The defendants recorded a video of themselves alleging that they discovered magical materials – including a photo of Zakaria with various symbols and phrases written on it – near a cemetery in Cairo.

They then shared the video on social media for financial gain, according to the statement.

The gravedigger confessed to fabricating the incident with his son, two other individuals, and a woman, all of whom were arrested except for his son.

In his confession, the cemetery worker explained that they obtained Zakaria's photo, knowing he was in poor health, and wrote talismans and incomprehensible phrases on it, along with creating a cloth doll with a set of pins.

36-year-old Moamen Zakaria has been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since 2019, which has hindered his ability to continue his successful soccer career to this day and led him to early retirement. 

The defendants buried the photo and talismans in front of the cemetery belonging to former Ahly player Magdy Abdel Ghany's family to implicate him, “because they are famous sports figures.”

They also claimed that they discovered these magical items while planting a cactus in front of the cemetery.

Furthermore, the defendants filmed the video and shared it on social media to gain the most views for financial profit.

They also handed these materials to Al-Ahly's former winger, claiming it was witchcraft, which he subsequently disposed of, according to the interior ministry's statement.

The interior ministry shared a photo of the defendants and some items used in the incident in a post on the X platform, stating that they are ramping up efforts to capture the fugitive defendant.

Zakaria has been trending since reports of black magic linked to him were found near a grave in Cairo.

The alleged witchcraft involving the former Al-Ahly winger has sparked considerable uproar and criticism on social media.