Yesterday, the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) questioned Seif El-Din Adel (Bachelors of Engineering, 24 years old) in connection to case No. 3562/2025 (Supreme State Security Investigations). He was charged with joining a terrorist group and remanded in custody for 15 days. The case includes other individuals who were detained after some of them hung banners expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Seif was arrested from his home on 13 May. For 21 days, his family was unable to contact him or learn the reason for his arrest or his place of detention. None of the complaints submitted to the Public Prosecutor regarding Seif’s arrest and enforced disappearance have received a response.

Case No. 3562 of 2025 emerged after several individuals displayed banners in support of Palestine. They were subsequently arrested, including lawyer Seif Mamdouh, who was detained at his office located on the same street where Seif El-Din Adel resides. It is noteworthy that the case also includes other acquaintances of  hanging the banners whowere part of a closed WhatsApp group but have not participated in any activity.

The case now includes 20 individuals, all arrested in May. However, investigations only began in early June. The detainees are currently held in various “Rehabilitation and Correction Centres” in 10th of Ramadan Section 5, Badr 1, and Abu Zaabal prison.

Since the beginning of the war of aggression on Gaza in October 2023, and the ongoing and unrelenting genocidal campaign against Palestinians; Egyptian security forces have arrested 186 individuals across 16 Supreme State Security cases. All are accused of “terrorism” charges based on peaceful expressions of support for Palestinians in Gaza—whether through demonstrations, raising banners, or simply contributing to relief efforts. The most recent case marks a dangerous escalation: detention and investigation now poses a threat not only to those who show public support for Gaza, but apparently could also extend to their friends and acquaintances.

As of June 2025, 150 individuals remain detained across 12 cases, including at least three minors who were under 18 at the time of arrest. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) has previously documented other cases where individuals expressing solidarity with Palestine were detained but later released, in connection with different charges (such as unlawful assembly) or without being charged at all  following brief detention.

EIPR once again urges Public Prosecutor Mohamed Shawky to immediately release all detainees arbitrarily arrested for expressing support and solidarity with Palestine, to drop all charges against them, and to close all ongoing related investigations. EIPR reaffirms the constitutional and legal obligation of all Egyptian authorities to guarantee and protect the right of every Egyptian citizen to peacefully express political views, including solidarity with the Palestinian people or condemnation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Such views are supposed to be in alignment with Egypt’s officially declared position on the Palestinian cause.