Economist Abdel-Khaleq Farouk’s Detention Renewed for 45 Days on Charges of “Spreading False News”
On May 12, 2025, the Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court, convening at the Badr Court Complex, ordered the renewal of the pretrial detention of economist Abdel-Khaleq Farouk for 45 days, pending investigations in Case No. 4937 of 2024.
Farouk was arrested by security forces in October 2023. He faces charges of joining a terrorist organization, disseminating false information, and misusing social media platforms.
Farouk has submitted complaints regarding the conditions of his detention, stating that he is held in a closed cell for 23 hours per day with inadequate exposure to sunlight, which has adversely affected his physical and psychological health.
He has reportedly suffered recurrent heart attacks during his detention, necessitating his transfer to the prison hospital for treatment. He suffers from chronic health conditions, including coronary artery insufficiency.
It is noteworthy that Abdel-Khaleq Farouk, 67, is widely recognized for his critical writings on economic policy and administrative corruption. He was previously arrested in 2018 following the publication of his book Is Egypt Really a Poor Country?, before being released later.
