Omar Marei’s detention renewed for 10th time amid health concerns
The Supreme State Security Prosecution on Monday renewed the detention of director and screenwriter Omar Salah Marei for an additional 15 days pending investigations into allegations of “spreading false news inside the country through social media posts,” according to a statement issued by Marei’s family.
The decision marks the 10th and final 15-day renewal available to the prosecution under the law, bringing Marei’s pretrial detention to four months. The case will subsequently go before the competent court’s review chamber, which will consider whether to renew his detention for 45-day periods, according to the family’s statement.
Marei’s family expressed grave concern over his health. During Monday’s hearing, his lawyer renewed a request for him to be examined by a psychiatrist and a vascular specialist because of persistent swelling, pain and limited movement in his hand after physical therapy was discontinued following surgery four months ago. The family held the prosecution and relevant authorities fully responsible for his safety and health.
The family said that keeping Marei in pretrial detention for this long without new investigations or tangible developments in the case effectively turns detention into “an actual punishment.” They stressed that the charges against him concern opinions and posts protected by Article 71 of the Constitution, which prohibits custodial sentences for publication and public expression offenses.
The family called for an end to Marei’s pretrial detention and his immediate release, expressing hope that the referral to the review chamber would provide an opportunity for a serious legal review that ends his prolonged detention and ensures he receives the medical care he needs.
Under Criminal Procedure Law No. 150 of 1950, which will remain in effect until the end of this month before being replaced by Criminal Procedure Law No. 174 of 2025, the prosecution may renew the detention of defendants in cases under its jurisdiction for 10 consecutive sessions, with 15 days between each session, for a maximum of 150 days. After that period, detention renewals are handled by the criminal court, with 45 days between sessions.
A plainclothes security force arrested Omar on May 11 and he appeared before the Supreme State Security Prosecution after being missing for about five days. The prosecution ordered his pretrial detention for 15 days pending investigations into allegations that he had “intentionally published false news inside the country” in connection with a number of his social media posts. His detention has been renewed ever since.