Crackdown on Dissent: Egypt Arrests Wife of Detained Cartoonist Ashraf Omar

February 13, 2025 – Egypt – 

In a deepening crackdown on dissent and press freedom, Egyptian authorities arrested Nada Mougheeth, the wife of jailed cartoonist Ashraf Omar, on January 16, 2025. Her arrest came shortly after she gave an interview criticizing the government’s treatment of her husband, who has been detained since July 2024 for publishing satirical cartoons critical of the Egyptian regime and economic mismanagement.

According to reports, Mougheeth was taken from her home in Cairo by state security officers. She now faces serious charges, including “spreading false news” and “joining a terrorist organization.” Her alleged offense was speaking publicly about her husband’s detention conditions and alleging that authorities confiscated 350,000 Egyptian pounds during his arrest but officially declared a much smaller sum.

The journalist who conducted the interview, Ahmed Serag, has also been arrested and is reportedly still in custody. Human rights groups say these arrests signal a disturbing trend in Egypt, where even the family members of detainees and those who report on them are increasingly targeted.

Ashraf Omar, a widely known cartoonist, was arrested in July 2024. His work had been shared extensively on social media and was critical of government corruption and economic hardship in the country. He was charged with “joining a terrorist group,” “spreading false news,” and “misusing social media,” though no trial date has been set and his pretrial detention continues to be extended.

Several international watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI), have strongly condemned both arrests. They say the case illustrates Egypt’s growing repression of freedom of expression and its use of terrorism-related charges to silence critics.

Mougheeth’s arrest has sparked outrage among advocates for press freedom and human rights. Many are calling for her immediate release, along with that of her husband and the journalist who interviewed her. The situation highlights the increasingly perilous environment for journalists, cartoonists, and activists in Egypt who dare to challenge the official narrative.

Reference – 

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-wife-detained-cartoonist-ashraf-omar-arrested-cairo

https://www.newarab.com/news/egypt-arrests-wife-detained-cartoonist-ashraf-omar

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/02/13/nada-mougheeth-wife-of-ashraf-omar-arrested/