Life sentence upheld for man who killed uncle by setting him on fire in Mansha'at Nasser over prior disputes

An Egyptian court has affirmed a life sentence for a man found guilty of murdering his uncle by setting him ablaze during a dispute. The Cairo Criminal Court of Appeals upheld the initial ruling, sentencing the عامل (worker) to life imprisonment.

The investigation revealed that the defendant harbored a grudge against his uncle following a previous disagreement. He deliberately planned the attack, obtaining a petroleum-based substance to carry out his scheme. The man then poured the flammable liquid on his uncle while the victim was asleep and ignited it with a lighter, inflicting severe burns that led to his death and also set fire to the victim's home.

The prosecution had charged the defendant, identified as Ahmed. A.R., 23, with premeditated murder. The charges stated that he harbored deep resentment towards his uncle, Ahmed. R., and intentionally planned to kill him. The prosecution also accused him of intentionally setting fire to the victim's residence, causing damage to its contents. Additionally, he faced charges for possessing illegal drugs, including amphetamine, methamphetamine, and hashish, for personal use, and for possessing a lighter and flammable material without legal justification.

During interrogation, the defendant admitted to using drugs and assaulting his uncle. Forensic evidence confirmed that the fire originated in the victim's bedroom, concentrated on his clothing and body, and spread to the furnishings.