Alaa Abd El Fattah | Status: Imprisoned | Egypt
Alaa Abd El Fattah is an Egyptian activist, software developer, and blogger. After being sentenced to a month of jail in absentia, he received a five years sentence in… More
Open Letter to the Egyptian Ministry of Justice
We, the undersigned, call for an open and transparent investigation into the jailing and death of Shady Habash, a 24-year-old filmmaker who died in custody. More
Galal El-Behairy, Imprisoned in Egypt
Galal El-Behairy is an Egyptian poet and songwriter. He was arrested and sentenced to prison for his criticism of the government expressed in his lyrics. More
Mahmoud Abou Zeid (Shawkan) | Status: Conditional Release | Egypt
Shawkan is a journalist and photographer who often depicts daily cultural life and produces street portraits. He is a contributor to publications such as Time Magazine, Die Zeit, BILD,… More
Egypt: Health condition of detained writer Ibrahim al-Husseini deteriorating
PEN is deeply concerned about the health condition of Ibrahim al-Husseini, an Egyptian writer who has been detained since his arrest on December 9, 2018. More
Detention of Writer Ibrahim al-Husseini a Grievous Attack on Free Expression in Egypt
“While attacks on individual free expression in today's Egypt are nothing new, the detention and ill treatment of an elderly writer for his online comments is a disgrace,” said Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director… More
Conviction of Photojournalist Shawkan is an Absurd Injustice
The conviction - for murder and membership in a terrorist organization - handed down to photojournalist Mahmoud Abou Zeid, known as Shawkan, is an absurd injustice. More
Egypt: prominent writer and blogger under arrest and investigation
PEN is deeply concerned about the detention of Wael Abbas, a prominent Egyptian blogger and political activist. He has been arbitrarily detained since his arrest on May 24, 2018, when… More
Egypt’s Grim Blow to Freedom of Expression and Human Rights: The Tortured Poet Galal El-Behairy Must be Freed
The Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy is currently detained and faces charges in the Military Court related to his latest book of poetry, The Finest Women on Earth. More
Egypt: Ongoing arbitrary detention and serious health concerns of prominent writer
PEN is deeply concerned about the well-being of Hesham Gaafar, a prominent Egyptian writer and the head of Mada Foundation for Media Development (MADA). Gaafar has been arbitrary detained since October 21,… More