He was arrested on 18 November 2020 near Sahel Al-Shamali on Egypt’s northern coast, while on vacation with his wife and children. His and his family members’ laptop and mobile phones were seized, and he was then taken to an unknown destination. He hasn’t yet to appear before an investigating authority.

On 15 February 2021, the journalist appeared before the State Security Prosecution and was interrogated in connection with Case No. 26 of 2021 State Security on charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news. The Prosecution then decided to hold him in pretrial detention pending the case.