Aiesha Salem, a government employee at the Ministry of Justice, said security forces raided her south Cairo home on Thursday and stole EGP 150,000 worth of money and belongings.

“When I went to the police station, the police officer told me to shut up or they will take my son,” Salem said.

Salem and her husband, also a government employee, were at work when security officials entered her home. Her 18-year-old son was attending a lecture.

According to Salem, a resident in their Izbet Borg Khalil neighbourhood and a university student, was also arrested “from his bed”.

In the Amirya police station, officers claimed Ammar was arrested with explosives.

Egypt’s security forces are notoriously known for their home raids, especially “dawn visits”.

Hundreds of detainees, many of which are students, have been arrested from their homes.