The head of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, Khaled El-Balshy, said the petitions seek the release of journalists Mohamed “Oxygen” Ibrahim Redwan and Safaa Mohamed Hassan El-Korbeigy, who are in pretrial detention, as well as a review of the legal status of 15 others who have been referred to trial and, the syndicate says, have exceeded the maximum legal period for pretrial detention.
The requests cite Article 204 of Egypt’s Criminal Procedures Law, which allows the Public Prosecution to release defendants at any time, with or without bail.
El-Balshy said the continued detention of the 15 journalists had surpassed the limits set under Article 143 of the same law and Article 54 of the constitution, which regulates personal liberty and pretrial detention periods.
In the petitions, the syndicate argued that the release of the 15 journalists had become legally mandatory after exceeding the two-year maximum for pretrial detention, adding that some have spent more than five years in custody before referral to trial.
The statement added that this request does not conflict with Article 151 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which gives courts authority over detention decisions once a case is referred to trial. El-Balshy argued that the provision applies to discretionary release, while mandatory release after exceeding legal limits is binding.
Individual cases
According to the syndicate, Mohamed Ibrahim Redwan, known as Mohamed Oxygen, completed his sentence in Case No. 1228 of 2021(State Security Misdemeanors – Emergency) on 3 January.
However, it said he remains in custody after his detention was renewed in connection with Case No. 855 of 2020, which the syndicate stated involves the same charges and facts.
The statement added that other defendants in the same case had previously been released and that Redwan had been questioned in the case six years ago while in pretrial detention in another file.
Safaa Mohamed Hassan El-Korbeigy, a registered syndicate member, has been held in pretrial detention since 6 October 2025 in Case No. 7256 of 2025 (Supreme State Security), according to the petition.
The syndicate stated that she has a known residence and does not pose a flight risk or threat to the investigation, offering to guarantee her attendance and proposing precautionary measures as an alternative to detention.
It also said El-Korbeigy has a physical disability linked to childhood polio and suffers from severe back and foot pain.
Ramadan appeal
El-Balshy described the petitions as a humanitarian appeal to authorities empowered to review the cases, particularly with the approach of Ramadan.
He said numerous journalists have spent extended periods in detention away from their families during the holy month.
The syndicate renewed its broader call for the release of detained journalists and prisoners of conscience, urging the closure of what he described as a painful file and calling for a fresh start.
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