A Cairo criminal court renewed on Saturday the detention of Egyptan journalist and researcher Ismail Alexandrani for 45 days pending investigation into allegations of being a member of a terrorist group and spreading false news. In November 2016, the court ordered the release of Alexandrani. Two days later, however, the court accepted an appeal by Egypt's High State Security Prosecution against his release. The 32-year-old Alexandrani, a freelance investigative journalist who specialises in Sinai affairs, has been in custody without trial since his arrest in December 2015 at Hurghada Airport upon arrival from Germany. According to his family, Alexandrani was giving lectures in Europe about the political situation in Egypt prior to his return in December. Several Egyptian and international rights groups have condemned Alexandrani's arrest and detention.
