Egypt: CFWIJ Welcomes Sanaa Seif’s Release After 18 Months In Jail

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December 23, 2021, Cairo – Sanaa Seif, activist, writer and film editor was released from jail after serving 18 months convicted on bogus charges of spreading false news, misusing social media and insulting a police officer. The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes her release, however, we reiterate our stance that her arrest should have not happened in the first place and her conviction was unjust.

The activist, writer and film editor, Sanaa Seif was convicted for 18 months on March 17, 2021. Her release was confirmed on Thursday by her sister who shared her picture on Twitter, writing “The official release photo”.

Sanaa was detained without any warrants on June 23, 2020, outside the public prosecutors’ office, where she went to file a complaint about the assault she suffered a night before. On June 22, 2020, Sanaa was peacefully protesting outside the Tora prison complex to obtain a letter about her arbitrarily detained brother. Sanaa was with her mother, sister, and another activist friend when they were attacked by a group of women with sticks. The violent attack left clear marks of bruises on the ladies. Reportedly the police officer also pushed Sana’s mother, Laila Soueif towards the violent women. Another police officer also asked the attacking women to take Sanaa and her family outside while they were beating them. 

This is not the first time Sanaa is facing state oppression. According to Amnesty International, Sanna took part in the peaceful demonstrations of the 2011 revolution and has since been committed to promoting economic and social rights and campaigning for the release of prisoners of conscience. Due to these activities, she had already spent several months in prison between 2014 and 2016.

Sanaa’s brother Alaa Abd el-Fattah, one of Egypt's most prominent human rights defenders was sentenced on December 20, 2021 to five years for spreading false news.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the news on Sanaa’s release, however, we condemn the state-backed persecution against her.  We also call again for an in-depth investigation of the assault that Sanaa and her family suffered. The Egyptian government must stop persecuting dissent voices and let free speech flourish in the country.