The Giza Criminal Court decided on Monday to postpone the trial of the defendant, a 55-year-old kiosk owner from Faisal, to October 3 for a decision. The defendant is accused of killing a foreign national with premeditation and intent, stealing from him, and concealing his body. The case was referred to the competent criminal court in the Cairo Court of Appeals.
According to the prosecution's referral, the defendant planned and intended to kill the victim in July 2021 in the Second Sheikh Zayed district, knowing that the victim was wealthy. The defendant lured the victim to his farm in the European Riviera, pretending to start a fake project, and then attacked him from behind with a "shovel" three times, hitting his head and killing him. The defendant then stole the victim's movable property from a place prepared for his residence at night.
Investigations revealed that the defendant attempted to erase evidence of the crime and conceal the body by pouring an accelerant on the corpse and setting it on fire for three days until the skin and flesh were burned. He then separated the head from the body, placed it inside a car tire, and set it on fire again until the bones were charred and the features were erased. The defendant continued to burn the fire repeatedly to eliminate any evidence of the crime.
Evidence in the case included the defendant's mobile phone number, which he used to contact the victim's family after his disappearance, claiming to be undergoing surgery. The victim's daughter testified that her father's news had been cut off since he traveled to Egypt three years ago, until their embassy informed them of his death. The Public Prosecution's observations confirmed that the forensic laboratory report found burned skeletal remains in the backyard, while the forensic medical report stated that the discovered bones formed parts of a skeleton consistent with the forensic imaging of the crime.
The defendant confessed to the crime in detail during interrogation and conducted a simulation of the crime scene, leading to the discovery of the victim's remains and the tools used in the crime, including a shovel and an iron rod. The case involves charges of premeditated murder, theft, and concealment of the body.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 3 to issue a decision in the case. The defendant's actions have been described as heinous, and if convicted, he could face severe penalties under Egyptian law. The case has garnered significant attention due to its brutal nature and the defendant's attempts to cover up the crime.
The Egyptian judiciary is expected to handle the case with the utmost seriousness, given the severity of the charges and the evidence presented. The victim's family is seeking justice, and the court will review the evidence and testimony to determine the defendant's guilt or innocence.
Key points
- The Giza Criminal Court postponed the trial of a 55-year-old kiosk owner accused of killing a foreign national and burning his body.
- The defendant is accused of premeditated murder, theft, and concealment of the body.
- The court scheduled the next hearing for October 3 to issue a decision in the case.
