A file photo of Egyptian publisher and liberal activist Hisham Kassem. Photo: Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
Kassem – who was detained since 20 August -- will remain in custody pending sentencing.
On 29 July, Abu Eita filed a libel and slander lawsuit against Qassem for a Facebook post that accused him of corruption.
The public prosecution questioned Qassem and ordered his release on EGP 5,000 bail.
However, the renowned publisher refused to post the bail and declared on X (formerly Twitter) on 20 August that he had been unfairly detained.
He was later charged with verbally assaulting police officers at Sayeda Zeinab police station.
Last week, Nasser Amin, Kassem's lawyer, told Ahram Online that the publisher's family announced that he was on hunger strike and was only taking in fluids after visiting him in detention.
Kassem plans to remain on hunger strike until his release, according to Amin.
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