Egypt Re-arrests Investigative Journalist Ismail Alexandrani Over Social Media Posts

September 26, 2025 – Egypt – 

On 24 September 2025, Egyptian authorities detained Ismail Alexandrani, a prominent investigative journalist, writer, and researcher, at a security checkpoint in Matrouh Governorate. He was later charged with “joining a terrorist group,” “spreading false news,” and “using a website to promote terrorist ideas,” and remanded for 15 days pending investigation.

This detention marks a renewed crackdown on Alexandrani, who has already spent seven years imprisoned from 2015 to 2022 following a conviction by a military court on politically charged charges, including publishing military secrets. His re-arrest is widely seen by human rights groups as part of a broader pattern in Egypt of suppressing independent voices and using legal tools to stifle dissent.

Authorities reportedly presented 17 Facebook posts by Alexandrani as evidence. These touched on issues such as Egypt’s “rotation” system (a practice allowing prolonged arbitrary detention of critics), commentary on recent arrests, and other political observations. Lawyers for Alexandrani have raised serious concerns about his health: he suffers from breathing difficulties and reportedly relies on a respiratory device during sleep, making his detention especially dangerous without appropriate medical support.

In response, PEN International condemned the arrest, calling it “unjust persecution” for his online speech. They demanded his immediate and unconditional release, that all charges be dropped, and that he receive medical care while in custody. The organization emphasized that Egypt routinely weaponizes legislation to silence critics, stifle expression, and limit political dissent.

Human rights organizations echoed these calls, condemning Alexandrani’s detention and stressing that his previous prison term should not subject him to renewed harassment for exercising his right to free expression. The arrest is also viewed as reinforcing a climate of caution and fear among journalists and activists in Egypt, especially given the country’s dominance among the world’s highest jailers of journalists.

Reference – 

Egypt re-arrests journalist Ismail Alexandrani over social media posts

https://www.pen-international.org/news/egypt-writer-and-investigative-journalist-ismail-alexandrani-arrested-and-detained-for-speaking-up-on-social-media