Cairo, 9 October 2025 — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the detention of prominent Egyptian journalist and researcher Ismail Iskandarani, who was arrested in Cairo on 24 October over Facebook posts critical of government policies. The organization described the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism and free expression in Egypt.
Arrest and Legal Concerns
Iskandarani, known for his investigative reporting on counterterrorism operations and human rights abuses in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, was detained shortly after publishing a series of posts commenting on the country’s domestic situation. While authorities have permitted his lawyers to meet with him, HRW noted that confidential communication was denied, raising concerns about due process.
History of Repression
This is not Iskandarani’s first encounter with Egypt’s security apparatus. He previously spent over seven years in prison following a 2015 arrest, and was sentenced by a military court to 10 years on charges of “spreading false news” and “joining a banned group.” Rights groups widely criticized the conviction as politically motivated.
International Response
HRW’s Amr Magdi, senior researcher for the Middle East and North Africa, called the detention a “bellwether moment” for Egypt’s human rights record:
“The only way out of its protracted crisis is to stop unlawfully detaining critics and journalists and release all those arbitrarily detained.”
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, has also urged Egypt to uphold its obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee fair trial rights and protection from arbitrary detention.
Press Freedom Under Threat
Iskandarani’s renewed detention highlights the ongoing repression of independent media under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Dozens of journalists remain imprisoned on similar charges, and authorities continue to block hundreds of news websites.
Rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, warn that recent legislative changes have granted Egypt’s General Intelligence Service sweeping surveillance powers and broad impunity, further eroding press freedoms.
Outlook
The case of Ismail Iskandarani underscores the precarious state of journalism in Egypt, where critical voices face persistent threats. As international pressure mounts, human rights advocates continue to call for transparent investigations, legal reform, and the release of arbitrarily detained journalists.
Excerpts from jurist.org article by Durdana Chowdhury | U. Dhaka Department of Law, BD
Sources: Human Rights Watch; Reporters Without Borders; United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; JURIST.
