The Ministry of Interior revealed the circumstances behind a viral incident in Qena, where a bulldozer was used to damage several shopfronts due to a conflict over land ownership.

Police in Qena received a report from three shop owners claiming that a man had hired a bulldozer operator to destroy their storefronts following a long-standing dispute over the land on which the shops were built.

A special investigative team was formed, and the main suspect was arrested. During questioning, he admitted to misleading the bulldozer driver, falsely claiming he was the legal owner of the shops and that an official demolition order had been issued. The driver was also arrested and confirmed the same account. Legal procedures were taken, and the public prosecution launched an investigation.

In a separate incident in the same governorate, police forces exchanged gunfire with a fugitive drug dealer known as “Hazem El-Tara” in the village of Dandara, resulting in his death.

The suspect, who was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment, opened fire on security forces during a raid, prompting them to respond. A quantity of narcotics was found in his possession, and the body was transferred to Qena General Hospital. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further details.