Tomorrow (Monday), Counselor Mortada Mansour, the former president of the Egyptian club, Zamalek, will be released from Wadi Al-Natrun prison after serving his one-month prison sentence, on charges of insulting and slandering Captain Mahmoud Al-Khatib, president of Al-Ahly Club, amid security restrictions by the security men.
The General Administration of Prisons Service in Egypt had informed Wadi Al-Natrun Prison of the release of "Mortada" tomorrow, stressing the need for security measures and restrictions at the exit gate, for fear of provoking any riot by the prisoner's family.
It is noteworthy that, on February 25, the Court of Cassation upheld the verdict issued against Mortada Mansour, president of Zamalek Club, with one month's imprisonment enforceable, and one year's imprisonment suspended, for accusing him of insulting and slandering Mahmoud Al-Khatib, President of Al-Ahly Club.
The past hours witnessed a state of controversy regarding Counselor Mortada Mansour’s position on returning to the presidency of the White Castle after his release from prison, and a source inside the Ministry of Youth and Sports revealed that the ministry announced its position from the beginning that it was necessary to exclude “Mortada” after a final ruling was issued against him, according to the clubs’ guiding list. And that he will not return until after the end of all the courts pending before the judiciary against him in the same matter.
The source added that the coming hours will be decisive in Mortada Mansour’s file, especially since in the event of his release from prison and his return to the Zamalek club, the Ministry will intervene. It will take into account the interest of the club and not any individuals.
And the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, confirmed in statements that the ministry is still studying the position of Counselor Mortada Mansour on continuing to preside over Zamalek, stressing that what hindered any procedures during the last period was the request of the Zamalek Board of Directors to postpone the matter because there are 4 cases before the judiciary regarding The head of the White Castle, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports will take into account maintaining the stability of the Zamalek club with the application of the law.
Mohamed Hefny (Cairo)