Egyptian singer and actor Mohamed Ramadan faces a potential two-year prison sentence after an appeals court upheld a previous ruling against him for releasing his song “Number One Ya anfas” without proper authorization. The Doki Appeals Court on Wednesday forfeited Ramadan’s right to appeal due to his absence from the hearing, though legal counsel confirms a counter-appeal remains possible if he appears in person. The case highlights the enforcement of regulations regarding content distribution and copyright within Egypt’s entertainment industry, and raises questions about artistic freedom and legal compliance for prominent figures.
Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan is facing a two-year prison sentence, upheld Wednesday by the Doki Appeals Court, in a case stemming from the release of his song “Number One Ya Anfas” on his official YouTube channel without securing the necessary permits.
The court adjourned the appeal hearing due to the defendant’s absence, resulting in a formal forfeiture of his right to appeal, according to reports.
However, legal counsel suggests Ramadan still has options. “The appeal wasn’t rejected, but Mohamed Ramadan lost his right to be heard by the court due to his non-attendance at the session,” explained Amr Abdelsalam, an attorney, in a statement. “The defendant has the opportunity to file a counter-appeal. He must appear in person before the court, otherwise the ruling will be upheld and become final and enforceable.”
Counter-Appeal Possible
Another lawyer, Abd Elrazek Mostafa, confirmed to reporters that the initial ruling, issued in absentia, allows Ramadan to submit a counter-appeal to protect his rights.
The case centers around allegations that Ramadan broadcast and displayed an audio-visual work – the song “Number One Ya Anfas” – on his official YouTube channel without obtaining the required permissions from the Ministry of Culture, leading to criminal prosecution. The song itself became a viral sensation upon release, sparking both praise and controversy.
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