Mahmoud Hussein

Mahmoud Hussein (born 12 December 1966) is an Egyptian former journalist who worked for Al Jazeera. He was held in an Egyptian prison for four years without being charged or going through trial until his release on 6 February 2021. His incarceration was in violation of Egyptian law and was condemned by international rights groups, media freedom organisations and the United Nations.

Early life Hussein was born on 12 December 1966 in the Giza Governorate village of Zawiyat Abo Musallam. While growing up, he would regularly listen to local farmers who debated amongst each other while his father was an avid radio listener on political affairs. Hussein credited those two influences as being preparations for his career as a journalist. Hussein achieved a master's degree in international law from Ain Shams University in 1989 and a second bachelor's degree in law in 1994. He was questioned for 14 hours without a lawyer present and then released. Hussein was arrested for a second time on 23 December 2016 but it was not announced by Egyptian authorities until two days later. Hussein was accused of "incitement against state institutions and broadcasting false news with the aim of spreading chaos"; the charges were denied by Hussein and the Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN). He was kept in solitary confinement for the first three months after his arrest, where he suffered a broken arm and was refused proper medical treatment.

The Egyptian penal code sets a maximum pre-trial detention period of 620 days for individuals who are investigated for a felony; Hussein reached 1,000 days of illegal detention in September 2019. His case has been detailed by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

On 6 February 2021, Hussein was released from prison. Mostefa Souag, the acting director-general of the AJMN, called the release "a moment of truth and an inspiring milestone towards press freedom."

Personal life Hussein is married. He has nine children.