Israeli Court Convicts Journalist Saeed Hassanein on Espionage and Terrorism Support Charges

The Central Court in Haifa has convicted journalist Saeed Hassanein on all charges brought against him, including "communicating with a foreign agent" and "supporting a terrorist organization." The conviction stems from a media interview he conducted with Al-Aqsa TV in February 2025. Hassanein, a resident of Shfaram, was arrested on February 25, 2025, following a raid on his home where electronic devices and computers were confiscated. On March 13, 2025, the prosecution filed an indictment accusing him of communicating with a foreign agent and showing solidarity with an organization designated as terrorist by Israel, based on media interviews, including the one with Al-Aqsa TV.

In May 2025, the court ordered Hassanein's transfer to house arrest after nearly three months of detention, imposing restrictions that included barring him from Shfaram and relocating him to the town of Kafr Manda. Some of these restrictions were later eased as judicial proceedings continued. During the trial sessions, Hassanein's defense lawyer, Namir Idlibi, rejected the charges, describing the "communicating with a foreign agent" charge as serious and unprecedented for a journalistic interview. He argued that the content of the interview constituted journalistic analysis, not support for a terrorist organization, and called for Hassanein's acquittal.

The case has generated solidarity among journalists and activists who have warned of its implications for the freedom of journalistic work and expression among Arab journalists. They view the case as extending beyond Hassanein's personal situation and impacting the reality of Arab journalism.