The Assiut Prosecution ordered on Sunday the detention of a 17 year-old student for 15 days pending investigation, a decision which could strip the student of his right to take part in an international science competition.

Abdallah Assem was arrested alongside a friend from the vicinity of Tahrir Square on Friday. Originally from the Upper Egyptian governorate of Assiut, Assem was reportedly in Cairo to finalise his travel papers. He was scheduled to travel to the United States next week, where he is to represent Egypt in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair on 11 May.

The Association for Freedom of Though and Expression (AFTE) reported that Assem and his friends were arrested for flashing the Rabaa sign. Waleed Awad, Assem’s friend, said they were arrested from a cafe near Tahrir Square. Awad claimed, in a testimony he posted on Facebook, that they were arrested by Homeland Security forces.

Awad was released shortly afterwards. Assem was referred back to Assiut, where he was accused of purposefully vandalising a car which belongs to a police officer, AFTE reported.

The Ministry of Interior’s press office said they had no information regarding Assem’s arrest.