On August 22, Egyptian security agents illegally arrested Gamal Abdel Hamid Ziada , the father of Ahmed Gamal Ziada – a journalist and editor-in-chief of the independent news web siteZawia3 now living in exile in Belgium.
Gamal Ziada owns a clothing manufacturing workshop and holds a Facebook account to promote his work. He has not been engaged in any political activities and was never arrested before August 2023, Ahmed Ziada confirmed to the IFJ.
On the afternoon of 22 August security forces arrested him near his workplace, checked his ID and confiscated his mobile phone. No arrest warrant was presented. Ziada was taken to an unknown location, and before the interrogations began, four different officers asked him whether his son was Ahmed Gamal Ziada. During the questioning, they blindfolded and handcuffed him, inquiring about his son in Belgium. The next day, Ziada appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution and was charged with allegations including misuse of social media, spreading false news, and belonging to a banned group. He is detained in the Tenth of Ramadan Prison for 15 days pending investigations. His family was unable to see him.
Ahmed Ziada told the IFJ that his father's arrest was a reaction to Zwawia's early coverage of upcoming presidential elections, that are scheduled in February 2024.
The news website Zwawia3 was launched "with the aim of creating a space for investigative and analytical journalism in Egypt", focusing on human rights and politics including the upcoming presidential elections . Zwawia3 has published reports critical of Egyptian president el-Sisi.
Ahmed Ziada who has worked with news web sites such as Mada Masr, Raseef 22, Daraj and Middle East Eye was previously arrested in relation to his work in December 2013 for allegedly “engaging in violent protests” and in February 2019 on alleged charges of publishing and broadcasting false news.
"We are outraged by Egyptian authorities' persistent attempts to intimidate and silence families and relatives of journalists who criticize the government from abroad”, said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger “This is even more concerning while Egypt is preparing for its upcoming elections where the public should be duly informed to enjoy fully their right to vote. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Gamal Ziada and urge the Egyptian authorities to release the 24 journalists currently imprisoned and let them work freely.”
On 30 August the State Security Prosecution ordered the renewal of the detention of Gamal Ziada for 15 days pending investigation.
Gamal Ziada was released on 20 September, after 28 days of detention.