allafrica.com/stories/202505300022.html

Egyptian journalist Rasha Qandeel charged with spreading ‘false news’ after political reports.