Egypt refers Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah to trial

Egyptian authorities have referred Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of the independent media outlet Mada Masr, to trial. The Supreme State Security Prosecution is pursuing charges related to operating a website without a license and publishing false news intended to disturb public peace.

The legal proceedings follow an interrogation on October 21, 2026, during which prosecutors questioned Attalah regarding Mada Masr’s reporting on prison protests. Attalah was released on a bail of 100,000 Egyptian pounds, but was subsequently referred for trial. If convicted, she faces a fine of up to 3 million Egyptian pounds, and the outlet could face closure and equipment confiscation.

The licensing dispute stems from Egypt’s 2018 Press and Media Regulation Law, which requires websites to obtain licenses from the Supreme Council for Media Regulation. Mada Masr reports that it submitted license applications in 2018, 2020, and 2023, but has received no official response from regulators. This marks the sixth case brought against the outlet or its journalists in the last six years.