AYA
KAMAL EL-DIN HUSSEIN

Background and Work

Aya Kamal El-Din Hussein is a political activist and fashion designer. Her case exemplifies the repeated targeting of young activists through vague terrorism charges and the systematic misuse of pre-trial detention as punishment. She was first arrested on 31 December 2013 at the age of seventeen in connection with the "Girls of 7 AM" case, numbered 25790 of 2013. A trial court initially sentenced her to eleven years in prison, prompting widespread criticism. On appeal, the sentence was reduced to one year suspended, and she was released in December 2013. After her release, she gave a public video interview about her experience in detention.

The Second Arrest

On 25 March 2020, officers arrested Aya at her home. She was subjected to enforced disappearance for five days before being brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution on 1 April 2020 in Case 558 of 2020. She was charged with joining a banned terrorist group and spreading false news. She was released on 18 December 2020 under precautionary measures.

The Third Arrest and Prolonged Pre-Trial Detention

In the early hours of 3 July 2022, around one o'clock in the morning, security forces arrested Aya for the third time from her home without giving a reason. She was subjected to enforced disappearance for three days before reappearing in connection with Case 93 of 2022, which remains under the jurisdiction of the Supreme State Security Prosecution. She has been held in pre-trial detention since July 2022. Her detention has been repeatedly renewed without a final judgment.

On 22 February 2023, the Criminal Court sitting in consultation chamber at the Badr Courts Complex renewed her detention for an additional forty-five days. The session was conducted electronically. During the hearing, Aya reported harassment inside her cell. The Cairo Court of Appeal, First Terrorism Circuit, has adjourned her case to 3 February 2026 for review. She remains in detention pending resolution of the charges.

Detention Conditions and Abuse

Aya has been held at Al Qanater Prison. During a detention renewal session on 28 January 2023, she informed the court that a female prison guard had sexually harassed her. She stated that after she reported the incident in a previous session, prison administration retaliated by transferring her as a form of punishment. She has been placed in solitary confinement and subjected to restrictions that amount to denial of medical care, including treatment for asthma.

Health Concerns

Aya suffers from asthma. Her condition has been exacerbated by poor detention conditions and inadequate medical care. The denial of appropriate treatment places her health at significant risk.

Legal Proceedings

Aya Kamal El-Din has been held in pre-trial detention for more than two and a half years without trial. Her case has been adjourned repeatedly. The next scheduled review is set for 3 February 2026. The charges against her—joining a banned terrorist group, spreading false news, and misuse of social media—are drawn from vague statutes routinely used to criminalize peaceful political activism in Egypt.