Prosecution identifies perpetrators of Alexandria explosion

CAIRO – 25 March 2018: Alexandria prosecution identified Sunday the perpetrators of the assassination attempt on the security director of Alexandria that took place in the Mediterranean city on Saturday, which killed two of his guards and injured four others.

The Interior Ministry announced that forces are tracking the perpetrators and will declare a statement of the investigations’ full results as soon as possible.

Sidi Gaber prosecution in cooperation with the Cairo Supreme National Security Prosecution investigated cameras of the surrounding buildings of the incident and listened to the testimonies of 200 eyewitnesses, which helped in unfolding the mystery of the explosion.

A bomb planted under a car exploded in central Alexandria on Saturday, killing two policemen, Ali Galal, 45, and Abdullah Mohamed, 19, and injuring four others, one of which is a civilian.

The State TV affirmed that the improvised explosive device (IED) targeted Alexandria’s security chief, Mostafa al-Nemr.

IED, which detonated in Al Moaaskar Al Romani St. in Sidi Gaber neighborhood, terrorized citizens in the area and smashed and shattered the windows of some buildings and damaged some vehicles nearby, according to eyewitnesses.

Checking the surveillance cameras of the hotel and then bank at the incident site, the prosecution found that the bomb didn’t explode when the general’s car passed, it did when the guards’ car, which usually follows the police chief for security, passed, causing wide damage to the car, guards and to the surrounding cars and buildings. Cameras also showed the general hurrying up to treat the injured soldiers medically right after the explosion and calling for help.

Earlier on Sunday, chiefs of Alexandria police and armed forces, representatives of Al Azhar and the Coptic Cathedral and Alexandria governor Mohamed Sultan shared with families and friends of the martyrs a military funeral at Al-Kaed Ibrahim Mosque to honor their patriotism.

The ministry of Social Solidarity affirmed that it will support the injured people medically, financially and morally, as it sent a delegate to the military hospital of Moustafa Pasha, where the wounded receive treatment, to offer help. The ministry will also compensate the civilians for the damage caused by the explosion.

The explosion was caused by an explosive device that was made of eight kilograms of high explosive material that were planted under a car parked in front of a hotel.

Governor Mohamed Sultan condemned the accident, describing it as a failed, vile attempt to destabilize the national security and terrorize citizens. He sent condolences to the families of the martyrs.

The explosion is the first major terrorist operation in Alexandria since April 2017’s bombing of St. Mark’s Cathedral, which claimed the lives of 18 people during Palm Sunday.