Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has made significant progress in the investigation of the Cairo Plane Case by charging 11 individuals with espionage. Among them are five Egyptian nationals and six Zambians who have been accused of being involved in the seizure of a private jet in the capital city of Lusaka. The aircraft was allegedly carrying a substantial amount of gold and dollars.
One of the six Zambian suspects is reported to be a senior police officer, which has raised concerns about the potential involvement of law enforcement authorities in this illegal operation. The suspects, including the Egyptian nationals, appeared before the magistrate court in Lusaka on Monday, and their case has been adjourned until Tuesday.
The DEC has been tight-lipped about the details of the investigation and has not responded to inquiries from Ahram Online. However, the commission had previously stated that the private plane was intercepted at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka after transiting through Cairo. It was during this inspection that authorities discovered $5.6 million in cash, 602 suspected gold bars weighing 127.2 kg, and several loaded pistols on board.
The court handling the case decided last week not to release the crew of the private jet, which includes an Egyptian air hostess, separate from the five Egyptians charged on Monday. The pilot of the aircraft, who is of Egyptian origin and resides in Cairo, entered Zambia using a Saint Kits and Navis passport, as revealed during the court proceedings.
In recent days, Zambian authorities have continued to make arrests in connection with the case. The BBC reported that several more Zambian citizens have been taken into custody for their alleged involvement. President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed his determination to apprehend and prosecute all individuals involved in this incident, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges.
If convicted, the suspects could face up to 30 years in prison under Zambian law, as stated by the Agence France-Presse (AFP). The trial is expected to shed more light on the intricate web of espionage and illicit activities surrounding this high-profile case. The DEC’s efforts to bring those responsible to justice are commendable, and the outcome of the trial will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
