Lobna Yakout seeks assistance in locating her son, taken during a visit with his father
Cairo: The ex-wife of a serial killer is making a heartfelt plea for help. Lobna Yakout, 33, is desperate to find her son Zayn, who she says was kidnapped during a visit with his father, Karim Selim.
Yakout was married to Selim for six years before leaving him and taking their son with her. A year later, she claims Zayn was taken during a visit with his dad. Since then, she hasn’t seen him.
Things got worse when Yakout fled to Egypt after Selim threatened her. She recently shared her story on TikTok, hoping to raise awareness. Selim, now 37, is in jail for horrific crimes, including the murder of three women.
His actions shocked the country, and he’s been given the nickname “New Cairo Serial Killer.” Yakout said she couldn’t believe what he did and felt it was all a setup to bring her back to Egypt.
Even after Selim was arrested, Yakout hasn’t been able to get custody of Zayn, who is now 10. She claims he’s with his paternal grandmother, but she can’t find her.
In a viral TikTok video, she explained that Selim told the police she was dead, allowing his mother to take Zayn. Yakout insists she has full custody rights but can’t locate the grandmother.
She described her fear during their marriage, saying Selim would threaten her whenever she tried to see Zayn. “I’m dying to see my son,” she said, recalling her last words to him: “If you’re taken from me, find me.”
Before his arrest, Selim had a TikTok following for teaching American slang, which many now find unsettling. Gender-based violence is a serious issue in Egypt, with millions of women affected each year.
