The detention of Ahmed Douma began on January 12, 2012, following his participation in the Cabinet sit-in protests. He was 25 years old at the time and was released after approximately three months. However, he was re-arrested on December 3, 2013, amid a broader crackdown that followed the enactment of the protest law.

During his detention from December 2013 to January 2020, Douma endured harsh prison conditions, including prolonged solitary confinement totaling four years and eight months. He was also subjected to ill-treatment, including denial of adequate medical care, which led to significant physical and psychological health issues.

In February 2015, Douma was sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with protest-related charges, in a trial widely criticized for lacking fair trial standards. The verdict was upheld by Egypt’s Court of Cassation in July 2020. In August 2023, he was granted a presidential pardon and released after nearly 10 years in prison.

Since his release, Douma has faced repeated summons and investigations between 2024 and 2025 related to his writings and online activity, often accompanied by substantial bail payments and various forms of harassment. On April 6, 2026, the Supreme State Security Prosecution ordered his detention for four days pending investigation in Case No. 2449 of 2026, on charges of spreading false news domestically and internationally, allegedly harming public security and state authority.