Ramadan Without Bars | Football Fans Behind Bars .. Freedom for the Supporters
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) takes the opportunity of the holy month of Ramadan—a time symbolizing justice and compassion—to renew its calls for the immediate release of individuals detained in connection with opinion-related cases, whether they are held in pretrial detention or serving sentences.
As part of this effort, ECESR is launching the “Ramadan Without Bars” campaign, featuring a series of articles highlighting cases of individuals detained for exercising their right to free expression. The campaign seeks to advocate for their release, along with all others detained in similar cases, reaffirming their fundamental right to freedom.
On a summer night in July 2020, Ahmed Hesham Shahin, known among his friends as “Bahar” (Sailor), was preparing to attend a match of his favorite club, Zamalek. As an active member of the Ultras White Knights, stadiums were his second home, and chants were his means of expressing passion. However, that night took a different turn when security forces arrested him, charging him with membership in a banned group, spreading false news, and misusing social media platforms. Since then, he has remained in pretrial detention, exceeding twice the legally permitted period.
“Bahar” was not the only one to face such legal circumstances. In April 2023, following a match played by Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium, Ahmed Mamoun Shaker Abou El-Rous and Ali Osman Ali were arrested and initially held at Nasr City Police Station for two days. Despite the prosecution’s decision to release them on bail, they were subsequently transferred to the Supreme State Security Prosecution, which charged them with membership in a terrorist organization, financing unlawful activities, spreading false news, and misusing social media platforms. They were placed in pretrial detention under Case No. 508 of 2023 (Supreme State Security), with their detention repeatedly extended, nearing the legal maximum duration permitted for pretrial detention.
In October 2024, the Cairo Criminal Court renewed the detention of Basel Suleiman Abdel-Badie, a young university student, for 45 days under Case No. 744 of 2022, widely known as the “Ultras Ahlawy 2” case. He was charged with membership in a terrorist group, misuse of social media, and dissemination of false news.
These cases reflect a broader pattern concerning football supporters in Egypt. In May 2023, the Supreme State Security Prosecution extended the detention of 72 Al Ahly fans for 15 days pending investigations, accusing them of attempting to revive the legally banned Ultras Ahlawy group.
Similarly, Sayed Ali Fahim, known as “Sayed Mosha’ghib”, the leader of Zamalek’s Ultras White Knights, was imprisoned and prosecuted on multiple charges, including arson at Cairo Stadium and the Nasr City Conference Hall, as well as attempted murder.
These incidents underscore the challenges faced by football supporters in Egypt. Against this backdrop, ECESR urges the authorities to release detained fans, including students, and calls for their release under the same legal grounds that have led to the discharge of others in comparable cases. The continued detention of these young individuals adversely impacts their education and career prospects, reinforcing the need for a distinction between legitimate sports enthusiasm and conduct that constitutes a genuine threat to public security.
As Ramadan unfolds, calls intensify for the release of football supporters and all detainees imprisoned for expressing their opinions—so they may reunite with their families, reclaim their fundamental freedoms, and ensure that their Ramadan is not spent behind bars.
