File Photo: The Public Prosecution building in New Cairo. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Justice website.
According to a statement by the prosecution, the case began after the owner of a car dealership filed a complaint accusing Nakhnoukh and several associates of storming his showroom following a financial dispute, assaulting one of the employees, causing injuries, and seizing the facility's surveillance camera recording unit.
Police investigations reportedly found evidence suggesting that Nakhnoukh and others had led an organized group accused of imposing control through violence, threats, and acts disrupting public order.
Investigators alleged that the group used a private security company as a cover for its activities and relied on financial resources and weapons to facilitate its operations.
The Public Prosecution subsequently issued arrest warrants and search orders for Nakhnoukh's residence and affiliated premises.
Following the arrests on Tuesday and interrogations, prosecutors ordered the suspects held for four days pending investigations. A competent court later extended their detention by an additional 15 days.
Searches conducted by authorities resulted in the recovery of the surveillance recording unit reported stolen from the car dealership.
Prosecutors also said security forces seized two automatic rifles, a machine gun, a pistol, several air and blank-firing weapons, nearly 1,000 rounds of ammunition, five unlicensed communication devices, and 10 artefacts suspected of being antiquities.
The prosecution added that examinations of mobile phones belonging to the suspects revealed recordings allegedly indicating involvement in other crimes, including kidnapping accompanied by sexual assault, unlawful detention involving physical torture, coercion to sign documents, possession of unlicensed weapons and ammunition, use of torture tools, and possession of dangerous wild animals.
Authorities said investigations into those allegations remain ongoing, alongside parallel financial inquiries aimed at tracing proceeds from the suspects' alleged criminal activities.
In its statement, the Public Prosecution stressed that "the rule of law is proceeding with full determination" and that "the law stands above everyone regardless of their status."
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