Execution of Nourhan Khalil Postponed… State Council Assigns Commissioners to Prepare Legal Report
The hearing to suspend Nourhan Khalil’s execution has been postponed to September 8, due to legislative amendments and reconciliation efforts.
The First Circuit for Rights and Freedoms at Egypt’s State Council has postponed the urgent hearing on the request to suspend the execution of Nourhan Khalil until September 8. The court also tasked the State Commissioners Authority with preparing a detailed legal report to be submitted before the case’s oral arguments.
Legal Grounds and Legislative Basis for the Appeal
Lawyer Hany Samir filed an appeal to stop the enforcement of the death sentence issued by the Port Fouad Criminal Court (Case No. 816 of 2022, registered as No. 1564 of 2022 at the Port Said Criminal Court), which was upheld by the Court of Cassation on May 19, 2025.
The appeal is based on a legislative amendment issued in April 2025 that mandates halting executions if the victim’s family (referred to in Islamic law as "the heirs of the blood") submits an official waiver or reaches a reconciliation. The lawyer confirmed that a certified and notarized waiver from the husband and children was presented to both the Court of First Instance and the Court of Cassation.
The appeal further cites constitutional articles (101 and 123), which require a 30-day period following parliamentary approval before a new law takes effect. Additionally, Article 49 of the Supreme Constitutional Court Law was referenced, stating that any ruling based on a repealed or amended law is considered null and void.
The Public Prosecutor has officially referred request No. 1230316 to the Port Said Public Prosecution to cancel the execution, viewing the ruling as void due to the expiration of the constitutional waiting period and the fulfillment of reconciliation.
Lawyer Samir also pointed to the global trend of limiting or abolishing the death penalty, noting that over 144 countries have suspended or eliminated the punishment. He condemned online incitement campaigns that contradict Islamic values of mercy and forgiveness, quoting the Quranic verse:
“But if the killer is forgiven by the brother of the slain, then grant fair reparation and payment in kindness” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:178)
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