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According to local news, he was a former teacher turned predator whose horrific crimes shocked Egypt.
Convicted of torturing and killing three women, his case exposed a horrifying underworld of abuse and violence.
This chilling true crime story involves not only his brutal murders but also his ex-wife’s desperate fight to rescue their son and move on from a life of fear and abuse.
How did Karim Salim—a man from an affluent background—become one of Egypt’s most notorious criminals?
Let's get into it.
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| Karim Salim |
Who Was Karim Salim?
Karim Salim, 37, was an educated man from a wealthy family.
He graduated from the prestigious American University in Cairo (AUC) and later worked as a high school English teacher.
By the time of his arrest, Salim had also gained attention for his TikTok channel, where he taught American English to his followers.
However, behind this polished image was a dark and disturbed individual.
In 2004, Salim got married to Lobna Yakout, a British-Egyptian woman.
They shared a son, Zayn, and lived together in Cairo until their separation in 2020.
Lobna Yakout later revealed that their relationship was marked by years of abuse, violence, and manipulation.
What Did Karim Salim Do?
Between November 2023 and May 2024, Karim Salim lured three women, all sex workers, to his upscale home in New Cairo.
There, he tortured, murdered, and sexually assaulted their corpses.
According to local reports, Karim Salim built a soundproof room specifically for his crimes.
Evidence revealed he recorded videos of these atrocities and disposed of the bodies in deserted areas near Cairo and Port Said.
How Did the Police Catch Him?
Egyptian authorities were alerted after the discovery of the third victim in May 2024.
After an extensive criminal investigation, they were able to connect Salim to the murders using a combination of incriminating evidence.
Autopsy reports detailed the victims' grim fates: signs of strangulation, flogging wounds, and narcotics in their systems.
One of the most damning pieces of evidence was Salim’s fingerprint.
His fingerprint was found on one of the victim's clothes and toxicology reports further linked him to the victims.
Karim Salim later confessed during interrogation that there were more victims, though this remains unconfirmed.
The investigation revealed a chilling detail: Karim Salim had turned his home into a crime scene laboratory, complete with a soundproof room where he carried out his atrocities.
His actions earned him chilling nicknames like "New Cairo Serial Killer" and "The Fifth Settlement Murderer."
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| Karim Salim |
Karim Salim’s Trial and Sentencing
The overwhelming evidence led to Karim Salim's arrest though he later denied his confessions during trial.
Salim’s trial began in June 2024.
It was marked by courtroom drama, including his first lawyer’s withdrawal from the case.
Despite denying his earlier confessions, the prosecution presented damning evidence: videos showing Salim raping their corpse and disposing of the bodies.
On August 24, 2024, Salim was convicted of torturing and murdering the women, along with additional charges of drug possession and human trafficking.
His case was referred to Egypt's Grand Mufti, a legal formality in such cases.
They ultimately approved the preliminary death sentence on September 12, 2024.
Although the Mufti's opinion is not binding, it is a necessary procedural step before the execution can proceed.
Additionally, Salim has the right to appeal the ruling in a higher court.
As of the time of this writing, he hasn't been executed.
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| Karims Salim's ex-wife Lobna Yakout and their son Zayn |
Aftermath: Lobna Yakout’s Pleas for Her Son
For Karims Salim's ex-wife Lobna Yakout, the trial was a chilling vindication of her fears.
According to PEOPLE, she described Salim as a man who “nearly killed her many times” during their tumultuous marriage.
After their separation in 2020, Yakout alleges that Salim kidnapped their son, Zayn, during a scheduled visit in 2021.
Yakout has since been searching tirelessly for Zayn, who is reportedly living with Salim’s mother in Egypt.
She has received little support from authorities and has turned to social media for help.
She has also set up a GoFundMe campaign to aid her search.
Reflecting on their last moments together, Yakout tearfully recounted her parting words to Zayn: “If you’re taken from me, find me.”
She remains determined to reunite with her son and provide him with a life far from the horrors of his father’s crimes.
Authorities in Egypt continue to investigate the full extent of Salim’s crimes, while Lobna’s story sheds light on the urgent need for better protections for women and children in abusive situations.
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