Freedom for Workers’ Defenders… Freedom for Hossam Al-Naggar

Statement by the Revolutionary Socialists

Under the counter-revolutionary and repressive military dictatorship, no one is truly safe—not politicians, not revolutionaries, not workers, people experiencing poverty, or ordinary people struggling to make ends meet. The regime’s oppressive reach extends to anyone who dares to speak out against its policies. This regime stands firmly with a wealthy minority of people in business and elites at the expense of workers, the poor, and the underprivileged. Every day, prices for essential goods and services continually climb higher for the poor, while dozens—sometimes hundreds—of opposition voices are arrested or labeled as terrorists.

Early in the morning on January 20, we were shocked to learn of the arrest of our colleague Hossam Al-Naggar, head of the Alexandria branch of the opposition Strong Egypt Party. Security forces raided his father’s house, forcing him to reveal Hossam’s address, and then dragged Hossam from his own home in Alexandria. He forcibly disappeared for a full day, only to turn up at the Montazah First District Prosecutor’s Office, where he was slapped with the usual fabricated charges thrown at all opponents—joining a banned organization, inciting protests, and promoting violence. He was given a 15-day pre-trial detention order under case number 1280 of 2017, along with 14 others who were also detained. 114 people are reportedly wanted in connection with this case, though only 15 are currently in custody.

For those who may not know, Hossam Al-Naggar is a dedicated advocate for workers’ rights and the head of the Strong Egypt Party’s Alexandria branch. He was a founding member of the solidarity campaign for the Alexandria Shipyard workers facing military trials, and he has always stood by workers in their fight for justice. He’s also deeply committed to national liberation causes, demonstrated by his active role in the BDS campaign to boycott and sanction the Israeli occupation.

We, the Revolutionary Socialists, declare our full solidarity with our colleague Hossam Al-Naggar. We condemn his arrest and demand his immediate and unconditional release, along with the release of all those unjustly held in the prisons of this counter-revolutionary regime.