After serving an unjust three-year prison sentence, Egyptian protester Mahmoud Hussein was released on 27 August 2024. He had been imprisoned simply for wearing a T-shirt that read “A Nation without Torture.” His case drew international attention and support from Amnesty International members worldwide.
Background to Mahmoud Hussein’s unlawful imprisonment
Mahmoud Hussein was first arrested on 25 January 2014 after taking part in peaceful protests marking the third anniversary of Egypt’s 2011 uprising. He wore a T-shirt with the slogan “A Nation without Torture” and a scarf symbolizing the revolution. Authorities accused him of inciting protests and detained him without trial for two years. He was released on bail in 2016 after sustained public pressure.
In 2018, while out on bail, a court convicted him in his absence and sentenced him to life in prison. He was arrested again on 30 August 2023 and held in pretrial detention. Although a judge ordered his release on bail in April 2024, he remained in detention until late May. Then, in June 2024, a special court sentenced him to three years in prison after an unfair trial. Since he had already spent more than two years in detention, he was released in August after completing his sentence.
The toll of unjust detention
Mahmoud’s time in prison had a serious impact on his physical and mental health. After his first arrest in 2014, Amnesty International documented that he was tortured — including being beaten and subjected to electric shocks.
His case became a symbol of Egypt’s crackdown on peaceful dissent. Supporters around the world sent messages of solidarity and appeals to Egyptian authorities. After his release, Mahmoud shared this message:
“The prison experience is extremely harsh; prison is a place where dreams are killed. The dream of a country without torture should not be a crime. Thank you for your support.”
Amnesty International continues to call for the release of all those detained simply for expressing their views in Egypt.
No further action is needed. Thank you to everyone who took action and sent appeals.
