Ezzat Fahmy, a driver who was slapped by businessman Mohamed Farid Khamis during a visit with Prime Minster Essam Sharaf in 10th of Ramadan city, a Cairo suburb, refused to waive his rights or drop the case he filed against the businessman. Fahmy claims that Khamis shamed him before the prime minister and a group of investors. Fahmy is currently on a hunger strike to protest the violation. Khamis allegedly offered Fahmy two all-expenses paid Hajj and Umrah trips if he withdraws his case, but so far the two parties have failed to reconcile. Problems with Khamis date back to the 2005 elections when, during a conference arranged for Khamis' brother Mahmoud, then a candidate for parliament, Fahmy was ejected from the room after voicing strong dissent, Fahmy claims. His life was threatened and he was told, “not to bother” since he was a “mere driver,” reports Fahmy. Fahmy said he was waiting to talk to the Prime Minister about his missing pension. When he approached the Prime Minister, he encountered Mohamed Khamis and said, “You and your brother have done nothing for the 10th of Ramadan City.” Khamis allegedly responded with violent language and physical force.
