Egyptian security forces arrested six journalists working for the independent investigative news platform “Matasaddash” on September 28 and 29, 2026. According to Human Rights Watch, the authorities have likely placed the reporters in enforced disappearance, as their whereabouts remain unknown. Families and lawyers representing the journalists have been denied access or communication with the detainees.
The arrests occurred during raids across various locations in Egypt. The detained individuals constitute the entire editorial team of the platform: Abdullah Qadri, Mohamed Ashraf Abu Omaira, Islam Barakat, Omar Hilal, Mohamed Mahmoud, and Mohamed Adel. Bassam Khaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the simultaneous arrest of a complete newsroom without warning or justification sends a terrifying message to all journalists in Egypt, demonstrating the minimal space remaining for critical coverage.
Founded in 2018, Matasaddash publishes investigations and fact-checks stories concerning public interest issues in Egypt and the broader region. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, whose lawyers represent the six journalists, noted in a statement that security elements conducting the raids did not present arrest or search warrants. They failed to disclose the basis for the arrests or the detention locations. Security personnel also confiscated electronic devices belonging to the journalists and their families.
On October 1, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior acknowledged the arrests, alleging that the journalists were suspected of preparing what it termed “false news broadcasts” for Matasaddash. The ministry claimed the platform was linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, an international social and political movement. However, the ministry did not specify the exact criminal charges faced by the journalists nor reveal their detention sites. The platform denied these allegations.
More than 80 organizations, including Human Rights Watch, condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of the journalists. These detentions occur amidst longstanding restrictions on independent journalism and freedom of expression in Egypt. Egypt remains among the top countries globally for imprisoning journalists; according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 25 journalists are currently behind bars.
In September 2025, authorities detained independent journalist Ismail al-Iskandari due to Facebook posts, charging him with broadcasting false news and joining a terrorist organization. In 2026, authorities prosecuted and imprisoned writer and activist Ahmed Domya on charges of false news related to an article and social media post about detention conditions in Egypt. Human Rights Watch has previously documented the repeated arrest and persecution of peaceful critics, human rights defenders, journalists, and online content creators in Egypt. Authorities routinely violate due process guarantees, subjecting suspects to enforced disappearance and holding them in undisclosed locations.
Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a party, the right to freedom of expression is protected, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information. Under international law, detaining an individual by state forces and refusing to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or disclose their location constitutes enforced disappearance. Khaja emphasized that the isolation of the six journalists raises serious concerns about their safety and due process rights. He urged Egyptian authorities to immediately disclose their locations, allow contact with lawyers and families, and ensure no journalist is detained or persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression or performing their duties.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
