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Illicit Gains Authority head bemoans "misled public opinion" Judge Essam Al-Gohary, head of the Illicit Gains Authority, believes that commentators who do not know the law should refrain from spreading rumours and misrepresentations
Judge Essam Al-Gohary, head of the Illicit Gains Authority, believes that those who do not have a legal background should not talk about illegal profiteering cases, saying some figures stirred up public anger because of their inaccurate statements. “What I heard while watching satellite channels was really sad,” he told a press conference Wednesday. “There were guests on many programmes who have no legal experience, although they claim otherwise. “At the end, the public opinion became misled as people think that what they say is true, which causes unrest. But the street won't control the decisions of the Illicit Gains Authority.” The conference was held to explain the reasons behind the release of figures accused of accumulating illegal profits, including Suzanne Mubarak who was released after submitting documents proving that her Heliopolis villa is owned by a sovereign body, and that her bank accounts were donated in her name as Egypt's former first lady to be spent on charity projects. “There is a difference between dealing with a defendant and dealing with a case,” Al-Gohary explained. “Detaining a defendant, or freeing him or her, is not the end of the case. “Someone said on a TV channel that the release of Suzanne Mubarak without guarantee means the case is put on hold, which is untrue. She might be referred to the Criminal Court or arrested again on other charges. “The law stipulates that a defendant must be detained only in three cases: if he or she was caught while committing the crime, has a chance to flee or has not known an occupation. Most of the figures accused of illicit profiteering are banned from traveling.” Speaking of the Mubaraks and other defendants, Al-Gohary said: “Gamal Mubarak asked for some time to release information he said to be dangerous. We also got statements from toppled president Mubarak. “New evidence against Zakaria Azmi emerged, so the decision to release him was appealed against.”
