مركز هشام مبارك للقانون

Now that those responsible have been convicted, the victim's family is willing to receive condolences for his death. Three policemen sentenced to seven years imprisonment and expulsion, and a police guard is sentenced to three years, for the death of Nasr Ahmad Abd Allah Tuesday, 27 November 2007 The criminal court of Mansoura, presided over by Senior Judge Abd el-Hady Khalifa sentenced police officer Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed Moaawad, and policemen Ahmed Abd el-Azeem Aly Aly and Yasser el-Mekawy Islam el-Mekawy to seven years secure imprisonment, for their role in the death of under torture of Nasr Ahmad Abd Allah. The court also ruled that the three be expelled from the police force. Police guard Sherif Saad Sherif Saleh was also convicted, and is to serve three years imprisonment. رقم 12356/2007 ج مركز المنصورة والمقيدة برقم 951/2007 ج ك المنصورة The victim was represented by a number of lawyers: Ibrahim el-Orabi, Ibrahim Abd el-Salam, Ahmad Ghazy (on behalf of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights), Ahmad Qura, Hossam Hadad (on behalf of the Hisham Mubarak Law Center) Shahat Dahlab, Aly Meligy, Mohsen Bahnassy (on behalf of the Legal Aid Group for Human Rights, El-Nadeem Center and The Egyptian Association Against Torture), Mohamed Shelbana, and Mohamed Abd el-Wahab (on behalf of the Lawyers Syndicate). Family members of the convicted policemen tried to beat up the victim's lawyers, and did actually beat up three journalists: Ghada Abd el-Hafez, from Al-Masry El-Yom, Hisham Lotfy from Al-Arabi Al-Nasseri (his right thumb was broken) and Alaa el-Qahwagy from Al-Dostur. The victim's family will be receiving condolences (which they had so far refused to do until his murderers were convicted) on Wednesday 28 November 2007, at 4:00 pm, at his brother's home, in the town of Telbana. The court began trying the case on the 25th of November 2007, and adjourned to the 27th of November 2007 to hear arguments. The arguments were concluded at 7:00 pm, and the convictions were handed out at 8:30 pm. The prosecution accused the policemen arresting the victim on 31 July 2007, without due process, and of torturing him. The policemen had arrested Mr. Nasr Ahmed Abd Allah, and searched his house, claiming to have a warrant, which in fact they did not. The officer in charge beat the victim on the head with wooden instrument, the second and third accused beat the victim's head against the wall several times. All three beat him with their fists, while the fourth accused held him motionless. The beating caused the injuries listed in the autopsy report, and ultimately caused the victim's death. The prosecution also accused the officer in charge of forgery, for filing an official report that he had a warrant when apprehending the victim. In fact the officer in charge had obtained the warrant after the event in an attempt to cover his tracks. This case is not only about torture, it also highlights the way police files are forged by officers, how easy it is for policemen to arrest people without due process and the fact that there is no serious attempt to control or review the actions of these officers by their superiors. It shows the urgent need for society to supervise the way police work is done, so as to put an end to, or at least limit, the crimes committed by uniformed officers. Egyptians Against Torture 27 November 2007