Amanze Chinonye
Egyptian prosecutors have charged six journalists from independent fact-checking platform Matsadaash with terrorism-related offences after security forces detained the entire newsroom during coordinated raids across several governorates, Prime Business Africa reports.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution accused the journalists of joining a terrorist group, spreading false news and using social media to disseminate such information, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), which represents the journalists.
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Authorities also accused the newsroom of collaborating with Egypt’s banned Muslim Brotherhood, receiving foreign funding and fabricating news to undermine state institutions and incite civil unrest, according to ReadDaily News.
The journalists were detained on Sept. 28 and 29 in Cairo and the governorates of Gharbiya and Port Said, according to EIPR and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The six are Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emeira, Abdallah Qadry, Islam Barakat, Omar Helal, Mohamed Adel and Mohamed Mahmoud.
Egyptian authorities said Matsadaash operated an unlicensed online platform managed from abroad and used it to publish what they described as false information, question the performance of state institutions and officials, and encourage public discontent.
Matsadaash co-founder Abdelrahman Mansour has denied any affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood and said the platform is an independent journalistic organisation.
Abu Emeira was the first of the six to appear before prosecutors. After about 10 hours of questioning on Oct. 4, he was ordered to be detained for 15 days pending investigation in Supreme State Security Case No. 8083 of 2026, EIPR said.
By Oct. 7, prosecutors had questioned all six journalists. The prosecution said a National Security Sector investigation found that the journalists had used Matsadaash to publish rumours and false information and undermine confidence in state institutions.
EIPR rejected the allegations, saying prosecutors had not identified any specific Matsadaash report that was demonstrably false or fabricated. It also said the journalists were held for five days before appearing before prosecutors and that their families and lawyers initially could not establish their whereabouts.
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The rights group said some of the journalists told prosecutors they had been subjected to ill-treatment, threats and physical and psychological coercion while in detention. The prosecution rejected allegations of torture, saying forensic examinations found no visible injuries, while three journalists were referred for further forensic examination, according to EIPR.
The arrests have drawn criticism from international rights and press-freedom organisations, including CPJ and Human Rights Watch. CPJ has called for the journalists to be released and for charges arising solely from legitimate journalistic work to be dropped.
Matsadaash, which has operated since 2018, focuses on fact-checking and investigative reporting in Egypt and other Arab countries.
The detention of its entire Egypt-based editorial team has renewed concerns among rights groups about restrictions on independent journalism in Egypt.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
