Cairo Criminal Court Extends Student’s Detention for 45 Days over Alleged Affiliation with “Ultras Ahlawy”

On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the Appeals Chamber of the Cairo Criminal Court, convening at the Badr Judicial Complex, ordered the extension of pretrial detention for student Basel Suleiman Abdel-Badea for an additional 45 days, pending investigations in State Security Case No. 744 of 2023.

Abdel-Badea was apprehended by security forces in May 2023, along with several Al Ahly Club supporters, following coordinated arrests at their residences. The arrests were reportedly linked to calls advocating for the boycott of Cairo Stadium and the “Tazkarti” ticketing platform. Prosecutors have charged the defendants with joining a terrorist organization allegedly the “Ultras Ahlawy”, committing acts of vandalism, and planning hostile activities.

During the detention renewal hearing, the defense counsel representing the Egyptian Center challenged the evidentiary basis of the charges, asserting the absence of sufficient grounds for Abdel-Badea’s continued detention. The defense further requested his release, referencing precedent in the case where other defendants had been granted provisional release.