The Cairo Criminal Court, convening in the Fifth Settlement today, has referred the case of Karim S., dubbed the ‘Tagamoa Serial Killer’ in media reports, to the Grand Mufti of Egypt for consideration of the death penalty. The court has set September 12 as the date for the final sentencing.
Karim S. has been convicted of the brutal murders of three women, whose bodies were discovered earlier this year. According to security sources from the Ministry of Interior, the defendant confessed to torturing the victims to death after luring them into an apartment in New Cairo.
The investigation revealed that Karim, who self-identified as a “sadist,” used Facebook to lure what he described as “sex workers,” believing that “committing his crimes with them and disposing of them would be easy, as no one asks about them.” Surveillance footage was instrumental in linking him to at least six victims, though only three bodies have been found so far. Preliminary investigations suggest the actual number of victims may be higher.
Under Egyptian law, specifically article (2/381) of the criminal procedural law, it is mandatory for the criminal court to refer death penalty cases to the Grand Mufti before a final verdict is issued. This referral occurs after the judges have unanimously agreed on the death sentence. The Mufti’s religious opinion, while required, is non-binding in the final decision.
The court’s final decision on Karim S.’s fate will be announced on September 12, following the Mufti’s review.
