Habiba El-Shamma, victim of alleged attempted kidnapping during ride, passes away

Ahram Online , Friday 15 Mar 2024

Habiba El-Shamma, the victim of an alleged attempted kidnapping in a car affiliated with a popular ride-hailing app, passed away after 21 days in a coma.

Habiba El-Shamma
Habiba El-Shamma

 

The 24-year-old woman reportedly jumped out of the high-speed moving car to escape the alleged kidnap attempt. She sustained a brain haemorrhage from the fall and never regained consciousness.

On 27 February, an investigating judge ordered a 15-day detention pending investigation for the driver accused by Habiba’s mother of attempted kidnapping of her daughter during the ride.

The mother cited eyewitness reports that her daughter had told passersby that the “Uber [driver] was about to kidnap me” before she lost consciousness. 

The incident has sparked public scrutiny over safety concerns in ride-hailing services.

The accused driver said during preliminary interrogation that he only rolled up the windows to spray perfume and was surprised by the woman’s sudden jump

He also said he drove off after she jumped out of his vehicle to avoid potential trouble.

The authorities impounded the car and the perfume bottle for further investigation, according to the interior ministry.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has personally followed up on her health condition, according to her mother.

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