Death sentence against rapist of 20-months-old toddler upheld

CAIRO – 1 June 2017: The Mansour Criminal Court has upheld death penalty against a man charged with raping a 20-month-old toddler.

On May 2, the court has referred the case to Grand Mufti Shawki Allam to take his advisory opinion.

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.