Egypt court orders release of female TikTok influencer; renews detention of another in human trafficking case

Egypt court orders release of female TikTok influencer; renews detention of another in human trafficking case

A Cairo criminal court has ordered the release of popular female TikTok influencer Haneen Hossam, who was arrested on human trafficking charges.

The court rejected an appeal filed by the prosecution a day earlier against Hossam's release.

However, the court renewed the detention of another female TikTok influencer, Mawada Eladhm, for 45 days in the same case after accepting the prosecution's appeal.

The two influencers have remained in detention pending investigations into human trafficking charges; however, they have been acquitted in another case related to their videos on the popular video-sharing platform.

Hossam and Eladhm, who were arrested last year, are facing charges of inciting women to commit "immoral acts“ that are against society's values.

A Cairo economic appeals court acquitted Hossam and Eladhm and others earlier this month of violating family values and principles.

The appeals court overturned a previous court order that handed the two influencers two-year prison terms and a fine of EGP 300,000.

Eladhm, who is in her early 20s, was arrested on 14 May after she fled her residence at an upscale New Cairo gated community, moving around between Cairo and the North Coast after an arrest warrant was issued against her.

Eladhm, who