Retrial of steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz postponed to March 3

The Cairo Criminal Court decided to postpone until March 3 the retrial of business tycoon and former official in the disbanded National Party Ahmed Ezz as well as ex-chairman of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Amr Assal in the case known in media as "steel licenses".
In December 2012, Ezz was granted a retrial by the Court of Cassation, which revoked an earlier sentence of 10 years for him and for former head of the IDA Amr Assal.
The court also annulled a 15-year sentence for former industry minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid.
Ezz is facing charges of acquiring free licenses for the operation of his steel factories with the help of Rachid and Assal, in violation of laws which stipulate that licenses must be granted through open bids.