Egypt: Fadel Abdullah Hussein murdered at Dier Mawas police station
14 Apr 2010
On 31 March 2010 Deir Mawas investigative police officers, under the supervision of Mohamed Sobhi, illegally arrested a group of individuals from a coffeeshop in Samhan village, Deir Mawas in Al-Minia governorate. Amongst those arrested was Fadel Abdullah Hussein, the coffeshop owner who would later be killed in police custody following a fatal blow to the chest allegedly delivered by Mohamed Sobhi.
Following their arrest, the group was taken to Deir Mawas police station where officers accused them on fabricated charges as they were kept kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs. The victims dared not move for fear of being pummeled.
When Fadel Abdullah Hussein challenged the charges against him, as he and the alleged assailants were by no means in violation of the law or even wanted by police, and according to claims, the officer suddenly struck a surprise blow into Fadel's chest. His heart immediately felt the impact and collapsed ... As he lay ground, forlorn and bleeding from his nose and mouth, he was no more.
The officer responsible for his death told the detainees, "I will not track you down, but if one of you says anything, I'll arrest you and you'll never see the light of day." The police officers finally took Fadel Abdullah Hussein to Deir Mawas hospital, where doctors confirmed his death and immediately contacted his family. Family members quickly arrived, inspected the body and began compiling a report condemning Mohamed Sobhi and his fellow officers. Some of Fadel Hussein's fellow arrestees were able to testify and later told the Prosector that he had been subject to beatings and that he was instantly killed by the suspected officer Sobhi's fatal blow. The Prosecutor ordered an autopsy to discover the cause of death; however the forensics report has yet to be published.
The Pattern of Torture Continues
This most recent tragedy is not the first death allegedly involving officer Mohamed Sobhi, who has taken on an infamous persona. On 11 November 2009, Mohsen Barakat died under similar circumstances after Sobhi apparently delivered a fatal blow between his legs. Despite various complaints having been sent to the Interior Ministry condemning officer Sobhi's misconduct, no formal legal action has been taken against him, and he continues to torture victims with impunity.
Egyptian law criminalizes the police officers who perform torture articles 126, 129 and 282 of the Egyptian Constitution. Accordingly: It is a felony to torture an accused in order to extract confessions; the use of cruelty by public officials is a misdemeanor; physical torture is a punishable felony, specifically when persons are arrested without justification and arrests are accompanied by threats or torture.
Following their arrest, the group was taken to Deir Mawas police station where officers accused them on fabricated charges as they were kept kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs. The victims dared not move for fear of being pummeled.
When Fadel Abdullah Hussein challenged the charges against him, as he and the alleged assailants were by no means in violation of the law or even wanted by police, and according to claims, the officer suddenly struck a surprise blow into Fadel's chest. His heart immediately felt the impact and collapsed ... As he lay ground, forlorn and bleeding from his nose and mouth, he was no more.
The officer responsible for his death told the detainees, "I will not track you down, but if one of you says anything, I'll arrest you and you'll never see the light of day." The police officers finally took Fadel Abdullah Hussein to Deir Mawas hospital, where doctors confirmed his death and immediately contacted his family. Family members quickly arrived, inspected the body and began compiling a report condemning Mohamed Sobhi and his fellow officers. Some of Fadel Hussein's fellow arrestees were able to testify and later told the Prosector that he had been subject to beatings and that he was instantly killed by the suspected officer Sobhi's fatal blow. The Prosecutor ordered an autopsy to discover the cause of death; however the forensics report has yet to be published.
The Pattern of Torture Continues
This most recent tragedy is not the first death allegedly involving officer Mohamed Sobhi, who has taken on an infamous persona. On 11 November 2009, Mohsen Barakat died under similar circumstances after Sobhi apparently delivered a fatal blow between his legs. Despite various complaints having been sent to the Interior Ministry condemning officer Sobhi's misconduct, no formal legal action has been taken against him, and he continues to torture victims with impunity.
Egyptian law criminalizes the police officers who perform torture articles 126, 129 and 282 of the Egyptian Constitution. Accordingly: It is a felony to torture an accused in order to extract confessions; the use of cruelty by public officials is a misdemeanor; physical torture is a punishable felony, specifically when persons are arrested without justification and arrests are accompanied by threats or torture.
Alkarama demands that the Egyptian authorities investigate cases of murder involving torture during police custody following arrests. The Egyptian government holds the responsibility to protect the lives citizens in police custody, and prevent police brutality; while punishing those responsible for torture, rather than hiding them. Alkarama intends to submit Fadel Abdullah Hussein's case to the UN special procedures.