Khalid Muhammad Saʿid

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chalid Saʿid graffiti on the Berlin Wall

Chalid Muhammad Saʿid ( Egyptian Arabic خالد محمد سعيد Khaled Mohamed Saeed , DMG Ḫālid Muḥammad Saʿīd ; * January 27, 1982 ; † June 6, 2010 ) was an Egyptian blogger who wasbeaten to deathin Alexandria by the local police on the street and kicked.

The photo of Saʿid's body was posted on the Internet, leading to protests and the creation of a Facebook page as a memorial to Saʿid. Due to the participation and interest of hundreds of thousands, the Egyptian government under Mubarak admitted that secret police were responsible for the death of Saʿid. Because of these events, he became a symbol of the revolution in Egypt in 2011 .

Mistreatment and death on June 6, 2010

Memorial plaque , Reichpietschufer 92, in Berlin-Tiergarten

On June 6, 2010, Khaled Mohammed Said was in an internet café in Cleopatra, a neighborhood in Alexandria. He was at one of the computers when two plainclothes policemen stormed in. As was later found out, they had stayed in the café across the street or were waiting for him. They first asked for identification papers from Khaled, but then they grabbed him, rolled his arms behind his back, hit him with his head on a marble table top, dragged him out of the internet café into the street and into the entrance of a neighboring house. The abuse continued there. According to witness statements, the two policemen grabbed Khaled's hair and then repeatedly hit him with his face against the iron front door and the marble steps in the entrance area of ​​the neighboring house. Although Khaled was passed out, the two police officers continued to kick and beat him. After they let go of him, they phoned their station (Sidi Gaber) and ordered a police vehicle. When the car pulled up, they threw the motionless body into the vehicle, then drove to the nearby Sidi Gaber police station. The police vehicle returned to the internet cafe about ten minutes later. Khaled's lifeless body was pulled out of the car and thrown into the doorway where it had previously been beaten to death. The chest was crushed, skull and teeth smashed, the jaw broken, the face disfigured beyond recognition from the blows and kicks - the recordings of the dead man have since circulated on the Internet.

Reactions

Amnesty International

" The horrific photographs are shocking evidence of the abuses taking place in Egypt which are in stark contrast to the image of the country depicted today by Egyptian officials to members of the UN Human Rights Council .... These pictures are a rare, first- hand glimpse of the routine use of brutal force by the Egyptian security forces, who expect to operate in a climate of impunity, with no questions asked. "

“ These terrible images are shocking evidence of the attacks that are taking place in Egypt. They are in stark contrast to the image conveyed by official Egyptian authorities to the members of the UN Human Rights Council. These photos shed a rare light on the brutal violence carried out every day by Egyptian security forces. Its members assume that they will go out completely unpunished and will not be asked any questions. "

Amnesty International wrote , calling for an independent investigation into the murder.

Amnesty International is addressing the so-called Emergency Law , which governs all public life in Egypt. The declaration of a state of emergency was the result of the attack by fundamentalist members of the Egyptian armed forces on the former Egyptian President Sadat in 1981. It remained in force during the Mubarak government and was only extended for another two years on May 11, 2010. The right of exception overrides constitutional rights. Political activities of any kind, gatherings, demonstrations can be limited or prohibited entirely. The law gives the police and the judiciary almost unlimited power. Anyone can be arrested, ill-treated, tortured and “sentenced” by special courts to any length of imprisonment without giving a reason, without charge. Human rights activists estimate that up to 30,000 citizens are incarcerated in Egyptian prisons without charge.

Response from the Ministry of the Interior and the police

The police leadership in Alexandria denied responsibility for Khaled's death. On June 12, 2010, the Interior Ministry issued an official statement stating:

" The truth of the matter is that two members of the Sidi Gaber police station investigations unit ... saw Said accompanied by one of his friends, and when the two police officers approached them, Said swallowed a small packet. It subsequently became clear that this packet contained drugs. Said was asphyxiated when he swallowed it, leading to his death. "

“ The truth of the matter is that two investigators from the Sidi Gaber Police Station ... saw Said accompanied by one of his friends. As the two police officers approached them, Said swallowed a small package. In retrospect it was found that this package contained drugs. Said was unable to breathe from swallowing, which [then] led to his death. "

The statement also alleged that Khaled Said was a "wanted criminal" convicted in absentia twice for theft and illegal possession and had deserted from military service. Aside from the fact that the allegations made were proven false, none of the crimes allegedly alleged to have justified the ill-treatment and murder of him.

Investigation by the prosecutor and first autopsy

The prosecutor investigating the case did not go to the crime scene and only heard two “witnesses” whom the police had named. These two "witnesses" testified that Khaled swallowed a packet of drugs when the two police officers showed up in the internet café. The (first) autopsy of the victim ordered by the public prosecutor's office showed exactly that: The pathologist came to the conclusion that Khaled had swallowed a packet of drugs and consequently choked on it. He ordered Khaled's funeral. Khaled Mohammed Said's family denied this police portrayal. Rather, it was said that Khaled recorded a film on his cell phone that documented how the two police officers shared the profit of a drug deal. “That was their revenge” - said the victim's brother.

