Egyptian court halts trial of manual laborer who impersonated judge in housing scam

The Ain Shams Misdemeanor Court has put a temporary hold on the trial of a man accused of impersonating a judge, engaging in real estate fraud, and filming promotional videos inside a courthouse while donning judicial sashes. The trial remains suspended while a higher court reviews a motion filed by the defense to remove the judicial panel from the case. The main defendant, along with co-conspirators and court staff, will remain in custody throughout the suspension.

At the hearing, the primary suspect remained silent when questioned about the official referral order and charges. Defense attorneys argued that the defendant was mentally unfit, citing peculiar behavior patterns such as carrying judicial sashes into public cafes and procuring luxury cars with private guards, despite the defendant's occupation as a manual bricklayer. The defense team requested an official psychiatric evaluation to assess the defendant's mental state.

The investigation into the alleged scam began following online social media reports that detailed a housing allocation scheme. Law enforcement subsequently arrested the suspect, who was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, counterfeit judicial badges, and judicial sashes. Analysis of the seized electronic devices revealed video footage recorded inside courthouse premises with the help of complicit personnel.