In new developments regarding the case of "The Killer of the Gathering," which has shaken Egyptian society, Lubna Ghanem, the wife of Karim Selim, who holds both Egyptian and British nationality, made her first media appearance to discuss new details about her husband. She indicated that he attempted to kill her and her siblings.
While crying during a phone interview with journalist Amr Adib on Friday evening, Lubna Ghanem stated, "I met my husband 10 years ago, and we have been separated for 3 years, during which I have not seen my son." She continued in broken Arabic, "He tried to kill me; I was supposed to be his first victim. He was violent with me, and we used to fight constantly. I would escape to my friends’ houses."
She also mentioned, "His mother has taken my son and does not respond to me now; she does not want me to see him, and I have tried to contact her to no avail." Lubna disclosed that she fled to Britain because of him, as he threatened to kill her sisters for hiding her whereabouts from him.
Additionally, she said, "His mother is just like him and threatens me... He had harassment cases in America," indicating that he was one person at home and another in public. She also noted that he filed a case against her for adultery to tarnish her reputation, adding, "I wouldn't be surprised if he does anything."
A friend of the killer, named Samar, who works as a flight attendant, revealed that Karim used to abuse his wife and treated her in an inhumane manner. She emphasized that Lubna is kind-hearted and weak and struggled to confront him or deal with him, enduring his violence for the sake of her child.
Samar confirmed that Lubna did not speak Arabic fluently, having lived most of her life in Britain with separated parents, which left her without friends to turn to in Egypt. She also highlighted that Lubna was unaware of her rights as a wife under Egyptian law. Moreover, the friend noted that Karim married Lubna to obtain British citizenship.
