Today.. Supreme State Security Prosecution to Consider Renewal of Journalist Haidar Qandil’s Pretrial Detention on Charges of “Joining a Group”
The Supreme State Security Prosecution is scheduled to hold a session today, Sunday, August 9, 2026, to consider the renewal of the pretrial detention of Haidar Qandil, a journalist with Al-Dostour newspaper, in connection with Case No. 5635 of 2026. The charges against him include allegedly leading and financing a terrorist group, based on an investigation report prepared by the National Security Agency.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution interrogated Qandil several hours after midnight on July 14, 2026, and attributed to him charges of “leading a terrorist group” and “financing a terrorist group,” relying on an investigation report prepared by the National Security Agency.
According to a lawyer from the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR), who is representing Qandil, a substantial portion of the questions raised during the previous interrogation sessions concerned whether Qandil adheres to Shia Islam, whether any members of his family share the same religious affiliation, and the nature of his relationships with Shia Muslims or individuals who have adopted Shia Islam in Egypt.
The case also includes Mustafa Al-Mubarak, whom the prosecution interrogated on July 15, 2026, under similar procedural circumstances and at a similar time. Legal representation during his interrogation was limited to a lawyer who happened to be present at the prosecution’s premises at the time, without the defense team being afforded the opportunity to attend the proceedings in the ordinary course.
As of today, three other defendants in the case have not appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution. Among them is Islam Abdel-Khalek, whom National Security investigation reports relating to journalist Haidar Qandil reportedly identify as one of the principal defendants in the case. His whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not been brought before the investigating authority.
The other two defendants are Amin Ahmed Amin and Mohamed Rabie, whose whereabouts and legal status have remained unknown since their arrest. Neither has been brought before the investigating authorities to date.
