Today, the criminal court of Agouza acquitted Minister of State for Antiquities Zahi Hawass of the charge issued for not implementing the administration court ruling to put on halt all procedures being taken to rent the cafeteria and the bookstore of the Egyptian museum inTahrir Square.  In May of last year, the ministry had rented the cafeteria and bookstore of the Egyptian museum to the Sound and Light Organisation. Objections by some who did not participated in the bid led the administration court  to rule that the contract must be cancelled and another bidding process established to allow all organisations to participate.

The administration court ruling issued last April sentenced Hawass to one year in jail and a fine of LE1000.

Mohamed Ramadan, legal supervisor of the minister’s office, told Ahram Online that the legal department of the ministry has provided all required documents that confirmed Hawass’ innocence in the case and has thus been acquitted by the court.