Egypt Hands Political Commentator 5-Year Prison Sentence

October 10, 2025 – Egypt –

In a provocative move against critical voices, an Egyptian court has sentenced commentator Abdel Khaleq Farouk to five years behind bars on charges widely interpreted as aimed at suppressing dissent. The case reflects broader tightening of restrictions on public discourse under the current regime.

Farouk, known for his sharp political commentary, was convicted on unspecified charges tied to alleged threats to national security and spreading false information. The verdict follows a pattern in Egypt, where authorities increasingly deploy stringent laws to silence journalists, critics, and commentators who challenge the status quo.

Press freedom advocates have condemned the ruling as a blatant assault on free speech. They warn that such verdicts create a chilling effect, deterring others from engaging in political debate or criticism out of fear of legal retribution.

Farouk’s case arrives amid mounting pressure on independent media—journalists and commentators face censorship, harassment, arrests, and heavy sentences under laws tackling propaganda, defamation, and public order. Observers view this as another escalation in Egypt’s crackdown on civil society, aimed at consolidating control over narratives and curtailing dissenting voices.

International organizations have called on Egyptian authorities to reverse the sentence, arguing that public commentators should be allowed to critique governance without fear of imprisonment. Farouk’s conviction is likely to attract global attention as another test of Egypt’s commitment—or lack thereof—to safeguarding political freedoms and protecting the space for open debate.

Reference –

https://cpj.org/2025/10/egypt-sentences-commentator-abdel-khaleq-farouk-to-5-years-in-prison/amp/

https://allafrica.com/stories/202510100043.html