First: Trials and the Judiciary
The first half of June 2026 witnessed numerous trials (nearly 100 trials) before the terrorism circuits – the First Terrorism Circuit headed by Judge Mohamed El-Saeed El-Sherbiny with Judges Wael Omran and Gharib Ezzat as members, and the Second Terrorism Circuit headed by Judge Wagdy Abdel Moniem with Judges Wael Omran and Diaa Amer as members. Around 2,600 citizens appeared as “defendants,” mostly in State Security felony cases.
These proceedings were held before the “terrorism” criminal circuits at the Badr Prison Courts Complex. Several of these trials demonstrated legal irregularities and failed to meet fair trial standards, including:
- Defendants Absent from In-Person Trials
Some hearings proceeded despite the absence of certain defendants, although their attendance was legally required and the hearings should have been postponed until their presence was secured. The defendants were in the custody of the Ministry of Interior and were not fugitives.
On Tuesday, 9 June 2026:
- The Second Terrorism Circuit postponed the trial of 59 defendants accused of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news in Case No. 13673 of 2024 (New Cairo Felonies) to 15 September 2026 for the hearing of prosecution witnesses, despite the absence of some defendants.
- The same circuit postponed the trial of 75 defendants in Case No. 4660 of 2025 (Fifth Settlement Felonies), publicly known as the “Muslim Brotherhood Administrative Structure in Fifth Settlement” case, to 13 September 2026 for prosecution witness testimony, despite the absence of several defendants.
- The same circuit postponed the trial of 213 defendants in Case No. 16967 of 2024 (Nozha Felonies), publicly known as the “Nozha Cell” case, to 28 September 2026 for prosecution witness testimony, despite the absence of several defendants.
On Wednesday, 10 June:
The same circuit postponed the trial of 50 defendants in Case No. 23864 of 2025 (First Settlement Felonies), publicly known as the “Administrative Structure in the Settlement – Al Tagamou“ case, to 14 September 2026 for prosecution witness testimony, despite the absence of several defendants.
- Custodial Sentence in a Publication-Related Case
Despite the fact that the Egyptian Constitution, rulings of the Court of Cassation, and decisions of the Supreme Constitutional Court prohibit custodial penalties in publication-related offenses except in narrowly defined exceptional cases, and despite the defense requests to refer the case for investigation and for the court to inspect Badr (1) Prison and 10th of Ramadan Prison to examine prison wards and lighting conditions, hear witness testimony, review surveillance footage from the defendant’s detention area, appoint a committee of psychiatrists, and hear testimony from media and journalism experts regarding the defendant’s claims, the New Cairo Misdemeanor Court issued a ruling on 3 June sentencing activist Ahmed Douma to one year in prison with hard labor and a fine of 200 Egyptian pounds in Misdemeanor Case No. 4894 of 2026 (Fifth Settlement Police Department).
The charges, brought by the Supreme State Security Prosecution, accused him of deliberately spreading false news domestically and internationally concerning the country’s internal conditions through an article published on the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed website on 25 March 2026 titled “From Prison Inside the State to the State Inside the Prison”, in which he criticized what he described as prison conditions, including the continuous use of powerful lighting inside prison wards affecting detainees’ physical and psychological health. He also republished the article on his Facebook page on 28 March 2026.
Twelve citizens reportedly filed complaints against him in various police stations and governorates, claiming harm from the article, raising serious concerns and suggesting coordination behind the filing of these complaints.
- Invalid Trial Due to Exceeding the Maximum Limit of Pretrial Detention
On 13 October 2023, young man Omar Mohamed El-Dahma was arrested in the Miami district of Alexandria over allegations of participating in a demonstration supporting the Palestinian people.
He was presented before the Supreme State Security Prosecution three days later, on 16 October 2023, and ordered detained for 15 days pending investigation on charges of joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and participating in an unlawful assembly threatening public peace.
On 10 May 2026, despite El-Dahma having already spent six months in detention beyond the legal maximum, which expired on 17 October 2025, the Cairo Court of Appeal began his trial on 7 June before the Second Criminal Circuit sitting in Badr Prison in connection with Case No. 2469 of 2023 (Supreme State Security Registry).
This constitutes a violation of Article 143 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which explicitly sets the maximum pretrial detention period at two years. Although his lawyers submitted a complaint to the Public Prosecutor, Mohamed Shawky Ayad, in May 2025 demanding his release, the legal provisions were ignored and his unlawful detention continued.
- Ongoing Violations Against a Young Man with Disabilities
Despite the medical condition of Mohamed Walid Abdel Moneim, who is a person with disabilities protected under Law No. 10 of 2018 concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, and despite the fact that he has exceeded the maximum legal period of pretrial detention after being arrested in April 2024 and remaining imprisoned since then, authorities continue to detain him.
His disability requires periodic medical intervention to drain excess fluid from the brain. His detention has interrupted his psychiatric treatment, depriving him of essential medication needed to cope with chronic depression, anxiety, and severe social phobia, all of which worsen his condition inside prison.
