The Cairo Criminal Court has postponed until 6 May the trial of Ahmed Ezz, the now-disbanded National Democratic Party secretary, for money laundering due to the bad health of his lawyer, Farid al-Deeb.
Ezz’s defense team submitted a request that the trial be postponed as Deeb is currently in Paris receiving treatment for angina pectoris. The request said his condition would prevent him attending Sunday’s session. The team attached a copy of a medical report.
Ezz is accused of laundering around LE6,429,000,000 gained from profiteering and embezzling public money.
Prosecutors say Ezz used part of the money to establish companies under his name and those of his wife and sons. Through those he allegedly made several bank transactions to his personal bank account and those of his companies abroad.
Ezz, a steel tycoon and a close associate of the ousted president’s son, Gamal Mubarak, was sentenced in September 2011 to 10 years in prison for illegally obtaining licenses for steel plants.
Deeb is also defending former President Hosni Mubarak, who is charged with killing protesters during the 25 January uprising and awaits a court ruling scheduled be issued on 2 June.
Deeb was rumored to have fled the country when he traveled to France in January for a heart check-up, but he denied the rumours.
Translated from MENA
