Egypt's security state continues to haunt former detainees

ElGendy's memoir, "Huna," details the psychological toll of prison life, characterized by the constant apprehension of violence. He recalls his first night in prison, questioning if he and his father would be tortured. The sounds of guards and keys jangling served as constant reminders of potential danger, leading to a state of hypervigilance.

Upon release, this hypervigilance persisted. ElGendy recounts mistaking a parked van for state security, illustrating the deep-seated anxiety caused by the "Arms," the clandestine security apparatus. This experience is likened to that of Rizwaan Sabir, who faced similar paranoia after being interrogated by UK police as a terrorism suspect.

The author reflects on living in Egypt during the Hosni Mubarak era, recalling advice to avoid political discussions to stay out of trouble with the State Security (Amn al-Dawla). This self-censorship, termed "mind-forg'd manacles" by William Blake, serves the security state's aim of suppressing critique.

The narrative highlights the multifaceted nature of oppression in Egypt, where speaking out is dangerous for those outside prison, those detained, and even those imprisoned. The author suggests that the system oppresses all, regardless of whether they are political or criminal prisoners, and that accepting confinement as the norm is a way the state "wins."