Defendant in Tanta terrorist cell case referred to Mufti

CAIRO – 24 October 2018: Cairo Criminal Court referred a defendant to Egypt's Grand Mufti over charges of forming a terrorist cell in Tanta, in cooperation with others, to target army and police personnel.

The court scheduled announcing the verdict against the defendant, who allegedly formed the terrorist cell, for November 17, after consulting the Grand Mufti on the execution of the defendant, in the case known in media as "Tanta's terrorist cell".

The defendants face charges including illegally establishing a cell, obstructing the constitution and law, preventing state institutions and authorities from performing their duties, and damaging national unity and society's peace.


In September 2016, the court sentenced four of the defendants in the case to death, while two defendants were sentenced to 15 years and six were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Only one defendant was acquitted of all charges.

Verdicts against the five defendants who were trialed in absentia did not change. However, the other seven defendants appealed the conviction, asking for re-trial.