An editor and columnist at Youm7, Shehta was arrested by security forces on August 30, 2020 on unknown charges and held in pre-trial detention. Days earlier, he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating. He lost consciousness during the arrest and was taken to an intensive care unit, where he was handcuffed to the bed. Shehta was released after 10 months due to health concerns raised by his family.
