Despite Deteriorating Health, Detention of Journalist Sayed Saber and Nourhan Deraz Extended for 45 Days over “Facebook Posts”
On Sunday, 10 August 2025, the Second Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court, sitting at the Badr Courts Complex, ordered the extension of the pretrial detention of journalist and writer Sayed Saber for a further 45 days, pending investigations in Case No. 6499 of 2024. The same order was issued for Nourhan El-Sayed Ahmed Deraz, in connection with Case No. 3528 of 2024.
An attorney from the Egyptian Center attended Saber’s detention renewal hearing, requesting his immediate release and adequate medical care. On 25 April 2025, Saber underwent cardiac surgery and was admitted to the prison medical center before being returned to his cell at the 10th of Ramadan Prison.
On 21 February 2025, Saber was absent from his family’s usual birthday gathering. This time, there was no celebration—his absence was enforced by the circumstances of his imprisonment, far from his freedom and loved ones. His laughter and the stories he used to share were missing, replaced by quiet conversations about their hopes for his release.
Known for his sharp wit and satirical writing, Sayed Saber was arrested by security forces at his home on the evening of 27 November 2024. He was taken to an undisclosed location before being brought before the prosecution over a Facebook post.
The Supreme State Security Prosecution charged him with membership of a terrorist organization, spreading false news, and misuse of social media. On 2 March 2025, his detention was renewed for the seventh time for an additional 15 days, despite his poor health. He has undergone two heart surgeries and suffers from chronic illnesses.
Moreover, security forces arrested Nourhan—a retired deputy director at the Directorate of Social Affairs—from her home in Hadayek Al-Ahram, Giza, on the evening of 5 August 2024. She was held incommunicado for 12 days before appearing before the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Fifth Settlement on Saturday, 17 August 2024.
She was interrogated over a Facebook post criticizing the economic and political situation, and was remanded in custody for 15 days on charges of joining a banned group, receiving foreign funding, spreading false news, and misuse of social media. She was later transferred to the 10th of Ramadan Women’s Prison.
Nourhan has reported being denied essential medication and blankets in prison, despite her deteriorating health, which requires specialized medical attention. She suffers from a uterine tumor requiring surgery, needs thyroid medication following a thyroidectomy, and has other chronic conditions that demand constant medical monitoring.
Her family has repeatedly appealed to the relevant authorities for her immediate release and an end to her suffering, citing her urgent medical needs and the lack of any legal grounds for keeping her in detention.
