In a shocking incident that unfolded at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, an Egyptian man found himself in a legal quagmire after he allegedly herded two women into an elevator, molesting one of them and resorting to lewd behavior. This disturbing incident, which took place in April 2023, has raised questions about safety and conduct in one of Singapore’s most renowned landmarks. Let’s delve into the details of this unfortunate event.
Wael Mohamed Abdelmagid Ibrahim Kandil: The Man in Question
The perpetrator in this case is Wael Mohamed Abdelmagid Ibrahim Kandil, a 38-year-old man hailing from Egypt. Wael, at the time of the incident, was in Singapore for a week to attend a conference. He held the position of director of sales for Simply Gourmet, a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
The Fateful Encounter
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 29, 2023, at the entrance to a lift lobby on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands. At that moment, two women were present: a 36-year-old Vietnamese woman and a 39-year-old Singaporean woman. According to court records, the women were simply minding their own business and did not wish to engage with Wael.
Despite the women’s clear disinterest, Wael continued to persistently interact with them and followed them into the lift lobby. His actions soon took a disturbing turn.
Unwanted Advances and Confrontation
Inside the lift lobby, Wael approached both women, putting his hands on their shoulders as if to massage them. Disturbed by this unwanted contact, the younger woman quickly removed his hand from her shoulder, while the other woman firmly told Wael not to touch them.
However, Wael’s advances didn’t stop there. When the elevator arrived, he forcibly pushed the older woman toward the lift. She was clearly unwilling to enter the elevator with Wael and the other men accompanying him. However, Wael persisted, herding both women into the confined space.
Inside the elevator, Wael’s behavior escalated to a new level of indecency. He suddenly reached out and flicked the younger woman’s nipple repeatedly, leaving her shocked and angry. Understandably, both women confronted Wael about his disgraceful actions.
Instead of offering an apology, Wael responded in an even more offensive manner. He looked at the victim, touched his own nipple, and then brazenly lifted his shirt, exposing himself to her.
Reporting the Incident
Once the elevator reached the ground floor, the two women wasted no time in leaving the scene. They promptly reported the shocking incident to security officers at Marina Bay Sands.
Wael and his companions, however, took a different approach. They claimed that the two women were intoxicated and asked the security officers to provide them with water.
Legal Proceedings
Thankfully, the two women persisted in their efforts to seek justice. They reiterated their accusations of molestation against Wael, prompting the security officers to detain him and review closed-circuit television footage from inside the elevator.
Subsequently, one of the officers filed a police report, leading to Wael’s arrest.
False Accusations and Ongoing Legal Battle
During the investigation, Wael offered an eyebrow-raising defense. He claimed that the two women had offered sexual services to him in exchange for money and that they had fabricated the molestation allegations when he refused to meet their demands.
As a result of these allegations, the investigation officer had to conduct a thorough inquiry to disprove Wael’s claims, which included taking statements from the two women.
Wael’s Current Situation
Wael’s legal woes have had a profound impact on his life. As of the court proceedings, he had spent approximately five months in Singapore due to the ongoing case. During this time, he sought to extend his residence visa in Dubai, where his wife and two children reside.
Wael’s wife is Russian, and neither she nor their children possess citizenship in Dubai or Egypt. If Wael’s visa were to expire, it could lead to dire consequences, as his family would be compelled to return to Russia, a situation his lawyer deemed “very dangerous” for them. Additionally, Wael’s business would be at risk of significant losses.
Legal Implications
Wael Mohamed Abdelmagid Ibrahim Kandil is set to return to court for his sentencing in November. His actions carry serious legal consequences. For the charge of molestation, he could face imprisonment for up to three years, fines, caning, or a combination of these penalties. Regarding the charge of insulting modesty, he could be sentenced to imprisonment for up to a year, fines, or both.