Egypt

Prosecution official: Killer of slain activist Sabbagh identified

Investigation has revealed the identity of the killer of slain activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh and details of the perpetrators' arrest will be revealed within days, a top prosecution official said on Tuesday.

Samir Hassan, the head of the Qasr al-Nil prosecution told Aswat Masriya that the perpetrator was identified after inspecting video footage of the protest in which Sabbagh was killed, adding that security apparatuses were notified.

Hassan said video footage shows the perpetrator while firing birdshot at Sabbagh but refrained from providing further details on the perpetrator.

Sabbagh, who was a member of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, was killed while protesting in Downtown Cairo on January 24, one day ahead of the fourth anniversary of the January 2011 uprising.  

Within hours of her death, Egypt's top prosecutor ordered an investigation.    

The party said she was killed after sustaining birdshot and has accused the Interior Ministry of her killing.

A day after her death, Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said "we are committed to the results of the investigation," adding that if it is proven that a policeman is responsible for Sabbagh's death, "I will hand him in myself."

crowded funeral was held for her the day after her death in the coastal city of Alexandria, where she hails from.  Sabbagh's death was widely condemned by several political parties including al-Dostour Party and the Egyptian Social Democratic Party.

International watchdog Human Rights Watch commented on her death, saying that there is a need in Egypt "for an independent investigation into the authorities’ excessive use of force."  

This content is from :Aswat Masriya

 
 

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