He was arrested from a café at Dokki district, accompanied by his wife and others, on 26 November 2019, before they were all taken to Dokki Police Station. The following day, on 27 November 2019, he was interrogated by the Supreme State Security Prosecution pending Case No. 488 of 2019 State Security, on charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news and statements. The journalist has been held on detention.

On 21 July 2020, the Criminal Court ordered his release with precautionary measures. On 23 August 2020, the journalist was interrogated once more over Case No. 855 of 2020 State Security, on a charge of joining a terrorist group, and since then he has been held in pretrial detention.