Mohamed Ramadan Sentenced to One Year in Prison

The Dokki Misdemeanor Court sentenced Thursday Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan to one year in prison for insulting and slandering Egyptian pilot Ashraf Aboul Yosr in videos posted online.

The Court has also ordered a bail of EGP 10,000 and a fine of EGP 20,000.

On his part, Aboul Yosr commented on the ruling, and described it as a "victory" after he rejected to settle the case in an "Arab sit-down".

The pilot explained that he had filed 3 lawsuits against Ramadan.

“El-Ostoora” star caused Aboul Yosr to be banned from flying for life after a video went viral showing the star in the cockpit sitting next to the pilot while the latter was going to Riyadh to perform a concert.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ibiR4hahR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The video gained more than a million views in just one day, with thousands of comments and shares of people praising or criticizing him. The video was featured on several international news outlets like CNN.

As a result, Egypt’s civil aviation authority revoked the pilot’s license and banned him for life. The decision stirred controversy, between some who backed the decision, and some who felt that the ban was so harsh.

In a live video posted on social media “Facebook” lately, Aboul Yosr revealed the truth behind the whole incident, stressing that the viral video is “fake”.

He also accused Ramadan of causing harm to many people.

The Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority on October 14, 2019, had confirmed the legitimacy of a video in which Ramadan was seen flying a plane, stating in a press release that it had investigated the clip as soon as it was circulated via the internet.

“The plane belonged to an Egyptian private company,” the statement read.

The authority issued a decision suspending the pilot and co-pilot from work and referred them to an urgent interrogation for violating the rules and instructions of international and Egyptian civil aviation and putting passengers at risk.

On his part, Ramadan apologized to the dismissed pilot, affirming that he is ready to give him proper compensation for the harm he has caused.

In televised statements to “Al-Hekayah” talk show, hosted by prominent Presenter Amr Adib, the famous actor said “I am very upset of being the reason behind his dismissal.”

“I am from upper Egypt, and I won’t give up on him,” he confirmed.

[caption id="attachment_108804" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mohamed Ramadan (L) Ashraf Aboul Yosr (R)[/caption]

Mohamed Ramadan Vs Ashraf Aboul Yosr

The pilot started posting videos accusing Ramadan of ending his distinguished career and demanding compensation.

He stated that Ramadan asked him to take a picture for his son, but he was surprised when the actor posted the video online.

The pilot claimed that in private jets nothing separates the cockpit and the rest of the plane.

During an interview with Wael El Ebrashy on “El-Tasea" program broadcast on national TV’s Channel 1, Ramadan stated that the pilot filed a lawsuit at Cairo Economic Court demanding EGP 25m compensation.

However, Ramadan offered Aboul Yosr to pay the pilot his monthly salary for life as compensation, but the actor's twisted apology that didn’t end up going over too well with Abu El Yusr.

The actor added that he didn’t do anything wrong in the case— referring to the Civil Aviation Authority’s decision to not press charges against him, using that as proof that his actions were not punishable by law.

Aboul Yosr denounced in a phone interview on Amr Adib’s “El Hekaya” the way that the situation was handled, revealing that he was deeply offended by Ramadan’s offer to pay him a monthly salary, asserting that he is not after money, but rather justice.

He claimed that he did not know that Ramadan was going to post the video from the flight, and had he been told that it was for the public’s eyes he would have acted differently than he did.

[caption id="attachment_75871" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]  [/caption]

Ramadan revealed that the pilot showed up to his office soon after the incident, asking for a cash settlement of EGP 9.5 million, which Ramadan promptly refused on the grounds that he felt that the pilot was using the situation to extort him.

As a result, Aboul Yosr threatened then to go public with the whole thing and turn it into a social media campaign against Ramadan and his actions.

Ramadan practically told him to do whatever he wanted, and openly told his followers about the altercation, saying, "Let him get his 9.5 million from social media," suggesting that Aboul Yosr has no legal basis to stand on and that he wouldn't be able to reach him in the end.

"I have an extra recording that could seal a felony charge against the pilot. I could quickly post it if I were a bad person, I could easily upload it, and if I do, all those who defend the pilot will apologize to me. However, I wanted to keep this video and use it in court, "he added.

On his part, Aboul Yosr insists that Ramadan is as much to blame for breaking the rules as he is and feels that because Ramadan is a celebrity, he walked away scot-free leaving Aboul Yosr in the lurch.

During Ramadan's interview with El Ebrashy on "El Tasea", Ramadan accused the pilot of libel and of choosing the path of blackmail with him, which is why he is not happily compensating him for what many see as Ramadan ruining the pilot's life.