Egypt: Mr Magdi Marei beaten to death by police

Alkarama submitted a communication on 7 September 2009 to the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions asking him to intervene with the Egyptian authorities so that they respond to the family's complaint and order an investigation into his death.

Mr Magdi Anwar Abu Nader Al Marei, 43, was a farmer, living and working in the Arimon village, Mahmudiyah, in Al-Beheira. Neighbours had previously complained about the expansion of his house with that of his brother's. On 11 July 2009, several police officers from Fisha and Mahmoudiya police stations visited his family home, armed with batons and guns.

They ordered Mr Marei's brother, Saeed Marei, to destroy the extension. The brother asked if they had a permit or if they were in possession of a court order for demolition. The commanding police officer said they did not need one. Mr Saeed Marei then refused to destroy the extension. The officer in charge then ordered his men to do so. When family members tried to resist, they were threatened and beaten, including women and children.

Once the demolition was complete, police wanted to scatter witnesses to the demolition, but they refused, in turn, they were beaten. They then grabbed Mr Magdi Marei's daughter and dragged her on the ground towards a police vehicle. Her uncle, Saeed Marei, tried to intervene, but was thrown into the same car that drove off at full speed. Mr Magdi Marei ran behind the car in an attempt to stop it, but police officers arrested him and beat him. He was then put into another car that quickly dashed from the scene.

According to the testimonies of those present, the car containing Mr Magdi Marei suddenly stopped and his body was thrown out. He was dead, beaten to death. His daughter was released while his brother was transferred to Fisha police station.

Mr Magdi Marei's autopsy concluded that he died from blows by a solid object. This confirms that his death was due to blows before and after being thrown into the car.

After his release, Mr Saeed Marei complained to the Attorney General of Mahmudiyah. However, the intelligence services officer in charge of the investigation is known for the torture and abuses he has committed. He has so far denied that any incident occurred, even despite the police confirming these facts.

Unfortunately, these cases are not isolated. This practice is widespread and continues with impunity in Egypt.

Egypt ratified the Convention against Torture on 25 June 1986 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on 14 January 1982 and has pledged to respect its principles.

We recall that Egypt will be considered under the UPR of the Human Rights Council in early 2010. Alkarama has presented a report in this regard.