As part of its continuous monitoring of the legal developments related to key human rights cases in Egypt, the Committee for Justice (CFJ) has released its weekly bulletin summarizing updates on major cases. The bulletin, published via its political case agenda, was designed to facilitate access to information on the dates of hearings and the latest developments in human rights cases in a simplified format. The updates for the period from December 14 to 19, 2024, are as follows:
-
Case Name: New Cairo Cell – The Brotherhood’s High Administrative Committee
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Saeed El-Sherbiny, along with Judges Essam Abu El-Ala, Gharib Mohamed Metwally, Mahmoud Zeidan, and Mohamed Nabil, decided to adjourn the trial of 22 defendants accused in the largest terrorist cell in New Cairo—18 in custody and 4 fugitives. The case is registered under No. 21122/2022 Nasr City First Criminal Court, No. 1375/2022 New Cairo General Court, No. 908/2021 Supreme State Security Investigations, and No. 340/2022 Supreme State Security Crimes. Commonly referred to as the “New Cairo Terrorist Cell,” the trial was postponed to April 5, 2025, to hear witness testimonies.
-
Case Name: Attack on Three Pyramids Hotel
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The First Circuit of the Criminal Court, led by Judge Mohamed Saeed El-Sherbiny, adjourned the retrial of Mahmoud Abdel-Qader Ali Saad, charged with a terrorist attack on the “Three Pyramids Hotel,” to February 1, 2025, for case review. A prior ruling by Giza Criminal Court sentenced 6 defendants to death, 8 to life imprisonment, and 12 to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
-
Case Name: Cabinet Headquarters Events
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The First Circuit adjourned the retrial of 9 defendants accused of violence, arson, and riots near the Cabinet, Parliament, and Shura Council buildings, including the Scientific Complex, to February 3, 2025, for further arguments. This case is known publicly as the “Cabinet Events.”
-
Case Name: Al-Badrashein Violence
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The First Circuit reserved judgment in the retrial of Saber Mahmoud Gharib Mubarak, charged in the “Al-Badrashein Violence” case, for February 2, 2025. The defendant had initially received an in absentia conviction for membership in a terrorist organization. He was later apprehended and sought retrial before the same court.
-
Case Name: Joining a Terrorist Group in Omraneya
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The court reserved judgment in the case of Sohaib Alaa Abdel-Moneim, a 30-year-old graphic designer, charged with joining a terrorist group. The verdict is expected on February 2, 2025.
-
Case Name: Joining a Terrorist Group in Al-Badrashein
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The court reserved judgment in the retrial of Bassam Shehata Mohamed Mohamed El-Abbasi, charged with joining a terrorist group in Al-Badrashein. The verdict is scheduled for February 2, 2025.
-
Case Name: Al-Badrashein Protest Events
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The court postponed the retrial of Mahmoud Ahmed Abdel-Aty Saleh, charged in the “Al-Badrashein Protest Events,” to February 1, 2025, for arguments.
-
Case Name: Defense Stadium Events
Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The First Circuit sentenced Ali Shaaban Abu Al-Gheit, a minor, to three years in prison for involvement in the “Defense Stadium Events.” He was also ordered to pay court fees.
-
Case Name: Espionage with Turkey
Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The First Terrorism Circuit lifted the media ban on case No. 12430/2021 Fifth Settlement Criminal Court, known as the “Espionage with Turkey” case, involving 81 defendants. Media coverage was permitted only for the sentencing hearing, scheduled for April 7, 2025.
-
Case Name: Al-Mansoura Events
Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
Location: Courts Complex, Badr Prison Compound
Details:
The court adjourned the retrial of Ahmed Atef Abdel Aziz, defendant No. 69 in a case involving the killing of Police Officer Sherif El-Sebaey, to February 2, 2025.
-
Case Name: Cyber Brigade Cell
Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
Location: Wadi El-Natroun Courts Complex
Details:
The appellate court sentenced the leader of the Cyber Brigade Cell, linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Six cell members received 7-year sentences, a fine of 3 million EGP, and confiscation of all seized items.
