Ramadan Without Bars | Shady Mohamed, Labor Leader Imprisoned for ‘Supporting Palestine’
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) is leveraging the holy month of Ramadan—a time symbolizing justice and compassion—to renew its ongoing calls for the immediate release of individuals detained in cases related to freedom of expression, whether they are in pretrial detention or serving sentences.
As part of this effort, ECESR has launched the “Ramadan Without Bars” campaign, which includes a series of articles highlighting individuals imprisoned in expression-related cases. The campaign aims to advocate for their release, as well as for all those facing similar charges.
On April 29, 2024, Shady Mohamed, a founding member of the Permanent Conference for Alexandria Workers and a leader in the independent union of Linen Group—a textiles and home furnishings company—was arrested outside his home in Alexandria. His arrest came one day after five young men were detained for hanging a banner in solidarity with Palestine. Mohamed faces charges of joining an unlawful group, spreading false information, and participating in an illegal assembly.
On January 29, 2025, Mohamed began an open-ended hunger strike in protest of his transfer to Burj Al Arab Prison without explanation and the confiscation of his personal belongings, according to his wife and lawyer.
At the time, Salwa Rashid, Mohamed’s wife, expressed grave concern over losing contact with him, stating that she had received no official information about his health or whereabouts.
During a Badr Criminal Court session on February 18, 2025, held to review his detention renewal, Mohamed’s name appeared on the official list of detainees at 10th of Ramadan Prison – Rehabilitation Unit 6. However, his lawyers informed the judge that he had been transferred to Burj Al Arab Prison. When they sought clarification, prison officials denied having him in custody, according to Rashid.
Recently, Mohamed ended his hunger strike following an improvement in his treatment by prison authorities, Rashid stated after visiting him at the prison hospital.
She confirmed that his health has significantly improved, and he remains in the prison hospital. However, she emphasized that his release remains her primary demand.
Shady Mohamed has been an active labor leader for years. In 2019, he was dismissed from Linen Group after participating in labor protests demanding wage increases.
On October 3, 2022, he was arrested on charges of joining an unlawful group and spreading false information. He was released on October 24, 2022, but was rearrested on April 29, 2024, in connection with the Palestine solidarity arrests.
Following his transfer to Burj Al Arab 2 Prison, he launched a hunger strike to protest harsh detention conditions. Although he later ended the strike after improvements in his treatment, his wife continues to report poor prison conditions.
Rashid has filed an official complaint (No. 1102820) with the Public Prosecutor, reporting her husband’s hunger strike and his reliance on water alone, which she warns poses a serious risk to his health. However, she has yet to receive a clear response regarding his medical condition or exact location.
As Ramadan unfolds, calls are growing louder for the release of Shady Mohamed and all detainees imprisoned for ‘supporting Palestine’ or exercising their right to freedom of expression. Advocates stress that their freedom is a fundamental right, and they should be allowed to reunite with their families and observe Ramadan without the restrictions of incarceration.
