Activist Mohamed Adel Faces Alleged Prison Assault Amid Worsening Health and Prolonged Repression
- Human Rights Research Center
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
January 27, 2026
HRRC strongly condemns the reported assault and ill-treatment of detained Egyptian activist Mohamed Adel and the authorities’ failure to provide for his safety and health while in prison. These abuses reflect a broader pattern of repression, impunity and disregard for the rule of law, for which the responsible state institutions must be held fully accountable.
![Mohamed Adel [Image source: Committee for Justice]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_cc38b154789c4a6b9fc6767091352bb1~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_cc38b154789c4a6b9fc6767091352bb1~mv2.png)
Egyptian and international human rights organizations have raised alarm over serious allegations of abuse against detained activist Mohamed Adel, describing them as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated repression and violations of due process in Egypt. Mohamed Adel is an Egyptian political activist and a founding member of the April 6 Youth Movement, and has been politically active since 2005 through his involvement with the Kefaya movement. Kefaya (the Egyptian Movement for Change) emerged in 2004 as a broad opposition coalition rejecting political inheritance, authoritarian rule, and emergency laws, and calling for democratic reform and civil liberties in Egypt.
According to human rights groups, Adel was assaulted and nearly strangled inside his cell on January 10, 2026, at the 10th of Ramadan (4) Rehabilitation Center,a facility situated on the Cairo–Ismailia desert highway. The assault was allegedly carried out by other detainees with the knowledge and inaction of prison authorities. His wife, Rufida Hamdi, testified before prosecutors that the attack occurred after Adel was forcibly moved to an unsuitable “reception ward,” where he was beaten, threatened with death and choked, while security personnel failed to intervene.
Hamdi said that Adel’s health has significantly worsened due to an ongoing hunger strike since December 2025, marked by severe weight loss and denial of exercise and posing serious risks to his life. Despite formal complaints and requests for both a medical examination and review of surveillance footage, the Ministry of Interior denied that the incident occurred and threatened Adel’s wife for publicizing his testimony of the event.
The case unfolds against a long background of judicial harassment. Adel was sentenced in September 2023 to four years in prison for “spreading false news,” despite already spending nearly five years in pretrial detention for peaceful expression. Human rights organizations argue that his repeated prosecutions, extended detention beyond legal limits and unfair trials exemplify Egyptian authorities’ pattern of targeting political activists under vague security charges.
Human rights groups are demanding Adel’s immediate release, an independent medical examination and accountability for those responsible, warning that his continued detention reflects a sustained erosion of human rights and the rule of law in Egypt.
Glossary
Accountability – Responsibility for actions and being answerable for them.
Allegedly – It is used to describe an action or situation that someone claims happened, but that has not been confirmed or proven, especially a crime.
Assault – A physical attack on someone.
Choked – Unable to breathe properly because the throat was squeezed or blocked.
Condemns – Strongly criticizes or expresses disapproval.
Detention – Being kept in custody or held by authorities.
Due Process – In practice, procedural due process means that the government must give people a chance to defend themselves in a fair hearing.
Erosion – Gradual weakening or loss of rights, values, or systems.
Exemplify – To clearly show or be a good example of something.
Hunger Strike – It is a method of non-violent resistance where participants fast as an act of political protest.
Judicial Harassment – it is the misuse of judicial processes by state authorities to silence and harass human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents.
Pretrial – The period before a court trial begins.Prosecution – Legal process of charging and trying someone in court.
Repression – Harsh control or suppression of people’s rights and freedoms.
Sentenced – To declare the punishment decided for a person convicted of a crime.
Surveillance – Close watching or monitoring of people.
Testified – Gave evidence or a statement officially, especially in court or to authorities.
Vague – of uncertain, indefinite or unclear character or meaning.
Violations – an act of breaking a law or rule.
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