Egyptian cartoonist Ashraf Omar, 38, was arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses for creating satirical drawings about the government’s controversial policies.
Omar’s arrest sparked public outcry, with the hashtag “Free Ashraf Omar” trending across Egyptian and Arab social media.
His wife, Nada Mougheeth, shared that Omar’s cartoons, which criticised the country’s economic crisis and foreign debts, have now gone viral, although they initially had limited viewership.
Omar was arrested in July 2024 and accused of “disseminating false news” and “misusing social media,” among other charges. His detention has been extended multiple times without clear evidence, leaving his family in distress.
Mougheeth expressed frustration over the lack of a legal path to defend her husband, who she says was jailed for simply expressing the truth through his art.
“My husband was jailed for stating the obvious […] for drawing cartoons and expressing what everybody has already been talking about […] the country’s economic crisis […] foreign debts, etc.,” she said.
Omar, a talented chemist and self-taught cartoonist, has a long history of drawing. After shifting from his career in pharmacy, he became a freelance translator and pursued his passion for art, music, and cartooning.
His wife recently discovered more of his early work, which dates back to his childhood, and noted his deep passion for drawing.
“I found out that he started drawing cartoons during his childhood. He even received a certificate from his school that recognises his artistic talent and achievements when he was 13,” she disclosed.
Since his detention, Mougheeth has been actively advocating for his release and is calling on the international community for support.
She expressed pride in Omar’s courage and creativity, stating that although he may be imprisoned, his work and ideas cannot be silenced.
“I am proud of my husband, who creatively expressed what everybody else in Egypt wanted to say. Ashraf could be held behind bars, but his works can never be caged,” she said.
