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May 24, 2026 – Egypt –
An Egyptian appeals court has cleared journalist Mohamed Taher in a case tied to a report about rainwater leaking inside museums in Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, ending a legal battle that lasted nearly four years. The ruling overturned a previous six-month prison sentence and canceled a financial penalty that had been issued against the antiquities reporter.
Taher, who works for the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm media organization, originally published a story in 2022 alleging that rainwater had seeped into museum buildings in the Red Sea cities. The article raised concerns about possible negligence by officials responsible for maintaining the sites. Shortly after publication, the report was removed from the outlet’s website, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities released a statement denying the claims.
The ministry’s complaint later developed into a criminal case. Prosecutors accused Taher of spreading false news domestically and internationally under provisions of Egypt’s Penal Code commonly used in publication-related cases. In July 2025, a court convicted the journalist in absentia and sentenced him to six months in prison in addition to a fine of 200 Egyptian pounds. A misdemeanor court later upheld the decision earlier this year, before the appeals court reversed both rulings.
Lawyers representing Taher argued that the accusations did not meet the legal standard required to prove a false news offense. The defense team also cited Article 71 of Egypt’s Constitution, which prohibits prison sentences for publication and expression-related offenses except in cases involving incitement to violence, discrimination, or defamation.
According to the Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media, its legal team submitted the appeal that ultimately led to Taher’s acquittal. The ruling has drawn attention from press freedom advocates who view the decision as an important moment for journalists facing legal pressure over their reporting in Egypt.
The case also renewed debate about the use of “false news” charges against reporters and writers in Egypt. Media rights groups have repeatedly argued that such prosecutions create pressure on independent journalism and discourage investigations into public institutions. Taher’s acquittal was welcomed by advocates who said the verdict reinforced protections for freedom of expression and publication.
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