
An Uber driver has been apprehended by Cairo police on suspicion of attempted sexual assault, marking yet another alarming incident involving women utilizing the popular ride-hailing service in Egypt.
According to the interior ministry, the driver allegedly wielded a box-cutter in an attempt to assault a passenger on a Cairo street this past Sunday. Fortunately, the passenger sustained injuries but managed to escape the situation, as reported by the ministry in a concise statement.
Uber, acknowledging the severity of the situation, described the assault as sexual in nature and expressed profound dismay over the incident in a communication with media.
This distressing occurrence follows a similar incident that drew widespread public condemnation earlier in March when 23-year-old Habiba al-Shamaa tragically succumbed to injuries sustained after leaping from an Uber vehicle on a Cairo highway, seeking to evade an attempted kidnapping by her driver.
While the identity of the recent passenger remains undisclosed, her sister recounted the harrowing encounter in an interview with MBC television’s Al-Hekaya talk show hosted by Amr Adib, who criticized Uber’s accountability measures.
Questions surrounding Uber’s oversight and responsibility have gained traction, particularly in the wake of Shamaa’s case, with Mahmud Hashem, the driver involved, receiving a 15-year prison sentence last month for charges including attempted kidnapping, drug possession, and driving under the influence.
Amid mounting calls for action on social media, Adib urged for heightened accountability and security measures from Uber, emphasizing the imperative of stringent hiring protocols and drug testing.
In response, Uber reiterated its commitment to combatting all forms of sexual abuse and violence, underscoring their determination to address these pressing concerns.