Egyptian journalist Lina Attalah was released from custody on October 27, 2026, hours after a court fined her 3 million Egyptian pounds and ordered the closure of independent news site Mada Masr, her lawyer said.

Key Takeaways

  • The court fined Attalah for operating Mada Masr without a license.
  • Her lawyer said the fine was paid before her release.
  • A hearing on a separate 2024 sentence is scheduled for November 11.

Lina Attalah release follows court fine

Lawyer Hassan al-Azhari said Attalah was released after the 3 million-pound fine, equivalent to about $53,400, was paid. The penalty was the maximum available for the misdemeanor charge of operating the website without a license.

Mada Masr says authorities have not responded to its license application since 2023.

Defense appeals earlier sentence

Al-Azhari said the defense discovered during the process that Attalah had been sentenced in absentia in 2024 to one year in prison and a separate fine of 20,000 Egyptian pounds. Her team has appealed that sentence, and a new hearing is scheduled for November 11.

Rights groups and press freedom advocates condemned Attalah’s detention and the court’s decision. Hossam Bahgat, head of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, said he was present in court and described objections by Attalah and her defense team to the proceedings.

Next milestone

The next confirmed hearing in the appeal against the 2024 sentence is scheduled for November 11.

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