Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Minister of State for Information, Diaa Rashwan, has stressed that no final judicial ruling has been issued in the case involving Minister Jehan Zaki, underscoring the distinction between political criticism and criminal accusation while outlining the next steps in a proposed national media reform initiative.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday evening, Rashwan addressed mounting public debate surrounding recent ministerial appointments and clarified the legal status of several cases that have drawn scrutiny. He stated that the case concerning Jehan Zaki remains under consideration before the Court of Cassation, and that no binding verdict has yet been issued.
“The case is still before the Court of Cassation,” Rashwan said, explaining that the appeal was filed by the Public Prosecution, not by the minister herself. He emphasized that under Egyptian law, a ruling is considered final and binding only once it is issued by the Court of Cassation and is no longer subject to appeal. Any assertion that a conclusive judgment has already been reached, he added, would be legally inaccurate and premature.
Between Political Accountability and Criminal Allegations
Rashwan drew a clear line between constitutionally protected political criticism and criminal accusations that require documentary proof. He affirmed that criticism of government appointments is not only permissible but constitutionally guaranteed, as the suitability of public officials is inherently a political matter open to debate.
However, he cautioned that transforming political criticism into criminal allegations demands substantiated evidence. “Some of what has been circulated rises to the level of criminal accusation,” he said, noting that he had not seen a single published document supporting those claims.
According to Rashwan, no final judicial rulings or conclusive criminal records exist against the ministers whose names have recently been raised in public discourse. In the specific case of Zaki, he reiterated that proceedings are ongoing and that any determination regarding her continuation in office would depend on the issuance of a binding judicial ruling.
Should such a ruling be delivered, he said, the Cabinet would assess its legal implications in accordance with governing statutes. Conversely, if allegations are proven unfounded, appropriate legal steps may be taken to address false claims.
Rashwan also invited anyone in possession of documented evidence of wrongdoing to present it publicly and submit it to the relevant authorities. The government, he added, would align itself with any substantiated corruption claim if supported by credible documentation.
Clarifying Other Allegations
Addressing separate allegations involving another official, identified as Engineer Randa, Rashwan indicated that a formal judicial summary would be distributed to clarify the matter. According to his account, the issue in question did not involve a felony but rather an unintended administrative irregularity related to ministry account management at the time. He stressed that no personal criminal charge had been established.
A Media Reform Plan Under Presidential Review
Beyond the legal controversies, Rashwan also spoke about structural reforms within Egypt’s media sector. He revealed that a comprehensive report prepared by a 67-member committee tasked with developing the national media landscape has been presented to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The committee, chaired by former Minister of Youth and Sports Khaled Abdelaziz, reportedly produced recommendations aimed at modernizing media institutions, improving professional standards, and strengthening regulatory and governance frameworks. While Rashwan said he had not yet reviewed the full report, he was informed by committee members that it contains several constructive proposals that could be implemented by the Ministry of State for Information.
The report is expected to be formally transmitted to the President before being referred to the Prime Minister and subsequently to the Ministry for executive action.
Prior and Subsequent Oversight
Rashwan placed the current controversies within a broader constitutional framework governing ministerial appointments and accountability. He described the appointment process as a form of prior oversight: nominations originate with the President and Prime Minister and must ultimately secure parliamentary approval. In addition, he noted, relevant authorities conduct background reviews before officials assume public office.
Yet he argued that the most meaningful accountability mechanism is subsequent oversight, the continuous evaluation of a minister’s performance once in office. That responsibility, he said, lies primarily with parliament and the media.
“The real measure of success or failure is performance,” Rashwan asserted, adding that effective post-appointment scrutiny ensures that public debate leads to tangible outcomes rather than remaining confined to speculation or unverified allegations.
He called on media institutions to exercise their oversight role fully and responsibly, stressing that accountability for performance, rather than conjecture or legally unproven claims is the cornerstone of effective public administration. In a gesture aimed at reinforcing that principle, Rashwan concluded that he considers himself among the first subject to such evaluation, describing performance-based scrutiny as the true safeguard of public service integrity.
As Egypt navigates both internal governance reforms and heightened public scrutiny, Rashwan’s remarks signal an effort by the government to reaffirm procedural legality while defending the constitutional space for political debate, a balance that continues to shape the country’s evolving public sphere.
