A court in New Cairo has ordered the closure of independent news website Mada Masr and the confiscation of its equipment, fining editor-in-chief Lina Attalah 3 million Egyptian pounds for operating the site without a licence. The ruling was issued on 27 October 2026. Attalah was detained at court and released after paying the fine.
Mada Masr reported the ruling and Attalah’s detention in a statement published on the day of the hearing. According to Al Manassa’s report published on 28 October, the court made her release conditional on payment of the fine. She spent seven hours in custody before being freed after the full amount was paid.
Her release does not overturn the verdict or the closure order. According to Al Manassa, the defence announced plans to appeal the ruling.
There is no confirmation yet that the order to close Mada Masr and confiscate its equipment has been carried out.
