Khaled Mohamed, a steel company owner, has said while giving testimony to court in the trial of Ahmed Ezz that Ezz's monopoly in steel licensing did not negatively affect the nation’s economy.
The former NDP figure Ezz was frequently blamed for controlling steel prices, causing the real estate market to fluctuate over recent years.
However, Mohamed told the judge that Ezz’s policy did not have bad effects, which prompted a massive ovation from the lawyers and supporters of Ezz.
One of the session’s attendees clapped his hands so excessively that he was sentenced to 24 hours in jail for contempt of court.
Steel tycoon Ezz is indicted on charges of accumulating illegal profits and squandering public funds.
Ex-Minister of Trade and Industry Rashid Mohammed Rashid and former IDA Chairman Amr Asal are facing similar charges.
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