Egypt’s High State Security Prosecution on Sunday ordered the detention of the Egyptian politician and former supporter of the current government, Hazem Abdelazim, for 15 days pending investigations into accusations including publishing false news and joining an outlawed group that aims to alter the constitution.
Abdelazim was taken from his home on Saturday night in Cairo but reports of his arrest were not officially confirmed until the prosecution announced his detention.
The list of accusations included publishing false news on Egypt’s political and economic situations on social media and his private accounts with the aim at disturbing societal peace and discrediting state institutions.
The prominent activist and former deputy telecommunications minister under toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was a senior campaigner for President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi in the 2014 presidential election. He then abandoned the campaign trail and became a government critic.
Last week, well-known Egyptian blogger and journalist Wael Abbas was arrested and detained for 15 days pending investigations into similar charges.
