Detention of Said Saber and Nourhan Daraz Renewed for 45 Days on Charges of “Misusing of Social Media”

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, the Cairo Criminal Court, convening at the Badr Judicial Complex, ordered the renewal of the pretrial detention of journalist Said Saber Said Salem in Case No. 6499 of 2024, and Nourhan El-Sayed Ahmed Daraz, a retired department head at the Directorate of Social Affairs, in Case No. 3528 of 2024, for an additional 45 days pending investigation. The charges brought against them include misuse of social media, spreading false news, and membership in a terrorist organization.

Said Saber, known for his sharp-witted articles and short stories, was arrested by security forces from his residence on the evening of November 27, 2024. He was forcibly disappeared for a period before being presented to the prosecution for investigation over a Facebook post.

The Supreme State Security Prosecution charged him with joining a terrorist group, disseminating false information, and misusing social media platforms. On March 2, 2025, the prosecution ordered the renewal of his detention for the seventh time, extending it by 15 days, despite his deteriorating health condition—he had undergone two heart surgeries and suffers from multiple chronic illnesses.

Saber is a satirical journalist who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Cairo University. He has written for several Egyptian and Arab news outlets and published multiple short story collections, including Ghalia, Bo’ Bo’, The Pasta Farm, Soti and the General, in addition to a book of essays titled WithoutNonsense.

Since his arrest, his family has endured a painful wait, holding out hope for his release with each court session. However, holidays and special occasions continue to pass in his absence.

Security forces also arrested Nourhan Daraz, 54, from her home in the Hadayek Al-Ahram district of Giza on the evening of August 5, 2024. She was held incommunicado for 12 days before appearing before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in New Cairo on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

Daraz was interrogated in connection with a Facebook post in which she criticized the political and economic situation in Egypt. She was subsequently ordered into 15-day pretrial detention on charges of membership in a banned group, receiving foreign funding, spreading false news, and misusing social media platforms. She was transferred to Al-Ashir min Ramadan Women’s Prison.

While in detention, Daraz has complained of being denied access to medications and basic necessities such as blankets, despite her fragile health condition, which requires specialized medical care. She suffers from a uterine tumor requiring surgical removal, relies on thyroid medication following a thyroidectomy, and has other chronic health issues that necessitate continuous medical supervision.

Her family has submitted urgent appeals to the relevant authorities, calling for her immediate release on humanitarian and medical grounds, citing the absence of any legal basis for the continued deprivation of her liberty.