Egyptian anti-regime celebrities Amr Waked, Khaled Abol-Naga expelled from actors' union over alleged 'high treason'

CAIRO – A Cairo administrative court rejected on Wednesday a lawsuit filed by Egyptian actors Amr Waked and Khaled Abol-Naga contesting the decision of the actors’ syndicate to expel them over allegedly committing "high treason".

The two actors have not been officially charged with treason but were slammed by supporters of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi after they held a meeting with members of the US Congress that criticised the Egyptian regime.

Waked and Abol-Naga, currently in self-exile outside the country, are known to be outspoken critics of the Egyptian government and the terrible human rights situation in Egypt.

Neither Waked nor Abol-Naga could be reached for comment.

Waked and Abol-Naga were among the most vocal celebrities behind the 25 January revolution in 2011, which overthrew the regime of Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian film "Microphone", starring and co-produced by Abol-Naga - shot mostly in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria in 2010 - is believed to have indirectly anticipated a revolution to come. It was commercially released at Egyptian cinemas shortly after the uprising broke out.

Both actors have played key roles in international TV shows and films in recent years.

Social media activists were quick to voice support for the two artists following the court decision.