Hisham Genena.

 Hisham Genena was a prominent Egyptian anti-corruption activist and former head of the Central Auditing Organization of Egypt. He spent much of his career working to expose corruption and financial mismanagement within the Egyptian government and to hold those responsible accountable. Despite facing significant pushback from the government and others, Genena remained committed to his work, earning him respect and admiration from many in Egypt and beyond.

Early Life and Career

Hisham Genena was born in Egypt in 1956. He earned his Bachelor's degree in law from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1979 and went on to join the Egyptian police force. Genena rose through the ranks of the police force and eventually became the head of the Department of Public Funds Investigations, a position he held from 2005 to 2011.

In 2012, Genena was appointed as the head of the Central Auditing Organization of Egypt, a government agency responsible for auditing the finances of other government institutions. Genena's appointment was seen as a positive development by many in Egypt who hoped he would use his position to crack down on corruption and financial mismanagement within the government.

Anti-Corruption Activism

During his tenure as head of the Central Auditing Organization, Genena quickly made a name for himself as a fierce critic of corruption in the Egyptian government. He conducted several high-profile audits of government institutions and publicly exposed instances of corruption and financial mismanagement.

In 2015, Genena estimated that corruption in Egypt had cost the country more than $60 billion over the preceding four years alone. His assessment was based on audits conducted by his organization and earned him widespread praise from anti-corruption activists in Egypt and beyond.

Despite the risks associated with speaking out against corruption in Egypt, Genena remained committed to his work. He often faced pushback from government officials and others who felt threatened by his efforts to expose corruption. However, Genena's dedication to his work earned him the respect and admiration of many Egyptians who saw him as a champion for transparency and accountability.

Government Pushback

Despite the positive impact of his anti-corruption work, Genena's outspokenness eventually put him at odds with the Egyptian government. In 2016, he was removed from his position as head of the Central Auditing Organization after he was accused of exaggerating the extent of corruption in the country. The Egyptian government claimed that Genena's estimates of corruption were inflated and that he had breached his professional duties.

Genena denied the allegations against him, saying that they were politically motivated and aimed at silencing his anti-corruption efforts. Many of Genena's supporters agreed with his assessment and condemned the government's treatment of him.

Legal Challenges and Attack

After being removed from his position at the Central Auditing Organization, Genena faced a series of legal challenges from the government. In 2018, he was sentenced to five years in prison and fined over $1 million for allegedly spreading false news.

However, Genena was granted a presidential pardon and released from prison later that year. Despite his release, he continued to face significant pushback from the government and others who opposed his anti-corruption work.

In January 2019, Genena was attacked and severely beaten by unknown assailants. The attack left him with serious injuries, including a fractured skull, and he died as a result of his injuries several months later.

Legacy

Hisham Genena's legacy as an anti-corruption activist in Egypt remains a significant one. His efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency in government institutions earned him widespread respect and admiration from many Egyptians.

However, Genena's tragic death underscores the challenges faced by those who speak out against corruption in countries where the government is unwilling to tolerate dissent. Despite the risks associated with his work, Genena remained committed.