By Associated Press - Monday, October 17, 2016

MCLEAN, Va. (AP) - Activists are calling for the release of an American citizen imprisoned in Egypt since 2014.

Twenty-nine-year-old Aya Hijazi grew up in Alexandria and graduated from George Mason University in 2009. She returned to her native Egypt and started a foundation dedicated to helping street children.

In 2014, she was arrested as part of what human rights groups have called a crackdown on civil society there. She has been charged with abusing and sexually exploiting children, but her supporters say no evidence has been produced. Her trial has been delayed numerous times.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is among those who have called on Egypt to release Hijazi.

On Monday, her supporters are marking the 900th day of her detention with a social media campaign, using the hashtag FreeAya.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide