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12:47, 28-May-2018
Sisi ally turned critic detained for joining illegal organization, disseminating false news
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Egyptian prosecutors ordered on Sunday Hazim Abdelazim, a supporter-turned-critic of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, be detained for 15 days pending investigation over joining an illegal organization and publishing false news.
His detention is the latest in a string of arrests that the government says are aimed at those subverting the law.
Who is Hazim Abdelazim?
Abdelazim was a deputy telecoms minister under ousted President Hosni Mubarak, before getting involved with Sisi's 2014 election campaign, during which he chaired the youth committee.
After switching sides, Abdelazim became a vocal critic of Sisi on his Twitter account.
The 57-year-old man has expressed opposition to Egypt joining a Saudi-led group of countries boycotting Qatar over Doha's alleged ties with terrorism; and during the presidential elections in March, he threw his weight behind former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, who was considered a serious contender against Sisi before pulling out of the race.
Why is Abdelazim in custody now?
Abdelazim was arrested at his home in Cairo late on Saturday night.
Egypt's Supreme State Prosecution on Sunday charged him with joining an illegal organization established to subvert the law and constitution in the country, without naming the group.
He was also accused of spreading false news and statements about Egypt’s political and economic situation through different media platforms and on his personal accounts on social media.
The arrest came after an Egyptian lawyer filed a complaint against Abdelazim for "instigating citizens to protest" against hikes to metro fares.
(With input from Reuters)