Egypt renews detention of journalist Manal Ajrama

Egypt has renewed the detention of prominent Egyptian journalist Manal Ajrama, who was arrested for criticising the state on social media, according to reports.

The Egyptian prosecution on Monday renewed Ajrama’s detention for a period of 15 days, pending investigations, as she faces charges including using "social media to promote a terrorist act", according to the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE).

Organisations including the International Federation of Journalists have condemned the accusations, Ajrama’s 1 November arrest, and the "campaign of mass arrests launched by the Egyptian authorities to silence journalists" ahead of the UN's COP27 climate summit, which began on 6 November.

At least 15 journalists registered with the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate are currently detained, The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

Ajrama, a journalist, journalist syndicate member, and deputy editor of the state-run Radio and Television Magazine, was transferred to Al-Qanater prison after her arrest, where several female journalists are held, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

The 61-year-old has been suffering from medical issues during her imprisonment, including problems with her spine, the AFTE said.

Since taking power after a military coup in 2013, Sisi has ruled the country with an iron fist.

His regime has overseen "the worst crackdown on human rights, freedom of expression, and media in Egypt's modern history", according to local and international rights groups.