Mike Coupe, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, not guilty, say Egyptian court

by Sainsbury's Superstores | Business

Mike Coupe: CEO of Sainsbury's has been acquitted
 by Egyptian Court.

We are aware of media coverage today outlining a legal case in Egypt brought against our Chief Executive Mike Coupe. This relates to a historic commercial dispute in which Mike Coupe had no involvement and we strongly refute all the allegations.

Mike Coupe, Chief Executive Officer of Sainsbury’s, has today (Thursday 11th June) been acquitted by an Egyptian court of all charges brought against him as a representative of the company.

This relates to a legal dispute brought against Sainsbury’s and Mr Coupe by one individual, Amr el-Nasharty, with whom Sainsbury’s entered into a joint venture in 1999.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We are pleased that justice has prevailed today, with the court ruling in favour of Mike, and ultimately Sainsbury’s.

“We have always strongly refuted the legal case in Egypt brought against our Chief Executive Mike Coupe, which relates to a historic commercial dispute which has absolutely nothing to do with Mr Coupe.

“Mike was not employed by Sainsbury's at the time of the original dispute in 2001 and has never met the complainant Mr el-Nasharty.”

Mr el-Nasharty has brought several claims against the supermarket and its employees in the intervening years, all of which have consistently been rejected as spurious and without basis in fact.

Mr Coupe was not in court to hear the verdict, which was relayed by Sainsbury’s legal representatives in Egypt.