![](https://amayei.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2018/09/former_housing_minister_ahmed_al-maghrabi_during_his_trial_over_financial_corruption_charges.jpg)
The Court of Cassation upheld the acquittal of former housing minister Ahmed al-Mahgrabi and businessman Mounir Ghabbour on charges related to the illegal seizure of public funds on Tuesday.
In 2013, a first-instance criminal court had found the defendants not guilty of charges related to Ghabbour’s acquisition of a plot of land in New Cairo at favorable rates, with the minister’s help.
In 2011, however, the courts had found the men guilty, sentencing Maghrabi to five years in prison and Ghabbour to one year, while fining both a total of more than LE72 million.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm