By: Counselor Ahmed Bashir El-Ghazawy, Attorney at Law

First Appeal Hearing for FBC Platform Defendants Postponed to October 19

The Cairo Economic Court has postponed the first appeal hearing in the FBC platform case, in which several defendants are accused of defrauding citizens, until October 19, with the defendants required to attend. The postponement comes after an earlier ruling sentenced the defendants to five years in prison, fined them EGP 10 million, and ordered them to repay EGP 14 million.

Details of the FBC Platform Case

The case involves allegations related to the FBC platform, with several individuals accused of defrauding citizens. Earlier, the Cairo Economic Criminal Court sentenced the defendants to five years in prison, in addition to the financial fine and repayment of funds included in the ruling.

With the case now entering the appeal stage, the court will continue reviewing the proceedings in the presence of the defendants during the hearing scheduled for October.

Defense Challenges Defendant's Alleged Role in Managing the Platform

Attorney Ahmed Bashir Al-Ghazawy, who represents one of the defendants, said the defense will argue before the court that his client did not hold the position of website manager and had no administrative connection to the platform involved in the case.

The defense explained that, assuming his client's connection to the platform is established, his role was limited to participating in the platform and did not include managing or supervising its activities.

Defense Argues That the Material Elements of the Crime Are Absent

The defense is also arguing that the material elements of the alleged crime are not established against its client, based on the claimed absence of a causal connection between his alleged actions and the events at the center of the case.

This argument seeks to establish that there was no direct connection between the defendant and the acts forming the basis of the accusations. The court will determine the matter based on the evidence and facts presented during the proceedings.

Prosecution Seeks the Maximum Penalty

The investigating authorities had previously appealed the judgment issued against the defendants, seeking the maximum penalty.

The case has therefore moved into the appeal stage before the competent court, where the defense arguments, evidence, and documents will be reviewed.

Additional Defense Arguments Presented

During previous hearings, the defense raised several legal arguments, including a claim that the special criminal intent required for the alleged offense was not established against its client.

The defense argued that its client did not have an intention to defraud or take other people's money. It also maintained that the accusations were broadly attributed among those involved in managing the platform.

The defense further pointed to what it described as deficiencies in the technical report and the Public Prosecution's investigations, arguing that the actual person responsible for committing the alleged crime had not been identified and that the necessary technical and technological examination had not been fully conducted.

Next Hearing Date in the FBC Case

The Cairo Economic Court decided to postpone the first appeal hearing in the FBC platform case until October 19, with the defendants required to attend and the proceedings to continue.

All defenses and requests submitted by the defense remain subject to the court's consideration until the appeal proceedings conclude with the court's decision or judgment.