Urgent action: Egyptian trade unionist jailed for Palestine solidarity on hunger strike
menasolidaritynetwork / February 10, 2025
Egyptian Trade unionist Shady Mohamed is on hunger strike, his wife has told other activists, protesting against terrible conditions in Burg al-Arab prison where he has been held since last year on charges related to displaying a Palestine solidarity banner. Shady was among 6 people arrested for this simple act of protest and solidarity and has been charged with “joining a terrorist organisation” and “spreading fake news”. He is imprisoned in conditions which are so overcrowded that it is impossible to sleep, even on the floor of the cell. Shady is a well-known trade unionist and a textile worker who helped to find an independent union at his workplace.
- Take action now to show your solidarity by signing the statement below which has been written by Egyptian activists and will be published online.
- Write to the Egyptian embassy in your country calling for the immediate release of Shady and other political prisoners in Egypt
Shady Mohamed’s Life Is in Danger
>>Sign the statement here
Full support for union organizer Shady Mohamed, who is on hunger strike in Borg El Arab 2 Prison.
The undersigned express their deep concern for the life of Shady Mohamed Ali, who has been on hunger strike since the 29th of January in protest against his transfer to Borg El Arab 2 Prison.
On January 29, Shady was subjected to mistreatment and punitive measures when he was forcibly transferred from the 10th of Ramadan 6 Prison to Borg El Arab 2 without investigation or justification. As an additional form of abuse, the prison investigation officer prevented him from returning to his cell to collect his personal belongings. Upon arrival at Borg El Arab, Shady was placed in the intake ward, which is severely overcrowded and lacks humane conditions.
Shady was arrested ten months ago for displaying a banner in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. He was taken to the 10th of Ramadan 6 Prison and charged with the usual accusations of affiliation with and leadership of a terrorist organization under Case No. 1644/2024.
The undersigned call for Shady’s immediate transfer to a humane detention facility so he can end his hunger strike and receive the necessary medical care, especially given his chronic health conditions. This demand remains urgent until he and others detained for expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, opposing forced displacement, and supporting the right of return are released—demands that, notably, are echoed by senior officials.
Shady is a founding member of the Permanent Conference of Alexandria Workers and the Popular Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People. He also played a role in establishing the independent union at Lenin Group and is a member of the Popular Socialist Alliance Party.
He was previously arrested in 2023 for advocating workers’ rights and was dismissed from his job following a labour strike.
