Egypt’s Criminal Court has referred the case of Karim Salim, the notorious “al-Tagamoa Serial Killer,” to the Grand Mufti for approval of the preliminary death sentence passed against him. The decision was made on Saturday under Article 2-381 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with the final verdict set to be announced on September 12.

Salim, a 37-year-old graduate of the American University in Cairo, holds dual citizenship in Egypt and the US. Previously a teacher, he transitioned to a career in trade. In addition he had gained attention for his popular TikTok account, “Fonix,” which boasts over 600,000 followers. On this platform, he shared educational content and lessons on a variety of subjects, with a particular focus on English. He was found guilty of multiple counts of premeditated murder, sexual assault, necrophilia, and human trafficking in the murder of three female sex workers in the New Cairo area. The autopsy reports suggest that the three women were killed by the same person, as they all displayed similar signs of torture, including strangulation and flogging wounds. Additional evidence against Salim included a fingerprint found on one of the women’s clothes and laboratory tests revealing the presence of narcotics, specifically crystal methamphetamine, in their systems.

Salim’s trial, which began in June, has been marked by dramatic moments, including the withdrawal of Salim’s first lawyer. Throughout the proceedings, Salim has denied the charges and retracted confessions he made following his arrest. Despite his denials, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence against him, including incriminating videos that depicted Salim engaging in necrophiliac acts with the victims’ bodies.

The case now advances to Egypt’s Grand Mufti, the country’s foremost religious authority, for a mandatory review of the preliminary death sentence, as stipulated by Egyptian law. While the Mufti’s opinion is not legally binding, it is a crucial procedural step before the sentence can be finalized.