The trial in Alexandria of the two secret policemen accused of beating Khalid Saeed to death has resumed with testimonies from witness from the prosecution and the defense.
The Alexandria Criminal Court listened to statements of nine witnesses from both sides for almost six hours before it decided to adjourn the hearing until 27 November.
The most startling event of today’s session was the disqualification of a defense witness for a violation of due process. Sherif Sami Mahmoud was inside the courtroom waiting to give testimony while another defense witness named Alaa al-Din Ali was giving evidence in favor of the defendants.
“The level of lies and fabrication in this case has become evident to the court,” Mahmoud Afifi, one of the victim's lawyers told Al-Masry Al-Youm. “It is clear that defense witnesses are coached and came today to recite what they were taught. They were left in the room to listen to each other’s statements”
By law, if there are multiple witnesses in a trial, they should not be inside the courtroom before they have given their statements. Only those who have already testified are allowed to stay. The court police are in charge of enforcing such regulations.
The chief forensic doctor in charge of writing the report which said that Saeed died of asphyxia after swallowing a roll of narcotics has yet to give evidence. In previous hearings, the victim’s lawyers insisted that al-Sabae Ahmed al-Sabae be summoned and questioned over his controversial report. Al-Sabae who was expected to testify today sent an apology saying he had to travel to India, according to Saeed’s attorneys.
In early June, the Khalid Saeed murder attracted widespread media attention and stirred the outrage of human rights groups both within Egypt and worldwide. The two policemen allegedly beat the 28-year-old man to death in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. According to witnesses, he was dragged out of an internet cafe before having his head repeatedly banged on a solid surface. Saeed’s family have reportedly alleged that he was killed after posting a video on the internet which apparently showed police involved in drug deals.
Eventually, the policemen Mahmoud Salah Mahmoud and Awad Ismail Suleiman were referred to criminal court on charges that included illegal arrest and use of excessive force. Their trial began in July amid close scrutiny from human rights advocacy groups.
Saeed’s supporters took the police by surprise today by not rallying at the doorsteps of court as they have during past sessions. Instead, they held a protest near the Sidi Gaber police station where the two defendants served prior to their arrest this summer.
“We did not go to the court because [the police] usually bring hired thugs and impose a lot of restrictions on us,” Safwan Mohamed, a 30-year-old activist who was among the protestors told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
“In addition, we wanted to convey a message from the scene at the heart of the event. It was Sidi Gaber Police station that was behind the killing of Khaled Saeed,” added Mohamed.
For almost an hour, dozens of young men and women raised banners carrying Saeed’s picture while shouting slogans against the Mubarak regime and human rights abuses. They also sprayed the ground with slogans reading, “Down with Hosni Mubarak”.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