Nevertheless, in circumstances that raise serious doubts about the plausibility of the allegations, the prosecution accused him of “establishing and leading a terrorist organization.”
Judge Wagdy Abdel Monem, head of the Second Badr Criminal Circuit, ignored requests for his lawful and fair release pending trial and, during the hearing on 8 June, postponed the case until 10 August 2026 while ordering the continuation of his detention in violation of the law.
- Mohamed El-Baqer
Despite the absence of any investigation against him and despite his release by presidential pardon, the Court of Cassation ruled on 13 June to reject the appeal filed by human rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer against his inclusion on the terrorist entities list for five years.
The designation had been ordered in November 2025 by the First Criminal Circuit headed by Judge Mohamed El-Sherbiny. The court upheld the listing decision.
The ruling is viewed as part of retaliatory practices targeting human rights defenders and reflects the arbitrary use of Law No. 8 of 2015 regulating terrorist entities and terrorist lists to include individuals and organizations.
Second: Investigations, Detention Renewals, and the Public Prosecution
- Exchange Between Prosecution and Defense During Sarah Khalifa Trial
On 11 June, the trial session of media personality Sarah Khalifa in Case No. 6838 of 2025 (First Settlement Felonies), publicly known as the “Major Drug Case,” witnessed a heated exchange between Ahmed Saafan, a member of the Public Prosecutor’s Technical Office, and lawyer Mohamed Hamouda, a member of the defense team.
The dispute followed defense remarks concerning what it described as communication between the Public Prosecution and members of the technical examination committee prior to their testimony before the court. The prosecution representative responded by demanding that the defense “adhere to courtroom etiquette and rules,” emphasizing the need to respect the legal framework governing pleadings before the court.
- Counterterrorism Laws Used Against a Victim of Theft and Torture Khaled Mokhaymer
On 28 December, Khaled Mohamed Ali Mekhaymer, a transgender person, was arrested from his home in the Dekhela district of Alexandria.
After his release, he published videos on Facebook and TikTok alleging that he had been tortured inside Dekhela Police Station, accusing police officers of stealing money from his apartment and physically assaulting him.
On 20 April, Khaled Mekhaymer was rearrested and added to Supreme State Security Case No. 2846 of 2026 on charges of using an online platform to commit the crime of promoting a terrorist act and spreading false news and statements intended to disturb public security and undermine the authority of the state.
Since then, his detention has been repeatedly renewed under counterterrorism laws, apparently as punishment for filing complaints that have never been investigated.
- Despite Complaints About Prison Conditions and Suicide Attempts:
Prosecution Visits to Prisons and Claims of “No Complaints”
Despite repeated complaints by detainees regarding prolonged denial of family visits – including Muslim Brotherhood leaders and lawyer Essam Sultan detained in Badr Prison Sector 3 – as well as numerous reports concerning deteriorating health conditions in prisons and allegations of suicide attempts in New Valley Prison, the Public Prosecution’s official Facebook page announced a series of prison inspection visits.
On 3 June, a prosecution delegation visited Minya Maximum Security Prison Sector 3 and its attached medical center. On 4 June, delegations visited the 10th of Ramadan Prison Sectors 1, 3, and 4 and the prison medical center. On 5 June, visits were conducted to Gamasa Maximum Security Prison Sectors 3 and 4. On 8 June, prosecutors visited Badr Prison Sector 2. On 9 June, a delegation from Helwan Prosecution visited 15 May Central Prison Sectors 1, 3, 4, and 6.
The delegations reportedly inspected prison wards and dining halls. According to prosecution statements, no complaints were received from prisoners and detainees were found to be receiving appropriate care.
Third: Prisons and Prisoners
• Transfer of 21 Detainees from Sharqia to Port Said and Minya Maximum Security Prisons
The transfer of detainees to prisons located far from their families’ places of residence raises serious human rights and humanitarian concerns. Such measures impose severe financial burdens and hardship on families and limit their ability to maintain regular communication and visitation.
These consequences become more severe when detainees are transferred to remote or difficult-to-access detention facilities.
During the first half of June, security forces in Sharqia Governorate transferred 21 detainees held in political cases on 10 June from detention centers in Belbeis, Minya El-Qamh, and Abu Hammad police stations to Port Said and Minya maximum security prisons.
Fourth: Lawyers
• Lawyer Targeted for Expressing an Opinion on Facebook
Since 10 June 2026, lawyer Nesma El-Khatib has faced intense attacks from media outlets close to the state, as well as from several lawyers, after publishing a post on her personal Facebook page expressing the view that women engaged in commercial sex work should receive healthcare and social protection.
Many interpreted her statement as a call to legalize prostitution, leading to demands for disciplinary proceedings against her by the Bar Association and for her removal from the lawyers’ registry.
Unfortunately, the Bar Association responded to this campaign and initiated an investigation against her on 15 June 2026. Following the investigation, a final decision was postponed pending review by the General Bar Association’s executive office.
The incident raises broader concerns regarding citizens’, including lawyers’, right to express opinions and call for public discussion on controversial issues without facing intimidation or pressure aimed at silencing them.