EGYPT: DEATH SENTENCE FOR MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING SALAFI SHEIKH AND WIFE

January 19, 2012: the Giza Criminal Court gave the death sentence to 35-year-old Mohamed Mohamed Fathallah after he was convicted of the first degree murder of Salafi Sheikh Ahmed Mahmoud Amr and his wife Mona Saeed at their home in the Haram district of Cairo. The sentence was issued after consulting with and attaining the approval of Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa.
Giza Police forces discovered the two bodies inside their home in June 2011. According to investigations, Fathallah was a close personal friend to Amr and would often visit him in his home.
On the day of the murder, Fathallah met with Amr at his home, tied him up and covered his mouth with duct tape. He then proceeded to suffocate Amr to death. Fathallah then entered Saeed's bedroom, raped her and slit her throat. He then stole her jewellery and escaped. He was arrested 14 days later. (Sources: Al-Masry Al-Youm, 19/01/2012)