The Egyptian Public Prosecutor has authorized the burial of Habiba Al-Shama' after receiving medical reports from the hospital. The reports detail the cause of Habiba Al-Shama's death, known in the media as the "Girl of Al-Shorouk," who passed away today. The medical report revealed that the girl suffered from severe cardiovascular collapse that led to cardiac arrest, and attempts to revive her with specialized equipment were unsuccessful.
A video showed her father crying in despair, shouting "My beloved, my daughter," surrounded by numerous residents, as her body was transported to its final resting place, according to Cairo 24 newspaper. Habiba Al-Shama's family buried her following the funeral service at the Police Mosque in the Fifth Settlement, with the burial taking place at the Al-Wafa and Al-Amal cemetery in Nasr City.
Earlier, the girl's mother disclosed to Egyptian media that her daughter suffered from severe bleeding in the brain, eyes, nose, and ears in her last days, and had developed brain swelling since the incident, requiring daily blood platelet transfusions. She stated that "her daughter remained in a complete coma for 21 days without regaining consciousness even for a moment, allowing the family to talk to her or bid her farewell."
The family's lawyer previously confirmed in an interview with العربية.نت that he would submit a modification to the charges in the case, changing them from attempted murder to premeditated murder. He added that, after proving the defendant Mahmoud Hashem had consumed drugs, he would request the Public Prosecutor to amend the charges, noting that the girl had spent 21 days in a complete coma and her condition deteriorated day by day until she breathed her last.
He also mentioned that he filed a complaint against the well-known ride-hailing company at its main headquarters in the US, accusing its branch in Egypt of negligence and employing a driver who uses drugs. This case erupted two weeks ago when a witness on the road observed a girl jumping from a taxi on the Suez Road and stopped to assist her. Before she was transported to the hospital, the twenty-something girl told the witness she had been riding in a vehicle associated with a ride-hailing app, and upon the driver's inappropriate advances, she jumped out of fear of being harassed.
Parliamentary Action
Egyptian parliament member Asmaa Saad Al-Jamal submitted an urgent statement to the House of Representatives after the death of Habiba Al-Shama, which prompted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to intervene for her rescue. The MP directed her urgent statement to Counselor Hanafi Gabali, the Speaker of the House, addressing the Minister of Communications and relevant authorities regarding the opening of files for the companies "Uber," "Careem," and "DiDi," as well as any new companies, demanding that drivers be subjected to psychological tests and drug testing, and reviews of their criminal records, especially after numerous cases of harassment and attempted abduction, the latest being the death of Habiba Al-Shama.
Al-Jamal criticized ride-hailing companies for failing to comply with Prime Ministerial decisions under Article 8 of 2019 concerning these companies' adherence to safe procedures and regulations to protect passengers and citizens, by criminally vetting drivers and conducting drug tests every three months. She stated that in case of non-compliance, the companies should have their licenses revoked under the law due to the recurring incidents of harassment or attempted abduction by certain drivers.
Al-Jamal also urged the government to review the periodic drug testing records for all drivers of ride-hailing companies, which are supposed to be conducted every three months from the date of hiring, clarifying that some companies have neglected this procedure to save costs in pursuit of large profits.
