18/07/2026
| The Supreme State Security Prosecution has ordered the detention of Dr. Mohamed Zahran for 15 days pending investigation in Case No. 5773 of 2026, State Security β following his appearance before the prosecution today, after all contact with him was severed since his arrest from his home on the evening of 15 July 2026.
According to available information, Dr. Zahran has been charged with "publishing false news and statements" and "using a social media account to promote a terrorist crime" β in connection with posts relating to a call for a teachers' meeting to discuss the implementation of judicial rulings, and others containing commentary on matters of public concern.
During the investigation, Dr. Mohamed Zahran clarified that the call for the meeting was intended to discuss mechanisms for implementing judicial rulings concerning the termination of the custodianship over the Educational Professions Syndicate, affirming that he had not set a date or venue for the meeting pending the obtaining of the necessary legal authorisations.
Dr. Mohamed Zahran is one of the most prominent defenders of teachers' rights and trade union independence, and has previously been subjected to legal proceedings and detention orders in connection with his trade union activities and demands for the holding of Educational Professions Syndicate elections and the implementation of judicial rulings issued in that regard.
π JHR affirms that the prosecution of trade unionists for their peaceful activities or opinions related to the defence of professional and trade union rights constitutes a violation of freedom of opinion, expression, and freedom of trade union organisation β as guaranteed by the Egyptian Constitution and international conventions.
π JHR considers that the use of pre-trial detention in cases linked to the exercise of trade union rights and peaceful expression raises serious concerns regarding the expanding criminalisation of public activity, and undermines the fundamental guarantees of civic participation.
π JHR demands the immediate release of Dr. Mohamed Zahran, the guarantee of full respect for his legal rights, and an end to prosecutions linked to the peaceful exercise of trade union activity β so as to ensure the protection of the right to organise and freedom of expression.
π For further statements and human rights reports:
https://jhrngo.org/