The crackdown on freedom of expression under putschist General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reached alarming new levels unparalleled in Egypt's recent history, Amnesty International said on Thursday as it launched a campaign calling for the unconditional and immediate release of all those who have been detained solely for peacefully expressing their views.

"It is currently more dangerous to criticize the government in Egypt than at any time in the country's recent history. Egyptians living under al-Sisi are treated as criminals simply for peacefully expressing their opinions," said Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International's North Africa Campaigns Director.

"The security services have been ruthless in clamping down on any remaining political, social or even cultural independent spaces. These measures, more extreme than anything seen in former President Hosni Mubarak's repressive 30-year rule, have turned Egypt into an open-air prison for critics."

Since December 2017, Amnesty International has documented cases of at least 111 individuals who have been detained by the National Security Services solely for criticizing the putschist so-called president and the human rights situation in Egypt.

Hundreds of Egyptian political activists, journalists, human rights defenders, members of the opposition, artists and football fans are currently in jail for daring to speak up. The reasons for their arrests range from social media activity to having a history of activism. At least 35 individuals have been detained on charges of "unauthorized protest" and "joining a terrorist group" because they stood together in solidarity in a small peaceful protest against increased metro fares.

Comics and satirists are among those who have been targeted, including at least two individuals who posted satirical commentary online and were arrested by the police under the pretext of "violating public decency" or other vaguely defined offenses.

The Egyptian authorities have recently passed new legislation that enables mass censorship of independent news platforms and pages belonging to human rights groups. Since April 2017, security agencies have blocked at least 504 websites without judicial authorization or oversight. The laws were adopted by the country's parliament without any consultation with civil society or journalists, mainly under the pretext of "anti-terrorism" measures.

"Al-Sisi's administration is punishing the peaceful opposition and political activists with spurious counter-terrorism legislation and other vague laws that define any dissent as a criminal act," said Najia Bounaim.

"The newly adopted media and cybercrime laws are further enforcing the Egyptian authorities' near-total control over print, online and broadcast media." (ILKHA)