Egyptian prosecution appeals decision to release 4 defendants in ‘Fairmont rape’ case

CAIRO – 30 March 2021: The Egyptian Public Prosecution on Tuesday appealed on a court decision to release four defendants in the gang rape case known as “Fairmont Case.”

The prosecution’s appeal comes after the Cairo Criminal Court decided to release the son of former footballer Helmy Tolan, Ahmed, and others on a bail worth LE 100,000.

The case dates back to 2014, where a girl, whose identity is protected, says she was gang raped in Fairmont hotel.

The perpetrators allegedly filmed the incident and signed their names on the victim’s body.

The case stirred much controversy on social media, until the girl came forward to the National Council for Women, which then filed a case on her behalf.

Many defendants in the case have been arrested and others have been even deported from Lebanon to face the accusations.

Three defendants in the case; Ahmed Ganzoury, Nazly Mostafa and Seif el-Deen were released in January pending investigation.

Prosecution in February said it received screenshots of the video filmed during the gang rape of a girl in Cairo's Fairmont hotel in 2014, affirming that this would help the justice be served.

In a statement, the prosecution called on everyone who has the Fairmont gang rape video to hand it directly to the prosecution or send it via email at: Official.fairmont.case@ppo.gov.eg.

The prosecution affirmed that this email address is highly protected.

"The Prosecution urges everyone to activate their positive social role through providing this video to the Public Prosecution," the statement read.

The prosecution said a social media user had created an account with an unreal name, sent the screenshots to a number of witnesses, then deactivated the account in fear of being harmed.

The witnesses provided the screenshots to the prosecution, the statement read.

"This behavior has indicated some people's nescience of their rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution and law in terms of ensuring the anonymity of the witnesses'  data and protecting them," the statement read.

The prosecution added that this lack of awareness made the witnesses in the case feel reluctant to give testimonies or provide the evidence they possess to help uncover the truth.

"The Public Prosecution confirms ensuring the confidentiality of the data of the witnesses and evidence providers and protecting them, in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law," the statement added.