File photo: Egypt s House of Representatives.
Under the approved amendments, an individual convicted by a criminal court will now have the right to an additional appellate trial before their appeal is reviewed by the Court of Cassation, whose rulings are final and cannot be appealed.
Similar provisions apply to individuals convicted in absentia for a felony. Moreover, they still have the right for a retrial before the criminal court once they either turn themselves in or are apprehended by security authorities.
Various judges and legal experts have praised the draft law as a crucial step toward ensuring absolute justice.
“Previously, the accused faced a precarious situation during the issuance of the ruling, as they were only tried once before being directed to the Court of Cassation directly,” cassation attorney Gaber Agha told Shorouk News.
Furthermore, lawyer Ahmed Mahran, speaking to Masrawy, highlighted that the increased levels of litigation will provide defendants’ lawyers a chance to present defences that they were unable to present in the initial stage of criminal trial.
The Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives has stated that the draft law aims to achieve justice in the most effective manner while alleviating the burden on the Court of Cassation.
Additionally, the committee emphasized that the amendments seek to provide the best guarantees for litigation, considering the gravity of criminal cases.
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