WORLD : Nasser’s Son Denies Any Role in Killing of 2 Israeli Envoys
The eldest son of the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser was freed on bail today after he turned himself in to face charges of involvement in the mid-1980s murders of two Israeli diplomats.
Khaled Abdel Nasser, a 39-year-old engineer, pleaded not guilty in the heavily guarded court after his surprise return to Cairo on Wednesday night from self-exile in Yugoslavia.
Several of the 20 defendants, including Nasser, face a possible death penalty if convicted.
Khaled’s friends and relatives broke into applause at the court’s bail ruling. The court decided to free Khaled on bail of $1,800 but prohibited him from traveling outside Egypt.
“Not guilty. It did not happen,” Nasser said when asked to enter a plea to charges that as a member of the Egypt’s Revolution group he had plotted to kill Americans and Israelis between 1984 and 1987.
The 20 accused, including 11 facing possible execution, went on trial on Nov. 1, 1988, and until today’s hearing, Nasser had been tried in absentia.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
