On October 8, 2026, the Egyptian Public Prosecution issued a statement regarding investigations into several individuals working for the social media page 'Matsadqsh', including a member registered with the Egyptian Journalists' Syndicate. According to the statement, the page is allegedly one of the media platforms of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that has been outlawed in Egypt. The page is managed by several Brotherhood members from abroad and operated by others within Egypt.
The investigations were initiated after the National Security Sector received intelligence indicating that Muslim Brotherhood leaders, who have fled abroad, had instructed their cadres to create and manage social media pages and platforms to spread rumors, false news, and data. The aim was to undermine the performance of state institutions and their officials, ultimately leading to public unrest and protests. The prosecution stated that six individuals were arrested and interrogated in the presence of their lawyers.
During interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to joining the Muslim Brotherhood and working on the 'Matsadqsh' page, which is overseen by a Brotherhood member abroad. He stated that they received organizational meetings and instructions through various social media applications, informing them of the Brotherhood's plan to overthrow state institutions. The suspect and others allegedly spread false news and rumors about state institutions and their officials.
The investigations revealed that the suspects received monthly funding in foreign currency through bank transfers from a company owned by a Muslim Brotherhood member abroad. A search of one suspect's phone uncovered closed groups on a secure messaging application, which included him, the other arrested individuals, and the Brotherhood member abroad. The prosecution also found evidence of email messages sent from the latter to the arrested suspects.
The prosecution's investigation found that one of the suspects, a journalist, had posted messages on social media supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and calling for the overthrow of the government. Although he denied posting the messages, technical evidence confirmed that he had done so. The other suspects denied joining the Muslim Brotherhood, except for one who admitted to previously being a member but claimed to have left before working on the 'Matsadqsh' page.
All the suspects acknowledged working on the 'Matsadqsh' page, which is managed from abroad, and receiving regular financial payments in US dollars. One suspect stated that the page aimed to highlight domestic issues, exaggerate problems, and publish negative news about various sectors and officials, ultimately creating public discontent and potentially leading to protests and demonstrations against state institutions.
The Egyptian Public Prosecution has ordered the detention of the suspects pending further investigations. The prosecution also referred three suspects who claimed to have been subjected to violence during interrogation to the Forensic Medicine Authority, which found no evidence of injuries or signs of violence.
Key points
- The 'Matsadqsh' social media page is allegedly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and aimed to spread false news and rumors to undermine state institutions.
