Key facts
- Former Egyptian doctor Omnia Swaydan was arrested and released on bail.
- Swaydan posted allegations of obstetric violence and medical malpractice at Alexandria's al-Shatabi Hospital.
- She was charged with spreading false news and misusing social media.
- Her bail was set at 20,000 Egyptian pounds ($401).
- Human rights groups condemned her arrest and noted the prevalence of obstetric violence in Egypt.
A former Egyptian doctor, Omnia Swaydan, was arrested from her home and subsequently released on bail after sharing detailed allegations of obstetric violence and mistreatment at Alexandria's al-Shatabi Hospital via social media. Swaydan, who had trained at the hospital, posted on Facebook about incidents involving sexual assault, verbal abuse, and intentional medical malpractice by doctors and nurses.
Authorities took Swaydan into custody on Tuesday evening, ordering her to turn off her phone. She appeared before prosecutors in Alexandria on Wednesday, facing charges of spreading false news and misusing social media. Her lawyer, Mohamed Ramadan, confirmed her release on bail of 20,000 Egyptian pounds ($401).
In response to Swaydan's post, the Doctors' Syndicate stated it had not received official complaints but urged those with claims to file formal reports. Alexandria University announced it is reviewing and investigating the misconduct allegations at its affiliated hospital.
Egyptian human rights groups, including the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, condemned Swaydan's arrest, with Lobna Darwish, head of the group's women's rights program, stating that obstetric violence is a common issue in Egypt and that the state often treats public concerns as security matters.
Swaydan's testimony resonated online, prompting other women to share similar experiences of abuse at al-Shatabi Hospital and other public facilities, including accounts of a sister's death after surgical error and a daughter's death due to post-surgery neglect.