MP Ihab Ramzy, a member of the Legislative Committee in the Egyptian House of Representatives, stated that the dispute over the draft Criminal Procedures Law revolves around one of the eight articles objected to by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

He added in an interview with Al Shams TV that the other seven articles have reached consensus regarding increased guarantees after the President’s objections to the texts approved in the draft law.

Ramzy pointed out that the current dispute concerns the defendant’s presence being presented directly before the Public Prosecution without the presence of his lawyer, stressing that this matter will not be left without real guarantees.

He emphasized that it is impossible to approve the article allowing the defendant’s presence before the prosecution without a lawyer, warning that if the article is issued as such, it would be unconstitutional and could be annulled by appealing to the Supreme Constitutional Court.

To reassure citizens, Ramzy reiterated that the discussion concerns only this article among the more than 540 articles in the draft law, confirming that the rest of the articles have seen an increase in rights, freedoms, and guarantees compared to the old law.

He noted that the draft law offers criminal justice in a new form, including the use of technology through managing court sessions, which contributes to achieving swift justice.

He described this as a significant development in the path of criminal justice, affirming that Egypt is proud of the draft law and its accomplishment at this time, and called for not doubting this product that provides citizens with greater security than before.

The special parliamentary committee chaired by Counselor Ahmed Saad El-Din, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, tasked with studying the articles objected to by the President regarding the draft Criminal Procedures Law, has completed its work at the council headquarters.

The committee finally approved all the articles objected to by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, preparing a report to be presented to the general session at a date determined by the Speaker of the House, Counselor Dr. Hanafi Gebali.