Activist Ahmed Douma Referred to Trial on 'False News' Charges

Egyptian activist and writer Ahmed Douma — a prominent figure from the 2011 revolution who has faced repeated detention under the Sisi government — was referred to trial before the New Cairo Misdemeanour Court on April 29, 2026 on charges of spreading 'false news.' Amnesty International flagged the referral as emblematic of Egypt's ongoing crackdown on dissent and political expression. The case follows UN human rights experts raising alarm in March 2026 over Egypt's mass detention and deportation of refugees, particularly Sudanese and Syrian nationals who fled war into Egypt.