CAIRO (AP) — A former Egyptian doctor who went public on social media with accounts of obstetric violence and mistreatment of women at an Alexandria university hospital has been arrested and released on bail.
Authorities descended on the home of Omnia Swaydan in Damanhour, Beheira province, at approximately 6 p.m. local time Tuesday evening. According to lawyer Asmaa Naeim, who is following the case, Swaydan was home alone when officers arrived, ordered her to power down her phone, and then took her into custody.
Swaydan was brought to the prosecutor’s office in Alexandria on Wednesday afternoon for questioning, Naeim confirmed to The Associated Press.
Lawyer Mohamed Ramadan, who was present during her interrogation, said she faced charges of spreading false information and improperly using social media platforms. Later Wednesday afternoon, Ramadan announced on Facebook that Swaydan had been freed after posting bail of 20,000 Egyptian pounds, equivalent to approximately $401.
Ramadan did not immediately respond when contacted for additional comment. Naeim cautioned that the legal proceedings are not over — Swaydan could be summoned for further questioning at any time and may yet face formal charges that could result in a trial and possible imprisonment.
The arrest followed a post Swaydan published on Monday describing disturbing incidents she witnessed while training as a medical resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at al-Shatabi Hospital, a university-affiliated facility in Alexandria. Her account detailed cases involving sexual assault, physical violence, verbal abuse, and deliberate medical negligence by hospital staff.
On Tuesday, prior to her arrest, Swaydan updated her post to clarify that she had shared her experiences in hopes of prompting a serious examination of working conditions and medical practices in the ward, while also calling for stronger protections for women, patients, and junior medical staff.
The Doctors’ Syndicate responded to Swaydan’s post on Tuesday, stating it had received no formal complaints about the incidents she described and encouraging anyone with grievances to file official reports with the syndicate, relevant oversight bodies, the hospital administration, Alexandria University, or the public prosecutor. The following day, the syndicate’s Alexandria branch announced it was closely watching how the situation at al-Shatabi Hospital unfolds.
Alexandria University also issued a statement indicating it has launched a review and investigation into the misconduct allegations at the affiliated hospital.
Egyptian human rights organizations, including the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, spoke out against Swaydan’s detention. Lobna Darwish, who leads the group’s women’s rights and gender program, told The Associated Press that the problems Swaydan described are not limited to al-Shatabi Hospital. She said obstetric violence has long been widespread at facilities offering free or reduced-cost care, and even at some private hospitals.
