On October 27, 2026, the Cairo New Cairo Court of Misdemeanors, headed by Judge Mohamed Mabrook, ruled that Lina Attallah, editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, be fined EGP 3 million for running a website without a license. The court also ordered the closure of Mada Masr and the confiscation of its equipment. The ruling came after a session marked by controversy, with the defense team objecting to the court's refusal to consider their requests for more time to review the case files and to summon witnesses.
According to Hossam Bahgat, executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, who attended the session, the court ordered the courtroom to be cleared after the defense team requested more time to review the case files. However, the court allowed only Attallah and her defense team to remain. The courtroom was then filled with plainclothes police officers and national security officers. The judge and the public prosecutor then left the courtroom, announcing that the court had rejected all procedural defenses submitted by the defense team.
The defense team refused to present their arguments, citing the court's failure to respond to their requests. The judge then unexpectedly appointed a lawyer to defend Attallah, despite the presence of eight original defense lawyers. Attallah and her defense team rejected the appointed lawyer, but the judge recorded the lawyer's requests in the session minutes without allowing them to speak.
The court's decision to fine Attallah and close Mada Masr has sparked widespread criticism. The website is known for its independent and critical reporting on Egyptian politics and society. The closure and fine are seen as part of a broader crackdown on independent media in Egypt. Attallah was taken into custody by security forces after the ruling.
The case against Mada Masr and Attallah is part of a long-standing campaign by Egyptian authorities to restrict press freedom. The website has faced repeated harassment and intimidation from the authorities, including previous closures and fines. The Egyptian government has been accused of using laws and regulations to silence critical voices and restrict freedom of expression.
The international community has expressed concern over the court's decision and the detention of Attallah. The case has sparked calls for the Egyptian government to respect press freedom and allow independent media to operate without fear of reprisal. The detention of Attallah and the closure of Mada Masr have raised concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Egypt.
Lina Attallah remains in detention, and Mada Masr's equipment has been confiscated. The website's future is uncertain, and its staff face an uncertain future. The case has sparked widespread condemnation of the Egyptian government's actions and calls for greater press freedom and respect for human rights.
Key points
- An Egyptian court has ordered the closure of independent news website Mada Masr and fined its editor-in-chief, Lina Attallah, EGP 3 million for operating without a license.
- The court's decision has sparked widespread criticism and concern over the state of press freedom in Egypt.
- Lina Attallah remains in detention, and Mada Masr's equipment has been confiscated.
