Nearly two years after the end of his detainment in Egypt, Patrick Zaki has been issued a swift pardon by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the day after receiving a three-year prison sentence. Zaki, who had been studying in Italy prior to his arrest, was initially targeted for spreading “false news” following his 2020 article describing his difficulties as a Coptic Christian, a minority ... Continue Reading>>
Political Science Researcher in Egypt Prevented from Resuming Studies in Europe
Ahmed Samir Santawy, a student at the Central European University, was served 1.5 years in prison for supposedly spreading fake news before receiving a presidential pardon. However, for the past year, he has been prevented from returning to Europe to continue his studies and reunite with his partner. This travel appears to be continuing retaliation for his research on the sexual and reproductive ... Continue Reading>>
Patrick George Zaki trial for writing an article in Egypt delayed once again
Masters student, Patrick George Zaki, has been awaiting trial since his detainment on February 7th, 2020. He was detained for 22 months until December 21st, 2021. Since his release, his trial has been delayed 9 times, most recently to May 9th, 2023, putting him in legal limbo and preventing him from continuing his ... Continue Reading>>
Ahmed Samir Santawy Released from Prison
Egyptian graduate student in the social sciences Ahmed Samir Santawy, on Friday evening, July 29, was one of a small number of prisoners who received a presidential pardon by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The following day, he was released from prison. International pressure from the scholarly and human rights communities is believed to have played a significant role in bringing ... Continue Reading>>
Political Science Researcher Accused of Spreading Fake News, Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
Ahmed Samir Santawy, a student of the Central European University, was recently sentenced to three years in prison for “spreading false news. This sentence appears to be retaliation for his research on women’s rights. His arrest is part of a recurring pattern of detaining academics at Cairo Airport and handing them prison terms. ... Continue Reading>>
Political Science Researcher in Egypt Arrested for Unclear Reasons at the Cairo Airport
Amgad Gabbas, a political science researcher based in Egypt, was arrested at the Cairo Airport upon returning to the country in May 2022, after being on holiday. He is being held in prison without any charges being declared. CCS is concerned that this arrest is part of a recurring pattern of arresting people perceived to be dissidents at this ... Continue Reading>>
Master’s Student Imprisoned for Four Years for Alleged Internet Posts
Patrick George Zaki indicted for writing an article in Egypt
Graduate student and human rights researcher Patrick George Zaki was detained and now indicted for allegedly spreading “false news” in the form of an article describing the difficulties he faced in being a Coptic Christian. He is facing up to five years in prison. He has been allegedly subjected to torture and ... Continue Reading>>
Master’s Student in Egypt Sentenced to Prison for Allegedly Publishing “False News”
Summary: Ahmed Samir Santawy, a Master’s student in Sociology and Social Anthropology at Central European University in Vienna, Austria has been detained since February 2021 and was sentenced in June to four years in prison. It appears that his sentence may be in retaliation for his work with women’s rights. ... Continue Reading>>