Journalist Ismail Alexandrani detained for another 45 days

A Cairo criminal court on Sunday extended journalist and researcher Ismail Alexandrani’s pretrial detention for another 45 days.

Alexandrani’s journalistic and academic work has often been critical of government policies. He has been held in detention without trial since November 29, 2015, when he was arrested at Hurghada Airport while trying to re-enter Egypt.

Alexandrani is charged with joining and supporting a terrorist organization, and with spreading false news liable to disturb public security and harm public interest.

Alexandrani denies these charges, saying the writings in question are of a journalistic nature. His publications include articles in Beirut-based newspapers Al-Safir Arabic and Al-Modon, which called the new Suez Canal a delusion, critically addressed the state’s war on Sinai-based militants and used local sources to report details on the Armed Forces’ battle with militants in the Western Desert.

Scholars and rights groups from around the world have called on Egyptian authorities to release Alexandrani.

“This incident is yet another demonstration of the ongoing persecution of opposition journalists and others with dissident opinions. It is a violation and restriction of freedom of thought and expression, and it tramples on all international rights and standards for the protection of freedom of the press and expression; it also contravenes the Egyptian constitution,” wrote 14 local rights groups in a December statement on his arrest.

More than 70 international scholars signed a letter calling for Alexandrani’s release and describing him as “one of Egypt’s brightest young researchers” and “a well respected member of the academic community.” Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists have also called for his release.