Nadia El Gendy Faces Legal Action Following Defamation Complaint by Ferial Youssef
A legal battle is brewing between Tunisian artist Ferial Youssef and Egyptian actress Nadia El Gendy, stemming from allegedly defamatory statements made by El Gendy following Youssef’s claims of unpaid wages. The dispute has escalated to a formal complaint filed with the Public Prosecutor and is now under investigation.
Wage Dispute Sparks Legal Challenge
The conflict originated from a televised interview with journalist Amr El-Laithi, during which Youssef discussed past projects that caused her psychological distress. She specifically cited the series “Asrar,” alleging she had not received full compensation from El Gendy’s production company for her work. This revelation prompted a response from El Gendy that has now landed her in legal trouble.
“Failed Actress” Remark Fuels Complaint
According to reports, El Gendy responded to Youssef’s claims by stating, “Ferial Youssef is a failed actress. She wanted to rise to her stardom.” This statement quickly circulated across various artistic and news platforms, prompting Youssef to seek legal recourse.
Evidence Presented to Prosecution
Counselor Sherif Hafez, representing Youssef, submitted a formal complaint to the Public Prosecutor, arguing that El Gendy’s statements were both offensive and damaging to his client’s reputation, both financially and morally. Hafez presented the prosecution with documentation including recordings of the original television interviews and additional audio and video evidence confirming El Gendy made the disputed remarks. He asserted the statements constituted slander and defamation.
Investigation Underway in Fifth Settlement
The Public Prosecutor has referred the complaint to the Fifth Settlement Prosecution Office, where it has been registered as case No. 82 of 2025, categorized as an economic misdemeanor. Investigations are being overseen by Prosecutor Mahmoud Fawzi. Youssef, accompanied by her legal counsel, has already provided a statement detailing the material and moral damage she alleges to have suffered as a result of El Gendy’s comments.
Legal Basis for the Accusation
Hafez is seeking punishment for El Gendy under Articles 3/171, 1/302, and 306 of the Penal Code, as well as Article 26 of Law No. 175 of 2018 concerning information technology crimes. He submitted a compact flash drive containing all supporting evidence. A report from the General Administration of Information Technology corroborated Youssef’s claims, confirming the authenticity of the attributed statements.
The case remains ongoing as the Fifth Settlement Prosecution Office continues its investigation into the allegations of defamation and the potential legal ramifications for Nadia El Gendy.
