Journalist and researcher Ismail Iskandarani saw his detention renewed for another 45 days on Saturday, local media reported.

Iskandarani has been detained since November 2015. He has not been on trial, but faces accusations of belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group and reporting false news on Sinai.

Arrested in Hurghada Airport upon arrival from Germany, Iskandarani was then transferred to Cairo’s State Prosecution authority.

Held in Tora prison, Iskandarani nearly obtained his freedom in November 2016 when he was granted a release, but the prosecution’s appeal was accepted, resulting in an extra 45-day detention.

Those periods were hardly completed before his detention was renewed. The last two renewals took place on 12 February and 1 January. His detention period remains legal under laws allowing pre-trial detention up to two years.