El-Massry was interrogated for more than six hours. The Prosecution informed her and her defence team that thirteen complaints had been filed against her by citizens from various governorates between 9 and 11 August. Notably, these complaints were processed with unusual speed, and the subsequent investigations were completed in less than three days, after which El-Massry’s summoning order for questioning was issued on August 14th.

Neither El-Massry nor her defence were permitted access to the complaints, their content, or the identities of those who filed them. During questioning, the Prosecution stated that the investigations into these complaints confirmed “the veracity of the allegations,” centred on El-Massry’s alleged use of a social media account “to discredit State institutions and claim the absence of justice.” The Prosecution further relied on investigative findings asserting that she had “published false news” regarding correctional and rehabilitation centres. Among the posts presented to her during interrogation were social media posts she had re-shared, including a political cartoon and posts expressing disapproval of the authorities’ refusal to permit a demonstration in solidarity with Palestine, for which the organisers had submitted a formal request.

It is noteworthy that this represents the fourth case registered with the Supreme State Security Prosecution in which the human rights lawyer has been investigated since 2019. She was first arrested in 2019 in connection with Case No. 488 of 2019, and remained in pre-trial detention until she was later charged in a separate matter, Case No. 855 of 2020, before being released in 2021. In April 2024, El-Massry was again detained, along with at least 18 others—mostly women’s rights activists—while participating in a peaceful women’s vigil outside the regional headquarters of UN Women, in solidarity with women in Palestine and Sudan and in protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. She was released on bail pending investigation in that matter, Case No. 1567 of 2024 (Supreme State Security).