Stand for freedom of belief, peaceful expression and a fair legal process. Support the Egyptian Christian researcher and YouTuber through thoughtful, informed advocacy.
Augustinos Samaan is an Egyptian Coptic Christian researcher and YouTuber reported to be serving a five-year prison sentence with hard labour for online religious expression. ADF International reports the sentence and its legal support for his challenge; USCIRF's April 2026 report also records his conviction for religious educational posts. [2, 6]
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), which identifies itself as part of his defence team, reports that his ordinary appeal was rejected on 23 February 2026. It raises concerns about lack of notice of the referral to trial and denial of copies of case documents. These are attributed defence concerns. [3]
Coptic Solidarity reports a Court of Cassation hearing for 15 November 2026, citing his lawyers and electronic court records. The underlying docket and complete judgments were not independently obtained for this campaign. [1]
What we are asking for
Support lawful remedies and release from imprisonment for peaceful religious expression; an effective and fair review of the case; humane treatment and access to counsel; and appropriate examination of the reported procedural failures. Ask each recipient for action within its own powers. The pending cassation challenge is for the competent court to determine.
Start with Egypt's Public Prosecutor, selected below. Ask the office to examine reported irregularities and protect Samaan's rights through steps within its lawful authority.
Choose one recipient whose role fits your request. Add why the case matters to you, edit the subject and message, and replace [Your Name] before any later sending. Keep allegations attributed, check for new developments, and avoid duplicate or bulk messages. The UN drafts seek procedural guidance; substantive submissions need coordination and evidence.
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YOUR SELECTED RECIPIENT
Office of the Public Prosecutor · m.office@ppo.gov.eg
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Understand the legal stage
The reported sequence is a conviction, rejection of the ordinary appeal, and a pending cassation challenge. The August report says the challenge centres on serious procedural concerns. It does not establish that a retrial has been ordered or that a decision or release will occur on the reported hearing date. [1, 2, 3]
The prosecutor draft requests examination of allegations, safeguards and lawful remedial action. It recognises the court's role in deciding the challenge. The diplomatic draft requests engagement and monitoring; civil-society drafts request useful public guidance. UN inquiries do not claim to be completed complaints or to have Samaan's consent. OHCHR describes evidence and disclosure requirements and notes its experts cannot enforce their recommendations. [20]
This is an independent supporter campaign. No endorsement by Samaan, his family, counsel or any listed organisation is claimed. The campaign banner uses an AI-edited portrait based on a user-supplied photograph. No quotation from Samaan or invented biographical detail is included.
The countdown uses an assumed time of 10:00 AM Cairo on 15 November 2026 for display purposes only. This is not a confirmed court hearing time.
THE RECORD
Sourced case timeline
October 1, 2025
Arrest reported. EIPR, a member of the defence team, places the arrest at his home on this date.
Five-year prison sentence imposed, according to EIPR, for contempt of religion in connection with online statements and videos. Its account describes imprisonment with labour.
Ordinary appeal rejected and the five-year sentence upheld, according to EIPR. Its statement also records the defence objections concerning trial notice and access to documents.
Further appeal filed, according to ADF International's 27 April statement. ADF says it is providing legal support. The later August report identifies the pending stage as cassation.
Coptic Solidarity announces the reported November hearing, citing Samaan's lawyers and electronic court records. It gives Cassation No. 12839/96 Judicial Year. This campaign has not obtained the underlying docket.
Reported upcoming hearing to consider the cassation challenge. No exact time, outcome or order for a retrial has been verified. Recheck with a reliable current source before outreach or publication.
