Ashraf Omar, a cartoonist for the independent news outlet Al-Manassa, was arrested on July 22, 2024, and held in an undisclosed location for two days. On July 24 he appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP), and was charged with multiple offenses, including joining a terrorist group with knowledge of its purposes, spreading false news, and misusing social media. Human rights lawyer Hassan Al-Azheri, told Al-Manassa that Omar could face up to 10 years in prison for the charge of joining a terrorist group alone.
The SSSP questioned Omar about his cartoons addressing Egypt's economic situation and electricity shortage, according to Al-Manassa. His wife posted on social media that Omar was tortured, beaten, and threatened with electric shocks, according to the independent news site Darb. Security authorities recorded Omar’s arrest as occurring on July 24, likely to conceal his two-day disappearance, his wife, Nada Mougheeth, told The New Arab.
Omar is held in Al-Ashir Prison, Rehabilitation 6, located in Sharqia Governorate. CPJ was unable to determine the status of his health in prison.
Omar’s arrest comes amid a new wave of journalist detentions in Egypt.
The Ministry of Interior, responsible for the police, prison system, and prosecutor general’s office, did not respond to CPJ’s email inquiries sent regarding Omar’s case in late 2024.