Engineer’s Life Sentence Reduced to 10 Years in Giza property Dispute Killing
Giza, Egypt – August 9, 2025 – An Egyptian engineer has had his life sentence reduced to 10 years in prison following an appeal in the South Giza Court, related to the November 2024 death of property owner Ibn Malik Aqar in the Bulaq Dakrur area of Giza. The case, which centered around a dispute over a rental apartment, has drawn attention to ongoing tensions surrounding property rights and escalating conflicts in densely populated urban areas.
The initial ruling, delivered by the Giza Criminal court under Counselor Adel Ali Salim, condemned the accused, identified as “AS,” to life imprisonment for the murder of Aqar. The incident stemmed from a heated argument between the two men regarding the rent of an older apartment within a property located in Bulaq Dakrur.
According to case files – Public Prosecution No. 28895 of 2024, and Restronut no. 7249 of 2024 – the prosecution alleged that “AS” intentionally stabbed and killed Ibn Malik Aqar on November 4,2024. The anatomical report detailed injuries consistent with a stabbing using a “folded” white weapon, ultimately leading to Aqar’s death.
The prosecution further stated that the accused inflicted injuries on the victim, “S.A.”, resulting in incapacitation for over twenty days. During interrogation, “AS” admitted to the crime, claiming he was initially assaulted by Aqar and his brother, leading to a violent altercation fueled by the ongoing rental dispute.He stated he acted in self-defense, drawing a knife (“Mutawa”) and inflicting the fatal wounds.
Counselor Mahmoud Ghaitas, the first public prosecutor of the South Giza Public Prosecution, initially referred the accused to the criminal court, securing the life imprisonment sentence. Though, the Department “8” of the court has now overturned that decision, reducing the sentence to 10 years. This reduction highlights the complexities of Egyptian law and the potential for appeals to influence sentencing outcomes.
Context: Property Disputes and Urban Violence in Giza
Giza, one of Egypt’s most populous governorates, faces increasing challenges related to rapid urbanization, aging infrastructure, and complex property ownership issues. Disputes over rental agreements, notably in older buildings, are common and can often escalate into violence.The bulaq Dakrur area, known for its densely populated neighborhoods and historical buildings, is particularly susceptible to these conflicts. Local community leaders have called for increased mediation services and legal aid to address these disputes before they result in tragic outcomes.This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms and the enforcement of property rights to maintain stability within Giza’s urban landscape.
