Egyptian Center Expresses Solidarity with Labor Leader Shady Mohamed’s Wife in Demanding Disclosure of His Whereabouts Amid Hunger Strike
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) expresses deep concern over the uncertain fate of labor activist Shady Mohamed, who has entered his second week of a hunger strike in protest against harsh detention conditions and his transfer to Borg El Arab Prison, according to his wife and lawyer.
Salwa Rashid, Shady’s wife, voiced serious concern after losing contact with him for 14 days, stating that she has received no information regarding his health condition or current place of detention.
During a Badr Criminal Court hearing on February 18, 2025, convened to review his pretrial detention, Shady’s name appeared on the list of detainees held at El-Asher Prison – Rehabilitation 6. However, lawyers informed the judge that he had been transferred to Borg El Arab Prison. When they sought confirmation, prison officials denied his presence, according to Salwa.
Shady Mohamed is a founding member of the Permanent Conference for Alexandria Workers and a leading figure in the independent trade union of Lenin Group for Textiles and Furnishings. In 2019, he was arbitrarily dismissed from the company after participating in labor protests demanding fair wages.
On October 3, 2022, he was arrested and charged with joining a terrorist organization and spreading false news before being released on October 24, 2022. However, on April 29, 2024, he was rearrested outside his home in Alexandria, just one day after five young men were detained for displaying a banner in solidarity with Palestine.
Following his transfer to Borg El Arab 2 Prison, Shady Mohamed launched an open-ended hunger strike in protest against dire detention conditions. His wife reported that he is suffering from severe mistreatment, adding that she filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office (No. 1102820) to report his total hunger strike, during which he is consuming only water, posing a grave risk to his life. However, she has received no clear response regarding his whereabouts or health condition.
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) calls on authorities to immediately disclose Shady Mohamed’s location and ensure his physical and psychological well-being. The center further demands his immediate and unconditional release and the dismissal of all charges against him, affirming its readiness to provide legal support.
