Based on information received by a number of UN experts and submitted by the Egyptian Front for Human Rights, six UN special mandate holders sent an official communication (Ref.: AL EGY 5/2026) to the Egyptian government on 28 July 2026 concerning the arrest, detention and prosecution of journalist and researcher Ismail Alexandrani and Al-Sayed Sobhy Ahmed Eid, father of political researcher and podcast host Seif El-Islam Eid, on terrorism-related charges. The experts expressed concern that these measures may be linked to the two men’s peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression, and that the measures taken against them may involve the misuse of counter-terrorism laws.
The experts noted that Ismail Alexandrani, an Egyptian journalist and researcher, was arrested on 24 September 2025 while returning from Siwa. Contact with him was cut off for more than 12 hours following his arrest, before he was transferred to Cairo and questioned by the Supreme State Security Prosecution about a number of posts he had published on his Facebook account.
According to the communication, Alexandrani was ordered into pretrial detention in Case No. 6469/2025 on charges including spreading false news, joining a terrorist group, and using a website to promote ideas allegedly linked to terrorist acts. He remains detained in the 10th of Ramadan Prison. The experts also referred to information indicating that he suffers from respiratory difficulties and requires the use of a respirator while sleeping.
Regarding Al-Sayed Sobhy Ahmed Eid, the experts noted that he is the father of political researcher and podcast host Seif El-Islam Eid, whose work addresses conditions in detention facilities in Egypt. According to the communication, a number of National Security agents in civilian clothing raided his home in the early hours of 22 October 2025, searched the premises and seized electronic devices before arresting him without presenting a warrant. His arrest came days after an episode of his son’s podcast was widely circulated by news platforms and on social media.
The experts expressed grave concern over reports that Eid was subjected to enforced disappearance for four days in an undisclosed location following his arrest and was subjected to torture during that period. The communication states that he was brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on 25 October 2025 for questioning in the absence of legal counsel and was charged with joining and financing a terrorist group in Case No. 6468/2025. He was subsequently referred, on 11 June 2026, to a Terrorism Circuit of the Criminal Court in Case No. 4509/2026.
Concerns over the Criminalization of Peaceful Expression and the Misuse of Counter-Terrorism Laws
The UN experts stated that, according to the information they received, Alexandrani’s arrest, detention and prosecution were linked to his Facebook posts, while Eid’s arrest and detention were linked, among other things, to the content of his son’s podcast addressing conditions in detention facilities in Egypt. The experts considered these activities to constitute expression of views on matters of public interest, including criticism of State practices and the promotion and protection of human rights, which falls within the protection afforded to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The experts also expressed concern over the use of terrorism-related charges against the two men, given that the conduct underlying the charges appears to involve peaceful expression that does not incite violence or contribute to terrorist activities. They noted that applying vague and broad terrorism-related charges to such expression raises serious concerns about the misuse of counter-terrorism legislation against critics of the authorities.
Concerns over Arbitrary Detention, Enforced Disappearance and Torture
The experts concluded that the deprivation of liberty of Alexandrani and Eid, resulting from charges that criminalize legitimate expression, appears to be arbitrary and contrary to Article 9 of the ICCPR. With regard to Eid, they stressed that enforced disappearance constitutes an absolutely prohibited violation under international law.
The experts called on the Egyptian government to provide detailed information on the legal and factual basis for the arrest, detention and prosecution of Alexandrani and Eid, including the specific acts attributed to them and how those acts meet the elements of the offences with which they have been charged. They also requested clarifications regarding safeguards for access to legal counsel, judicial oversight of detention and the right to a fair trial, as well as Alexandrani’s health condition and the measures taken to ensure that he receives the necessary medical care.
With regard to Eid, the experts requested detailed information on the allegations of his enforced disappearance and torture and other ill-treatment, including any investigations conducted, their findings and the measures taken to hold those responsible accountable. They also requested clarification of the legal basis for his arrest and detention in connection with his son’s human rights advocacy, as well as the measures taken to prevent individuals from being targeted on the basis of familial association. They further called for clarification of the measures taken to ensure that counter-terrorism legislation and procedures, including vague and overly broad offences and terrorist designations, are consistent with international human rights law.
At the conclusion of the communication, the UN experts urged the Egyptian government to take all necessary interim measures to prevent any irreparable harm to Alexandrani and Eid, halt the alleged violations and prevent their recurrence, and ensure accountability for those responsible.