The Giza Criminal Court has again postponed the trial of steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz, who is charged with illegally acquiring shares of the state-owned steel company, Dekheila. Ezz, the former secretary of organization of the disbanded National Democratic Party, is facing charges alongside former Minister of Industry Ibrahim Mohamedein and five officials from Dekheila. Their activities are said to have earned them LE687.4 million. The court was adjourned to 1 July to hear the testimonies of witnesses for the prosecution. Ezz seemed tense throughout the session and remained standing for three hours. In early May, the Court of Cassation turned down Ezz's appeal against a 10-year prison sentence for illegally obtaining licenses for his steel plants. The court ordered Ezz to return two of the licenses to the government. Ezz also faces a trial on 2 July in charges of laundering more than LE6 billion. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
