Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
An Egyptian criminal court has taken a key procedural step in a high-profile drug smuggling case involving foreign nationals, referring the files of 12 defendants to the Grand Mufti of Egypt for his advisory opinion on the possible issuance of death sentences.
The Cairo Criminal Court, headed by Judge Hassan Farid, announced the decision on Saturday, setting January 18 as the date for issuing its final verdict after receiving the Grand Mufti’s non-binding religious opinion, a standard step under Egyptian law in cases that may carry capital punishment.
The defendants face charges related to the illegal importation and smuggling of narcotics into Egypt. According to the Public Prosecution, investigations revealed that the group was involved in trafficking prohibited substances across the country’s borders in violation of Egyptian drug laws.
Court documents indicate that nine of the defendants are currently in custody, while three others remain at large. All 12 defendants are foreign nationals, though authorities have not publicly disclosed their nationalities or the specific type and quantity of narcotics involved.
Under Egypt’s legal system, referral to the Grand Mufti is a mandatory procedural requirement before issuing death sentences, but his opinion remains advisory and does not bind the court. The final ruling rests with the judicial panel, which will announce its decision at the next scheduled session.
The case comes amid continued efforts by Egyptian authorities to combat drug trafficking, which officials say poses a serious threat to public health and national security. In recent years, courts have handed down increasingly strict penalties in major narcotics cases, particularly those involving organized smuggling networks and cross-border operations.
