Egyptian businessmen Sayed Sowerky, Safwan Thabet held on terrorism charges

CAIRO – 5 December 2020: Egyptian authorities have held Sayed Sowerky, owner of the giant retail chain El-Tawheed wel Nour, with branches all over Egypt, and Safwan Thabet, CEO of the Juhayna Food Industries company, over joining and financing terrorism.

Authorities have not named the outlawed group/s the famous businessmen are accused of supporting.

Investigative authorities separately ordered detaining Sowerky and Thabet for 15 days pending investigation.

Sowerky is accused of inciting violence, joining an outlawed group, financing a terrorist organization and other charges.

Charges Thabet is facing similar charges, including joining an outlawed group, calling for unauthorized protests, inciting violence and financing a terrorist group.

In case the two businessmen are convicted of financing terrorism, they will be added to terrorism lists and their assets will be seized.