Many former Egyptian political prisoners who have fled the country are discovering that exile does not equate to freedom or healing. Leaving Egypt to avoid re-arrest doesn’t resolve existing trauma, but instead adds new layers of loss and hardship. These individuals already experience a form of “frozen grief” over the lives stolen from them by imprisonment, a loss that cannot be fully processed. Exile compounds this grief with further displacement, separation from loved ones, and the challenges of rebuilding life in a foreign country. The article, published by Mada Masr, explores the complex psychological toll on Egyptians seeking refuge abroad. It suggests that escaping potential imprisonment doesn’t offer the anticipated relief, but rather presents a continuation of suffering in a different form. The experience highlights the enduring impact of political repression even after physical release.