Urgent Action - Egypt: Mada Masr faces closure, editor risks jail: Lina Attalah

Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of independent Egyptian media outlet Mada Masr, faces criminal trial on 11 November 2026 on charges of “spreading false information” solely for the outlet’s independent journalism. She risks a one-year prison sentence. In separate proceedings on 27 October, the New Cairo Misdemeanours Courtconvicted Lina Attalah of “managing an unlicensed website”, fined her three million Egyptian pounds and ordered Mada Masr’s closure. Her appeal against this ruling is scheduled for 25 November 2026. The authorities must drop the charges against Lina Attalah, quash the closure order against Mada Masr and allow it to operate freely.

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Dear Counsellor, I am writing to express my concern about the prosecution of prominent journalist Lina Attalah and the threat of forced closure facing Mada Masr, one of Egypt’s leading independent media outlets. On 11 November 2026, Lina Attalah faces trial on charges of “spreading false information” and “operating a website without a licence”, solely in connection with Mada Masr’s independent reporting. “Spreading false information” is not a recognizable charge under international law since it does not constitute a legitimate limitation on freedom of expression under international human rights standards. Furthermore, the UN Human Rights Committee explicitly clarified in its General Comment No. 34 that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Egypt is a party prohibits blanket bans on conveying erroneous opinions or inaccurate accounts of historical events. In separate proceedings on 27 October 2026, the New Cairo Misdemeanours Court convicted Lina Attalah in her capacity as editor-in-chief of managing an unlicensed website, imposed the maximum fine of three million Egyptian pounds (54,467 USD) and ordered the closure of Mada Masr. Security forces violently arrested her at the court following the ruling and held her until the fine was paid. She was released several hours later. The appeal is scheduled for 25 November 2026. The proceedings raised serious fair trial concerns. The judge refused to grant defence lawyers request for an adjournment to give them adequate time to prepare and rejected their requests to submit additional documents and summon witnesses. This rushed trial and the imposition of the maximum penalty heighten concerns that Lina Attalah could be imprisoned following her forthcoming trial and Mada Masr definitively closed following the appeal hearing. Mada Masr has repeatedly sought a licence since 2018. The authorities have either failed to respond to its applications or refused authorization. The outlet should not face closure, which can never be a proportionate sanction because of a licensing system that the authorities have used to obstruct its work. Under human rights standards, media registration must not serve as a means of silencing independent journalism. I urge you to ensure that all charges against Lina Attalah are immediately dropped since they related solely to Mada Masr’s independent reporting and that she is not detained for exercising her right to freedom of expression. The authorities must quash the closure order against Mada Masr and halt any measures to enforce Mada’s property seizure pending their reversal. They must grant Mada Masr a licence to operate, lift the blocking of its website and allow Mada Masr to operate freely without further harassment or intimidation. Yours sincerely,
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Urgent Action – Egypt: Mada Masr faces closure, editor risks jail: Lina Attalah

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Urgent Action – Egypt: Mada Masr faces closure, editor risks jail: Lina Attalah

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