File photo: Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
Prosecutors said they will also hear testimony from a defence witness before making a legal decision based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Security forces arrested the man shown in videos circulated on social media, in which a woman said she had been harassed and subjected to an attempted theft in the Mokattam district before being followed onto a public transport bus, the Ministry of Interior announced on Monday.
According to the ministry, investigations and questioning of the complainant, an employee at a private company who lives in Suez, revealed that while leaving her workplace in Mokattam, she was verbally harassed by the suspect, a labourer from Dakahlia, who then followed her as she boarded the bus.
Upon being identified and confronted, the suspect denied committing the incident or having any prior encounter with the victim, the ministry said, adding that legal measures were taken and the Public Prosecution has launched a formal investigation.
In response to claims that the incident took place aboard a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus, the BRT company denied this, noting that the Mokattam area mentioned in the incident is not part of the BRT route.
In a statement, the company clarified that the BRT service operates on a dedicated lane along the Ring Road from Alexandria Agricultural Road station to the Police Academy, with no other routes currently in operation.
The incident recently emerged after videos circulated widely on social media showing the woman complaining of harassment aboard a public transport bus, prompting public reaction and leading authorities to launch an investigation, culminating in the arrest of the suspect.
Egypt has intensified efforts to combat harassment through stricter laws, tougher penalties, and increased police action.
Authorities have also expanded public awareness campaigns, encouraged victims to report incidents, and strengthened surveillance in public spaces, aiming to enhance safety, deter offenders, and reinforce a zero-tolerance policy on harassment.
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