On Wednesday, the Supreme State Security Prosecution has ordered a 15-day detention of political sociologist Ismail Alexandrani pending investigation in Case No. 6469 of 2025. The charges against him include “spreading false news” and “joining a terrorist organization.”
“They stopped me at the Matrouh checkpoint,” Alexandrani posted on Facebook early morning.
Alexandrani was detained on his way back from Siwa Oasis, according to human rights lawyer Khaled Ali, who added that communication with Alexandrani had been lost after his phone was switched off.
Roughly twelve hours later, Hossam Bahgat, executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, confirmed that Alexandrani had appeared before prosecutors and had requested the presence of a lawyer.
Human rights attorney Mahienour El-Massry reported that Alexandrani suffers from chronic health issues and requires a respiratory machine for sleep. However, she noted that the mask component of the device remains in the custody of State Security, raising concerns about his access to essential medical equipment while in detention.
Alexandrani is an expert on Sinai politics, focusing on state-society dynamics and the role of armed Islamist groups. He has been a fellow at the Arab Reform Initiative since 2013.
Alexandrani was first arrested on Nov. 29, 2015, at Hurghada Airport, upon his return from London, where he had been working on a master’s thesis in comparative religion. He was charged with “membership in a banned organization,” “obtaining and disclosing classified information,” and “spreading false information about the security situation in Sinai.”
Following a trial before the North Cairo Military Criminal Court, Alexandrani was sentenced to seven years. He was released on December 4, 2022, after completing his sentence.
His re-arrest raises renewed concerns among civil rights advocates about the persistence of retaliatory prosecutions against researchers, journalists, and political dissidents in Egypt.
