The Court of Appeals published the reasoning behind its ruling to release former Mubarak-era prime minister Ahmed Nazif from charges of exploiting his position in making illicit gains.
Nazif was acquitted from all charges by the court in early May 2016. This verdict was final and cannot be further appealed.
The court ruled in July 2015 that Nazif would be detained for five years and would pay a fine of EGP 4.5m before he appealed the court ruling. The court also declined the case filed against his deceased wife.
Nazif stood trial for exploiting his position in seizing lands in Sheikh Zayed at low prices and seizing other lands for his son to build a cemetery. Regarding these charges, the court said that there was no criminal motive behind this purchase could be proved, nor any evidence of misusing public funds to purchase those lands.
In the charge of acquiring gifts from news organisations and donations from a charity organisation run by his late wife, the court said the witness testimonies alone are not enough to prove this charge.
In a similar context of charges Nazif was tried for a sudden increase in his wealth. However, in its reasoning, the court stated that it is not “confident” about the documents filed by the Administrative Prosecution and the Public Funds Investigative Authority. It said the documents submitted by both authorities also contradict one another.
Nazif was referred to criminal court in 2011 after investigations revealed that his wealth did not tally with his legal sources of income, which resulted in him being accused of profiteering and inflation of wealth. He was also accused of using his post as a government official to become wealthy.
Nazif was prime minister under Mubarak’s rule from 2004 until he was dismissed by Mubarak in 2011 following the 25 January Revolution.
