The Cairo Economic Court of Appeals has set April 19th as the date for a crucial hearing on the appeal filed by Egyptian blogger Hadeer Abdel Razek and her ex-husband, Mohamed Alaa, known as "Otaka," against their prison sentence and fine. This case stems from charges related to publishing content online and via the Telegram application, based on Article 25 of the Cybercrime Law No. 175 of 2018, in addition to other charges included in the indictment.

Background of the case and its general context

This case is part of a series of similar cases in Egypt in recent years targeting content creators and social media influencers. These cases often rely on vague legal provisions such as “violating the principles and values ​​of the Egyptian family” or “offending public morals,” as stipulated in the Cybercrime Law. These trials have sparked widespread debate about the limits of freedom of expression in the digital sphere and the balance between protecting societal values ​​and preserving personal rights and privacy.

Pillars of defense and challenges of digital proof

Dr. Hani Sameh, the lawyer representing blogger Hadeer Abdel-Razek, explained that the appeal is based on fundamental grounds that cast doubt on the "principle of attribution," meaning the very attribution of the act to the defendant. The defense emphasized that the case file lacks any conclusive technical evidence proving that the defendant was the one who published or managed the channel or account attributed to her, leaving the central question of the case without a definitive technical answer: "Who published? And who managed?".

The defense added that what was presented as “digital evidence” suffered from serious flaws that undermined its legal value. The chain of evidence began with a civilian informant who downloaded the videos onto his personal phone, then transferred them to a flash drive and submitted them to the authorities. This process was carried out without following established digital forensics procedures, such as creating a digital fingerprint (hash) of the original content or a forensic image, which opens the door to potential manipulation of the content through deletion or addition, and breaks the secure “chain of possession” of the digital evidence.

Procedural flaws and integrity of evidence

The defense also maintained that there was a procedural flaw, which it described as "extremely serious," as the investigation revealed that a "third clip" had been added to the storage device after the official seal had been opened. This action, the defense argued, compromised the integrity of the evidence and weakened its admissibility as proof of guilt. The defense further pointed out that the official technical report did not prove that the defendants had "directly uploaded" the clips to the Telegram application, but rather only identified a "screenshot and an external link" to content that was hosted on another platform and subsequently deleted. This, the defense argued, creates a fundamental contradiction between the wording of the indictment and what the technical examination revealed. In addition, the defense noted a chronological inconsistency in the dates of the incident, which further casts doubt on the accuracy of the evidence.

The importance and expected impact of the issue

This case is particularly significant because it highlights the challenges facing justice in the digital age. The appeal ruling is expected to have a major impact on the future of similar cases, potentially establishing stricter standards for the admissibility of digital evidence in courts and emphasizing the need to adhere to forensic technical protocols to ensure the integrity and non-tampering of evidence. Attorney Hani Sameh concluded his argument by asserting that the core issue is a “leak and invasion of privacy,” making the defendants victims of a grave violation of their constitutional rights, not perpetrators.

Mohammed Al-Khudair, CEO of the National Company for Education and Training (NCLE), confirmed that enrollment in private education in Saudi Arabia currently stands at 17%, expressing his optimism that this percentage will grow in the coming years. This statement was made to Akhbar24 on the sidelines of the Future of Education and Training Conference, where he noted that one million students are currently enrolled in the private sector, compared to five million in public education.

Historical context and the role of Vision 2030

This anticipated growth reflects a strategic shift in the Saudi education sector, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Historically, public education has played the most prominent role in shaping future generations, but with economic and social developments, the need to diversify educational options has become increasingly apparent. The National Education and Training Company, established in 1958 as a small girls' school two years before the General Presidency for Girls' Education, serves as a prime example of the private sector's long-standing tradition and capacity for growth. It has transformed from a single school into a publicly traded company that now serves over 35,000 students across 17 educational complexes.

The importance of the private sector in achieving sustainable development

Vision 2030 places paramount importance on developing human capital, and this is where private education plays a crucial role as a strategic partner to the government. The sector helps alleviate the burden on public schools and provides diverse learning environments that cater to the aspirations of different segments of society, including international curricula and programs that focus on modern skills such as critical thinking and innovation. Al-Khudair noted that “younger generations of parents are prioritizing their children’s education more than previous generations,” reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of investing in the future.

Expected local and regional impact

At the local level, the growth of private education fosters a healthy competitive environment that encourages higher quality educational outcomes in both the public and private sectors. It also contributes to attracting investment and creating new job opportunities. Regionally, a strong and developed private education sector enhances the Kingdom's position as an attractive destination for foreign talent and investors seeking high-quality education for their children, thus supporting Saudi Arabia's transformation into a leading regional hub across various fields. While Al-Khudair acknowledged that investing in education is "one of the most challenging investments" due to the need to balance quality and profitability, he emphasized that many companies have successfully achieved this difficult balance thanks to the strong support the leadership provides to the education sector.

In a move that underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership in government digital transformation, the Director of Public Security, Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, launched a suite of innovative e-services on Monday through the Ministry of Interior's leading digital platform, "Absher." The launch took place at the General Directorate of Public Security headquarters in Riyadh, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior.

General context: “Absher” as a key pillar of Vision 2030

The launch of these services is an integral part of the Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to realize the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places digital transformation and improving quality of life at the heart of its priorities. Since its inception, the "Absher" platform has revolutionized how citizens, residents, and visitors interact with government services, transforming procedures that previously required time, effort, and multiple reviews into seamless digital processes that can be completed from anywhere at any time, thus enhancing efficiency and transparency and increasing user satisfaction.

Details of the new services and their expected impact

The new suite of services targets vital and diverse sectors, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the platform's development. The launched services include the following:

• Air rifle services: Users can now submit reports of lost or damaged air rifle licenses electronically, in addition to the “authorization to carry a functional weapon” service via the “Absher Business” platform, which makes it easier for government and private entities to manage the weapons licenses of their security personnel efficiently and safely.
• Motorcycle services: The procedures for transferring ownership and authorizing the driving of motorcycles have been simplified. These services are in increasing demand and contribute to regulating this sector and ensuring the safety of transactions between individuals.
• Security camera services via “Absher Business”: This service is a valuable addition to the business sector, as commercial establishments can now issue and view the “Security Camera Installation Compliance Certificate” electronically. This certificate is a fundamental requirement for many business activities, and its digitization accelerates the pace of starting and operating businesses, supporting an attractive investment environment.
• Other services: The launch also included the “Vehicle Reports and Cards” service and the “Electronic Statements” service, which allows users to request official statements without having to visit security sectors.

Importance and future impact

The launch of these services not only facilitates daily procedures for beneficiaries but also enhances security by providing accurate and up-to-date data to relevant authorities. Furthermore, it supports economic growth by reducing bureaucracy for businesses. Regionally, these developments solidify the Kingdom's position as a leading example in e-government and underscore its unwavering commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies to serve all who live within its borders and achieve a more prosperous and secure future.