Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a high-profile case that has captured national attention, the Damanhour Criminal Court in Beheira Governorate sentenced the defendant accused of assaulting the young boy Yassin to 10 years in prison. The ruling was issued during the court’s seventh session, headed by Judge Ashraf Ayad, following the defendant’s appeal against a previous verdict.
The defendant arrived at the courthouse under heavy security, while the child, Yassin, attended the session wearing a Spider-Man costume a symbolic gesture that has become associated with his resilience and determination throughout the proceedings. The session came after the court postponed hearings to 18 November to allow the defense team to complete its arguments.
Scenes from the earlier sessions drew widespread attention on social media and in the press. Yassin’s recurring appearance in court dressed as Spider-Man became a powerful image of courage in the face of trauma. The defendant, meanwhile, was consistently brought into the courtroom under strict security protection, reflecting the sensitivity and public interest surrounding the case. Security forces were heavily deployed around the Itay Al-Baroud Court to secure the proceedings, while dozens of volunteer lawyers, led by notable attorneys Diaa Al-Awadi and Haitham Abdel Aziz, attended to support civil claims on behalf of the child.
During the appeal hearings, the court listened to detailed testimony from senior forensic medical experts, who were questioned regarding the forensic report submitted in Yassin’s case. This examination came at the request of the defense, which also sought to introduce the defendant’s medical records and documents from the Supreme State Security Prosecution.
Earlier this year, on 30 April, the Damanhour Criminal Court had sentenced the defendant, identified as S.K.G.A., a 79-year-old financial auditor to life imprisonment on charges of sexually assaulting the child at a private school in Damanhour. The case was registered under No. 33773 of 2024 for Damanhour Criminal Court and No. 1946 of 2024 for Damanhour Central Criminal Court.
In its original ruling, the court outlined detailed reasoning for its decision, asserting that the evidence presented was consistent, corroborated, and compelling. The child’s identification of the defendant, the testimony of prosecution witnesses, and the findings of the forensic report were cited as key elements supporting the conviction. The court also stated that the defendant’s denial held no weight, characterizing it as an attempt to escape accountability an argument the court firmly rejected.
With the new appellate ruling of 10 years’ imprisonment, the case remains one of the most closely followed in Egypt this year, not only for the disturbing facts surrounding the assault, but also for the public solidarity shown with Yassin and the broader calls for stronger protections for children in educational institutions.
