Court issues new verdict in Amr Diab slapping case
An Egyptian appeals court has decided to reserve its verdict in the case of singer Amr Diab being accused of slapping a young man at a concert.
The court has set February 26 as the date for announcing its decision.
A misdemeanor court previously fined Diab LE200 (approximately four US dollars) and ordered him to pay LE10,000 in compensation for assaulting the victim, Saad Osama, at a wedding Diab was performing at.
During Wednesday's hearing, Diab's lawyer argued for his acquittal, claiming that his actions were in self-defense and did not exceed the necessary boundaries.
The defense cited articles in the penal code that permit the use of force to repel a physical assault.
The defense also argued that the victim was slow to report the incident and exploited it for fame, adding that Diab's reaction was natural in response to the assault, which negates the charge of premeditation.
The New Cairo Prosecution Office decided to refer Osama to the misdemeanor court on charges of assaulting Diab at the same event held in a Cairo hotel.
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