Zawahiri’s acquittal over forming ‘terrorist cell’ upheld

CAIRO – 31 July 2017: Egypt’s Court of Cassation on Monday upheld Al-Qaeda leader’s brother Mohamed Rabie al-Zawahiri’s acquittal of charges of forming a “terrorist cell” linked with Al-Qaeda.

The court also commuted death sentences against 10 convicts to life imprisonment (25 years) in a trial dubbed in media as “Zawahiri Cell.”

Zawahiri was imprisoned in 2003 on charges of creating a terrorist cell and organizing attacks after the Egyptian army ousted President Mohamed Morsy. Zawahiri as well as other defendants were charged for trying to form an organization linked to Al-Qaeda in Egypt in association with his brother.

On October 15, 2015, Zawahiri was acquitted by a Cairo Criminal Court of the charges; however, the Attorney-General office has appealed against the acquittal.