Northern Egypt man receives life sentence for sexually assaulting five-year-old under threat

CAIRO – 30 April 2025: A criminal court in northern Egypt today sentenced a 78-year-old man to life imprisonment for the sexual assault of five-year-old Yassin under threat inside a school in Beheira.

This verdict, issued during the first session of the trial on Wednesday, is not final and will be appealed as per the Egyptian law.

The convict, who works as a financial supervisor at a language school in the same school as the child, stood trial to face charges of molesting Yassin in the school’s bathroom and garage last year.

The case has sparked widespread outrage among the public, who demanded justice for the preschooler.

During the proceedings, the court accepted requests from Yassin's defense team to amend the charges, changing the classification of the assault from "non-violent" to "violent under threat."

Prominent attorney and former Parliament Member Mortada Mansour has publicly taken up Yassin's case.

Yassin appeared in court wearing a Spider-Man mask to maintain his privacy, and the session was conducted under tight security due to the sensitivity of the case and the public interest it has generated.

What People, Media Say

The incident has provoked widespread anger in Egypt, particularly after reports surfaced that Yassin had been assaulted multiple times in the school restroom and garage.

Allegations have also emerged suggesting that a female school employee may have assisted the accused and that school management was aware of the situation but attempted to cover it up.

The events leading to the case date back to January of last year when Yassin's mother noticed her son’s reluctance to enter the bathroom.

Upon further questioning, Yassin revealed that he had been sexually assaulted by a school staff member, prompting his mother to file a complaint.

Following a medical examination, a doctor reportedly confirmed signs of repeated sexual assault.

Yassin was able to identify the perpetrator through social media photos, and upon visiting the school with his mother, he reportedly recognized a staff member who was allegedly aware of the abuse.

The prosecution referred Yassin for forensic examination in Damanhour and requested investigative reports, summoning the school principal and the accused, now convict, for questioning.

The principal asserted that the man was appointed by the local diocese to oversee the school’s accounts.

She claimed to have conducted an internal investigation, which reportedly concluded that Yassin was not in a stable condition.

After the mother challenged a previous decision by the prosecution that had released the accused while closing the investigation for due to indecisive police findings, the court ordered a reopening of the case on January 14, following a ruling from the judge.

The prosecution then took further statements from Yassin’s mother. It also summoned individuals who the mother claimed were intermediaries acting on behalf of the man, pressuring her and her husband to accept a settlement and drop the charges.

The female school employee, whom Yassin identified as having witnessed the abuse, allegedly concealed the actions of the accused after receiving payment.

The mother also mentioned another parent of three children at the same school who was aware of other unethical incidents similar to her son's case.

Education Ministry Intervenes

The Ministry of Education announced on Monday that its directorate in Beheira would take all necessary legal actions, alongside the school’s legal representative and ownership, following a final verdict in the case.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline in schools and taking appropriate legal measures against any incidents that may harm or endanger students.

Meanwhile, the ministry urged social media users and all media outlets to be accurate in their reporting on the case, clarifying that the incident occurred in February 2024 and is currently under investigation by the public prosecutor and judicial authorities.