Egypt’s State Security Prosecution has summoned writer and political sociology researcher Ammar Ali Hassan for questioning on Monday in case No. 10204/2025, Hassan said on Saturday, adding he has not been told what the case concerns.
Hassan, who sits on the board of trustees of the Civil Democratic Movement, said the notice he received did not specify whether he would be questioned as a witness or a defendant. The summons comes as the movement accuses authorities of narrowing political space and calls for allowing lawful public engagement and alternative policy proposals.
In a Facebook post, Hassan said the summons was labeled a “legal notice” but provided no details on the subject of the investigation or the grounds for questioning.
He said he consulted lawyers Nasser Amin, Khaled Ali and Ibrahim El-Ezzab, adding that they weighed what they expected against their understanding of how such cases typically proceed.
Hassan said he informed Journalists Syndicate head Khaled Elbalshy in his capacity as a syndicate member, and planned to inform Alaa Abdel Hadi, the head of the Writers’ Union, as a union member.
In a separate statement, the Civil Democratic Movement called on Egyptian authorities to halt what it described as a pattern of targeting national opposition forces, saying it was increasing political tensions in the country.
The movement urged authorities to “open the public sphere” and stop, in its words, stifling legitimate political avenues for public participation and for presenting alternative policies and ideas through lawful means.
Egypt’s Civil Democratic Movement is a coalition of liberal and leftist political parties and figures formed in 2017, aiming to promote a civil state, counter religious influence, and challenge the ruling regime.
Hassan is a journalist, political sociology researcher and novelist, and a regular contributor to Al Manassa, where he publishes a twice-monthly column. His latest article was published in Arabic on Saturday under the title “A parliament crowned with annulment.” He has published studies on political sociology, social movements and political thought in Egypt and the Arab world.
