Toddler’s rapist sentenced to death

CAIRO – 2 May 2017: A man charged with raping a 20-month-old toddler, was sentenced to death Wednesday, Mansoura Criminal Court stated.

The court’s presiding judge, Mukhtar al-Kholy, referred the case to Grand Mufti Shawki Allam for review. The ruling is not final and challengeable and the mufti’s opinion, while often respected, is not binding.

The 35-year-old rapist, identified as Ibrahim, confessed his crime to the prosecution, saying he kidnapped the toddler, took her to a deserted area and raped her. After seeing blood, he said he panicked and ran away.

After being pressured to speak up, Ibrahim finally admitted to raping the child; the news infuriated local villagers and made them eager to punish him themselves. Ibrahim escaped from them and later faced prosecution in court.

The toddler was immediately transferred to Belqas Hospital, located in the north-western corner of Dakahlia Governorate, in an attempt to rescue her. Pre-surgical examination of the child indicated severe vaginal bleeding and contractions. Thanks to the doctors’ efforts, the child survived.