According to Cairo 24, the accused sexual predator Shady Khalaf was granted a conditional pardon in the case for which he was sentenced to 3 years in prison in February of last year for the accusation of sexually assaulting 7 girls.

The release of Shady Khalaf, a 42-year-old actor and acting coach at Studio Zat, has caused quite a stir in Egypt.

Khalaf was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting seven girls during acting workshops, but he was granted a conditional pardon after serving half of his detention period and adhering to good behavior during his time in a rehabilitation center.

This has raised questions about the strict laws that are imposed on sexual assault cases and how someone like Khalaf could be released so easily.

Shady Khalaf’s Case

In June 2021, actor and standup comedian Abdul Rahman Magdy posted on his Instagram account about hearing of women who were harassed by an acting coach inside his studio during acting workshops. Magdy did not name the actor or victims at the time, but he sought to warn girls communicating with him and stop the coach from his actions.

In October 2021, Khalaf was first referred to the Criminal Court after the Public Prosecution charged him with harassment and sexually assaulting seven girls during an acting workshop in his studio. The court postponed his trial to December 19, 2021, for pleadings.

During the trial session, Shady Khalaf faced the accusations against him and denied them. His lawyer requested calling the evidence witnesses to the court and hearing their statements. The second victim also asked to hear her statements. Shady Khalaf’s lawyer questioned the victim’s motives for taking the case to court after years of it happening, and he claimed that the case was made for the “trend.”

Eventually, Shady Khalaf was accused of sexually assaulting seven girls during acting workshops, and he was charged with sexual assault, harassment, and attempted rape. The investigation authorities referred him to the criminal court, and he was eventually sentenced to three years in prison.

After serving half of his legal detention period and demonstrating good behavior during his time in the rehabilitation center, Khalaf was granted a conditional pardon. This decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the justice system in Egypt.

The Viral Post by “Mustafa Ahmed”

Before the news of Khalaf’s release was reported by Cairo 24, a viral post on Facebook by “Mustafa Ahmed” caused outrage among Egyptians. Mustafa Ahmed claimed that he met Shady Khalaf during a work meeting and was shocked to find out that he had been released from prison.

According to Mustafa, he asked Khalaf about the recent news regarding the harassment accusations, and Khalaf became tense and withdrew calmly without showing any sign of disturbance.

The Controversy Surrounding Khalaf’s Release

The release of Shady Khalaf has caused controversy in Egypt, with many people expressing their outrage on social media. There are concerns that Khalaf’s release sends the wrong message to sexual assault victims and undermines the justice system.

The Law in Egypt Regarding Sexual Assult

Article 306 (A) of Egyptian law states that whoever exposes others in a public, private, or public place by committing sexual or pornographic insinuations or insinuations, whether by gesture, verbal or deed, by any means, including wired, wireless, or electronic communications, or any other means shall be imprisoned for no less than three years and not exceeding five years and a fine of no less than 200000 EGP and not more than 300000 EGP, or either of these two penalties if the offender repeats the act through stalking and tracking the victim. In the event of recurrence, the minimum and maximum penalties of imprisonment and a fine are doubled.

Article 306 (b) considers sexual harassment if the crime mentioned in Article 306 (a) of this law is committed with the offender’s intention of obtaining from the victim a benefit of a sexual nature, and the offender shall be punished with imprisonment for no less than five years.

The fact that Khalaf was released after serving only half of his detention period and demonstrating good behavior has raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in Egypt. Many people are calling for a review of the laws surrounding sexual assault cases to ensure that justice is served.

The release of Shady Khalaf, a convicted sexual predator, has raised concerns about the justice system in Egypt. Many people are calling for a review of the laws surrounding sexual assault cases to ensure that justice is served and that victims are protected.