The SSSP decided today, May 25, 2026, to remand Mohamed Abu El-Diar in custody for fifteen days pending investigations in Case No. 4502 of 2026, while ordering the release of lawyer Wafaa El-Masry and Hanan Tantawy on bail of EGP 50,000 each in connection with the same case. The measures come against the backdrop of their activities within the Committee for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience, a committee dedicated to supporting the families of prisoners of conscience, advocating for their release, and calling for an end to the expansion of pretrial detention.
The prosecution brought charges against them of “spreading false news,” while Mohamed Abu El-Diar also faces the charge of “joining a terrorist group.” The accusations followed several hours of interrogation focused on their activities within the Committee for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience, particularly the “Prison Is Not Their Place” exhibition, which was held at the headquarters of the Bread and Freedom Party on May 13.
Security forces had arrested the three during the early morning and morning hours of today. Wafaa El-Masry was detained from a chalet on the North Coast while she was with members of her family, after officers confiscated their phones and prevented them from communicating for several hours. Meanwhile, security forces raided Mohamed Abu El-Diar’s home in Hadayek Al-Ahram and arrested him, while Hanan Tantawy was detained in front of her home, before all three later appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution.