Egyptian authorities have arrested at least 29 people—including 19 women and one child—for posting online content that allegedly goes against public values, Human Rights Watch said.
The arrests, mostly from late July to August, targeted creators like belly dancers and tattoo artists who shared videos on TikTok.
Charges include “violating public morals” and “money laundering.” One researcher from the rights group said this shows a push to “criminalize all forms of expression that do not conform with [the government’s] political or social views.”
Those detained face up to three years in jail under Egypt’s 2018 Cybercrime Law.
Human Rights Watch is calling for the release of those arrested and an end to what it describes as abusive prosecutions.
