Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz is maintaining that Egyptian actress Zeina's twin children are not his despite a ruling last Thursday by an Egyptian court.
During the hearing, the judge concluded that the 18-month-old boys were proven to be Ezz's children. Now Ezz has responded to the ruling, still insisting that the children are not his, saying "I swear, Zeina's twins aren't mine," according to Al Bawaba.
Ezz plans to appeal the decision.
Throughout the ordeal, which started in January of 2014 when Zeina, born Wessam El Degwi, returned to Egypt from the United States with the newborn babies, Ezzeddine and Zeineddine, Ezz has maintained he is not the father while also refusing DNA tests.
Zeina expressed her relief at the court's decision.
"Thank God, the truth has prevailed. I thank everybody who stood by me," she said following the hearing.
Her lawyer also added, "Today justice has been fulfilled to shut liars up," according to Ahram Online.
According to Zeina and her supporters, Ezz and the actress were married in 2012 with a secret traditional wedding ceremony. Such marriages only require two witnesses in Egypt and do not require official documentation.
Sound sketchy? Could Zeina have just made the whole thing up?
Well, actually Ezz has a history of "secret marriages." A copy of a marriage certificate between Ezz and Egyptian singer Angham from 2011 became public late last year. Ezz acknowledged the marriage, which reportedly lasted only a few months, in a statement.
Earlier this year, Zeina also accused Ezz of threatening her during an interview with TV host Lamees al Hadidi on the CBC talk show "Huna Al Asima." She said that he and his friends had made threatening phone calls, calling the actions "childish."
Publicity stunt by Zeina or a case of severe denial by Ezz? For now the judge has sided with Zeina, allowing the children to receive legal recognition within Egypt. However, as long as Ezz continues to refuse the DNA test, it will be difficult to determine for sure.