The owner of a Cairo-area home for women, already facing scrutiny after its closure and a related death, has been sentenced to three months in prison after authorities found narcotics at the facility. Samer Nadim, owner of “Zahret Masr” (Flower of Egypt), was convicted on February 28, 2026, and the sentence was issued by the Latest Cairo Misdemeanor Court in case number 179 of 2025, according to court documents.
The court found Nadim guilty of the crime, citing evidence obtained through “correct procedures” and deemed consistent with logic and reason. Authorities discovered the narcotics during a raid conducted by a committee from the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
A chemical laboratory report confirmed that the seized substances were classified under the third schedule of Egypt’s narcotics law, further solidifying the case against Nadim. The court stated it was satisfied with the integrity of the evidence and the legal process, leading to the conviction and imprisonment.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the narcotics and required Nadim to pay legal fees. If Nadim chooses to appeal the ruling, she must do so in person, and any imprisonment served will continue until the appeal is heard.
From Closure to Criminal Charges
Nadim and “Zahret Masr” have been the subject of media attention in recent months following the home’s closure and the death of a former resident. In September 2025, the Ministry of Social Solidarity enforced a closure order against the facility after a committee from the Cairo Directorate of Social Solidarity and the Fund for Supporting Projects of Associations and Institutions took control of the home and its residents.
The closure stemmed from allegations that Nadim’s organization was operating without the necessary licenses and engaging in financial and administrative irregularities, including collecting donations after its license had expired – a violation of Egypt’s Associations Law No. 149 of 2019. The Ministry subsequently transferred 35 residents to the “Hayat Complex” in Giza, providing them with social and health care, and cautioned the public against donating to unlicensed organizations.
The case resurfaced in February 2026 with the death of a young woman, identified as “Doha,” who had previously resided at “Zahret Masr.” The circumstances surrounding Doha’s death sparked widespread discussion on social media, with reports indicating she faced difficult family circumstances before leaving the home and ultimately being killed in Alexandria by someone who lured her under the guise of offering assistance.
Nadim responded to the tragedy with a live broadcast, placing responsibility on the victim’s father, while also praising the swift arrest of the suspect in Doha’s death. The narcotics case and subsequent conviction represent a new development in the legal challenges facing the owner of the now-closed facility. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of organizations providing social services in Egypt.
