Renewal of Pretrial Detention in Two Cases: Ongoing Deterioration of Sherif El-Rouby’s Health and Risk of Disruption to Mohab Rabie’s University Enrollment

The Cairo Criminal Court, convened at the Badr Courts Complex, ruled on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, to renew the pretrial detention of Sherif Ali Mohamed, known as “Sherif El-Rouby,” for an additional forty-five (45) days pending investigation in Case No. 1634 of 2022, registered with the Supreme State Security Prosecution, despite the continued deterioration of his health condition.

According to statements by his family, Sherif suffers from facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) pain and requires diagnostic imaging of the facial area. He was arrested on 16 September 2022 and has since spent approximately three years and three months in pretrial detention. His detention followed complaints he had raised regarding the lack of employment opportunities available to him and to others who had previously been released.

It is noteworthy that his arrest in the present case occurred approximately three months after his release pursuant to presidential pardon decrees, in connection with Case No. 1111 of 2020.

In a related matter, the Second Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court, also convened at the Badr Courts Complex, ordered the renewal of pretrial detention of student Mohab Rabie Ibrahim for forty-five (45) days pending investigation in Case No. 655 of 2024, registered with the Supreme State Security Prosecution.

Mohab, the son of journalist Rabie Ibrahim, was arrested in February 2024 in connection with alleged monitoring and activity on social media platforms.

Despite his detention, Mohab was able to pursue his studies in the scientific track during the final year of secondary education while in custody, sit for the examinations, and successfully pass with an overall score of 61 percent. However, he was subsequently notified that the Faculty of Education at Cairo University had refused to complete his enrollment, despite his submission of an official certificate issued by the Public Prosecution confirming his detention status. The faculty conditioned enrollment on his personal attendance, resulting in his failure to be registered in any faculty to date.

Mohab’s family hopes that he will not lose another academic year and that his release will enable him to continue his education and enroll alongside his peers. It is further noted that only Mohab and one other individual remain in pretrial detention in connection with this case.