Fears are mounting for Eman el-Shazly, a 45-year-old British mother detained in Egypt, who her family alleges is being held on baseless charges intended to silence her sister's online political activism. El-Shazly was taken from her mother's home in Cairo on August 17, according to her husband, Zeesharn Moustapha.
According to Moustapha, Egyptian security forces had visited the home the previous day, warning el-Shazly to tell her sister to cease her online criticism of the Egyptian government. The following morning, security forces arrested el-Shazly. Her family reports that her two brothers and another sister have also been detained on what they describe as fabricated charges.
Moustapha has urged the British government to intervene, stating that el-Shazly's condition in prison is deteriorating. He described the detention as "illegal collective punishment" and expressed concerns for his mother-in-law, who now has four children in detention.
El-Shazly, a mother of four from Handsworth Wood, had traveled to Cairo to care for her ill mother. Her husband, who has visited Egypt with his wife multiple times a year for two decades, fears he might also be detained if he travels there now.
Family members who visited el-Shazly and her detained sister on September 2 reported that both women appeared physically and psychologically unwell, noting they were not eating properly and had lost weight. During the brief visit, family members reported being subjected to verbal and physical intimidation by officers.
Egyptian authorities have accused el-Shazly of using social media to promote the ideas of a terrorist organization and spreading false news that harms security and public order. Her UK lawyer, Arfan Rashid, stated that there is no known evidence of specific publications by el-Shazly and believes the charges are a punitive measure against her sister, describing it as "punishment by proxy."
El-Shazly's detention was extended for an additional 15 days following a hearing on August 30. Her lawyer has stated that she has not been permitted a private meeting, with all communication occurring via video link in the presence of the prosecutor overseeing the case.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has stated that it is supporting the family of the detained British national and is in contact with Egyptian authorities. The FCDO website notes that while political parties, civil society, and media operate under strict rules in Egypt, individuals involved in activities deemed a risk to national security by Egyptian authorities can face arrest and detention. The authorities are reported to closely monitor press and social media and continue to target political opponents, activists, and commentators.