Court postpones trial of policemen accused of beating netizen to death

The trial of Mahmoud Salah Mahmoud and Awad Ismael Soliman, two policemen accused of beating the young netizen Khaled Said to death in June 2010, began yesterday before a court in Alexandria but was postponed until 24 September (when elections will be taking place) to allow a review of the forensic evidence. Many demonstrators staged an angry demonstration outside the courthouse yesterday in support of Said, whose death became a symbol of brutal police repression and impunity during the Mubarak era. Said’s supporters were not allowed to attend the hearing. Judge Moussa Al-Nahrawi announced: “The court has asked a medical panel to compare the two autopsy reports. In the meantime, the defendants will remain in detention.” According to the original autopsy, Said died of a drug overdose. A subsequent one said he was beaten to death. Many demonstrations demanding justice for Said were held on 6 June, the first anniversary of his death. Some of the protesters used a stencil to cover the walls of the interior ministry building with portraits of the netizen as a reminder of the old regime’s repression. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two policemen go on trial for young netizen’s death
28.07.2011 The trial of Mahmoud Salah Amin and Awad Aismail Souleiman, two police officers who allegedly beat a youth to death outside an Internet café, opened yesterday in Alexandria and was then adjourned until 25 September. The policemen, who will remain in detention until the next hearing, are accused of illegal arrest, torture and use of excessive force. Lawyers representing the family of the victim, Mohammed Khaled Said (http://en.rsf.org/egypt-young-activist-s-death-mobilises-19-06-2010,37777.html), asked for the charges to be changed to premeditated murder. Reporters Without Borders is supporting the family of Said, who was arrested and then beaten to death outside an Alexandria Internet café. He is said to be linked to the posting of a video showing police officers sharing the proceeds from a drug deal. “The trial did not start well because the key charge, that of murder, has not been brought against the defendants,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The proceedings will have no credibility unless this happens. The two policemen’s superior should also be on trial. It is time to send a strong signal that Egypt’s police are not above the law.” Said’s death has been widely condemned in Egypt and abroad and many protests have been staged in Egypt. Around 2,000 people took part in a demonstration outside the courthouse yesterday. The police used violence to disperse it. According to human rights groups, one of Said’s friends, Tamer Al-Sayyed Abdelmoneim, was physically attacked on 20 June by unidentified assailants who told him not to get involved in the case. Reporters Without Borders calls on the authorities to protect witnesses and the victim’s family, who fear reprisals if they go to the court where the trial is being held.