24 December 2024
The Cairo Criminal Court has ruled in the case known in the media as the “Rabaa Operations Room,” case no. 2210 of 2014, where journalist Hassan Al-Qabany was accused due to a case of mistaken identity. The court acquitted him of all charges.
The case had been postponed several times, with sessions initially scheduled for 27 March, 12 May, 27 July, 9 September, and finally, 12 November due to the absence of a key witness.
On 11 April 2015, a verdict was issued in absentia, sentencing Al-Qabany to life imprisonment without notifying him of his trial or conducting an investigation. He was accused of joining an illegal group with knowledge of its aims, participating in a criminal agreement to overthrow the state’s constitution and government by force, and spreading false news and statements both domestically and internationally regarding the country’s internal situation. Al-Qabany submitted a request for a retrial after his arrest in early May 2023.
12 November 2024: Criminal Court Postpones Journalist Hassan Al-Qabany’s Lawsuit for a verdict on December 24
The Cairo Criminal Court has reserved the case known in the media as the “Rabaa Operations Room,” case no. 2210 of 2014, in which journalist Hassan Al-Qabany is accused due to a name similarity, for a verdict on December 24.
The case was scheduled for March 27, July 27, May 12، September 9, and 12 November Due to Prosecution Witness’s Absence
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
9 September 2024: Criminal Court Postpones Journalist Hassan Al-Qabany’s Lawsuit to 12 November Due to Prosecution Witness’s Absence for the Fifth Time
Cairo Criminal Court reserved the lawsuit of journalist Hassan Al-Qabany, in which he’s accused due to the similarity of names, on 12 November due to the absence of the prosecution witness, the lawsuit known as “Rabaa Operations Room” No. 2210 of 2014.
The case was scheduled for March 27, July 27, May 12, and September 9 before being postponed for the same reason.
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
July 27, 2024: Criminal Court Postpones Journalist Hassan Al-Qabany’s Lawsuit to September 9 Due to Prosecution Witness’s Absence for the Fourth Time
Cairo Criminal Court reserved the lawsuit of journalist Hassan Al-Qabany, in which he’s accused due to the similarity of names, on 9 September due to the absence of the prosecution witness, the lawsuit known as “Rabaa Operations Room” No. 2210 of 2014.
The case was scheduled for March 27, July 27 and May 12 before being postponed for the same reason.
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
12 May 2024: Criminal Court Delays Journalist Hassan Al-Qabany’s Lawsuit to May 27th Over Absence of Prosecution Witness for Third Time
Cairo Criminal Court reserved the lawsuit of journalist Hassan Al-Qabany, in which he’s accused due to the similarity of names, on July 27 due to the absence of the prosecution witness, the lawsuit known as “Rabaa Operations Room” No. 2210 of 2014.
The case was scheduled for March 27 and May 12 before being postponed for the same reason.
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
27 March 2024
Cairo Criminal Court reserved the lawsuit of journalist Hassan Al-Qabany, in which he’s accused of similarity of names, on May 22 due to the absence of the prosecution witness, the lawsuit known as “Rabaa Operations Room” No. 2210 of 2014.
The case was scheduled for March 27, before it was postponed again for the same reason.
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
22 January 2024: Cairo Criminal Court reserves the lawsuit of journalist Hassan Al-Qabany, in which he’s accused of similarity of names, on March 27 due to the absence of the prosecution witness
Cairo Criminal Court reserves the lawsuit of journalist Hassan Al-Qabany, in which he’s accused of similarity of names, on March 27 due to the absence of the prosecution witness, the lawsuit known as “Rabaa Operations Room” No. 2210 of 2014.
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
AFTE’s lawyer pleaded Al-Qabany’s acquittal with the following pleas:
First plea: A mistake in the identity of the defendant. In the investigation records, there’s a discrepancy in the full name, profession, and date of birth of the defendant mentioned in the indictment and the referral order, as it was stated in the National Security Investigations record that the actual defendant is called Hassan Hosney Hassan, born on September 15, 1976, and holds a Bachelor of Agriculture. As for Al-Qabany, the defendant before trial, his full name is Hassan Mahmoud Ragab Al-Qabany, born on July 27, 1983, and works as a journalist.
Second plea: Arguing that the National Security investigations are invalid because they contradict the truth and reality and do not follow the correct legal investigation that can be relied upon in a criminal trial, as the actual defendant is a different person from the defendant in the trial.
Third and fourth pleas: The absence of the elements of the two accusations, joining a group established in violation of the provisions of the law, and publishing and spreading false news and statements due to the lack of material evidence that completes the elements of the crime.
Fifth plea: The absence of the elements of the two crimes of participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force and intentionally sabotaging public buildings and property designated for government interests, public facilities, and institutions.
Sixth plea: The lack of connection between Al-Qabany, the defendant before trial, and the accusations attributed to him.
28 August 2023
Cairo Criminal Court (Third Circuit) set next September 26 as a date to adjudicate lawsuit known as “Rabaa Operations Room” No. 2210 of 2014, in which journalist Hassan Al-Qabany is accused. The Court also decided to release Al-Qabany till the adjudication date. AFTE’s lawyers attended the hearing, along with a lawyer representing the Journalists Syndicate and Mahmoud Kamel, representative of the Freedoms Committee of the Journalists Syndicate.
On April 11, 2015, Al-Qabany was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment without being informed of his referral to trial and without being interrogated in the lawsuit against accusations of joining a group established in violation of the law while knowing its purposes, participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force, publishing and spreading false news and information domestically and abroad about the domestic situation of the country. And after his arrest took place in May 2023, Al-Qabany requested a retrial.
AFTE’s lawyer pleaded Al-Qabany’s acquittal with the following pleas:
First plea: A mistake in the identity of the defendant. In the investigation records, there’s a discrepancy in the full name, profession, and date of birth of the defendant mentioned in the indictment and the referral order, as it was stated in the National Security Investigations record that the actual defendant is called Hassan Hosney Hassan, born on September 15, 1976, and holds a Bachelor of Agriculture. As for Al-Qabany, the defendant before trial, his full name is Hassan Mahmoud Ragab Al-Qabany, born on July 27, 1983, and works as a journalist.
Second plea: Arguing that the National Security investigations are invalid because they contradict the truth and reality and do not follow the correct legal investigation that can be relied upon in a criminal trial, as the actual defendant is a different person from the defendant in the trial.
Third and fourth pleas: The absence of the elements of the two accusations, joining a group established in violation of the provisions of the law, and publishing and spreading false news and statements due to the lack of material evidence that completes the elements of the crime.
Fifth plea: The absence of the elements of the two crimes of participating in a criminal agreement aimed to attempt to overthrow the state’s constitution and its government using force and intentionally sabotaging public buildings and property designated for government interests, public facilities, and institutions.
Sixth plea: The lack of connection between Al-Qabany, the defendant before trial, and the accusations attributed to him.
