Prosecutors expand charges against Egyptian man, accusing him of serving foreign power

Suspicions against an Egyptian man arrested earlier this month in the Netherlands on assault charges have been expanded, prosecutors said. The Public Prosecution Service said the 34-year-old is now also suspected of “providing services for a foreign power.”

The arrest prompted protests outside the Dutch Embassy in Cairo, forcing its temporary closure. Prosecutors now allege the man took part in intimidation and threats at various meetings and demonstrations in 2025 and 2026, including at the Egyptian Embassy.

He is believed to have acted on behalf of a foreign power, which is presumed to be Egypt. A spokesman, however, declined to specify the country involved, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.

The suspect is identified as Ahmed N., a leader of the Union of Egyptian Youth Abroad, an organization widely viewed as a mouthpiece for the Egyptian government. He was arrested on October 11, on suspicion of assault. Media reports linked the arrest to the intimidation and threatening of activist Anas Habib, an opponent of the Egyptian regime.

Habib, who is also Egyptian and lives in the Netherlands, drew attention last year when he padlocked the Egyptian Embassy in The Hague and filmed the act. He said the protest targeted Egypt’s closure of the Gaza border crossing, which has prevented Palestinians from fleeing. Habib has spoken out against Egyptian President Abdel al-Sisi on platforms including YouTube.

N. is scheduled to appear before an investigating judge Friday on the new allegations. On Monday, a court ordered that he remain in custody an additional 30 days on the assault charge.