Second autopsy

The lawyers of Khaled Mohammed Said's family, representatives of various human rights organizations, found that the first autopsy report was completely riddled with serious errors. The El-Nadim Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence in Cairo stated:

"... the shattered skull, the dislocated jaw, the broken nose, the bruises, the injuries and the testimonies of dozens of witnesses all told a different story: that Khaled was killed by the hands of the men of the Egyptian ministry of interior , of the Egyptian regime. They basically beat him to death. "

( “... the shattered skull, the dislocated jaw, the broken nose, the bruises, the injuries and the testimony of dozens of witnesses all say something different: namely: that Khaled was killed by people from the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior, people from the regime . you have killed him literally. " )

Human Rights Watch came to an almost identical assessment:

"Photos of Said's battered and deformed face published on the internet show a fractured skull, dislocated jaw, broken nose, and numerous other signs of trauma."

( "The shots of Said's bruised and deformed face posted on the Internet show a broken skull, dislocated jaw, broken nose, and numerous other signs of injury." )

(See also the interview with the former chief pathologist Dr. Ayman Fouda)

The attorney general (attorney general) Abdel Meduid Mahmoud then ordered a second autopsy on June 14, 2010. This second autopsy gave an identical account of the cause of death. (For the "independent", "impartial" performance of this autopsy, see also the comments of the former chief pathologist Dr. Ayman Fouda) These "results" were refuted solely by the photos shown on the Internet. The obvious contradictions then prompted the EU ambassadors in Cairo to declare: They expected an "independent, transparent and immediate investigation that would credibly clarify the contradictions that had arisen," the diplomats informed the Egyptian government. And: "We assume that the Egyptian authorities will effectively clarify the allegations of police abuse and bring the perpetrators to justice."

Arrests and charges

It was not until the end of June 2010 that the public prosecutor ordered the provisional arrest and interrogation of the two police officers Mahmoud Salah Mahmound and Awad Ismail Suleiman. She has been charged with “illegal arrest, using physical torture and brutality” ( “unlawful arrest using physical torture and brutality” ). There was no mention of murder or manslaughter in the indictment. In Egypt there is a fine of a maximum of one year imprisonment or 30 euros.

process

On July 27, 2010, a first hearing of witnesses took place before a jury. The trial was then adjourned to September 25, 2010 (for new witness hearings). On September 25, another postponement was requested to October 23, 2010. And so it should go on. On October 23, 2010, it was postponed to November 27, 2010. Then on December 25th. Then on January 22nd, 2011. Then on February 26th, 2011. Then on March 26th, 2011. Most recently, the trial was postponed to May 21st, 2011 - one could also say postponed.

After the new hearing on May 21, the court announced that the verdict would be pronounced on June 30, 2011.

On June 30, 2011, the Alexandria Criminal Court adjourned the trial of the two police officers who allegedly caused the death of Khalid Muhammad Saʿid - this time to September 24, 2011. At the same time, several committees have been formed to review the events and the evidence should examine again. A committee - made up of three professors from the Universities of Cairo, Alexandria and Ain Shams - is to reassess the autopsy reports available to date, which were still prepared by the official forensic authority (of the Mubarak regime, which was still ruling at the time). Another committee - made up of professors from Cairo University / Faculty of Fine Arts - is supposed to verify the authenticity of the photos showing Khaled Saeed's face, which has been disfigured by the abuse. The authenticity of these photos, which were posted on the Internet, continues to be questioned by the defendants.

Chalid Muhammad Saʿid's lawyers and family members welcomed the court's decision. "This was our request from the beginning. We have been troubled by the state-sponsored autopsy, which we all know was manipulated." ("That was what we asked for from the start. We had concerns about the government-ordered autopsy, which we all know was tampered with.") Said Chalid Muhammad Sa Anwid's attorney Rafaat Nawar.

The trial was postponed again on September 24, 2011 - to October 22, 2011. Judge Moussa al-Nahrawy wants to give the lawyers of the plaintiffs and defendants the opportunity to review the opinion of the third forensic committee (see above).

First judgment

On October 26, 2011, the two police officers who beat Khalid Muhammad Saʿid to death were sentenced to seven years in prison by a criminal court in Alexandria. The lawyers of Khalid Muhammad Sa Anwid's family called for the indictment of manslaughter to be stepped up. However, the court had not granted this request and instead pronounced the maximum penalty for manslaughter in office - from the point of view of the Egyptian democracy activists a far too mild judgment. Apart from that, neither the officers who had given the orders to the two police officers nor the original medical examiner were prosecuted. Family attorney Hafez Abu Saada has announced a motion to reopen the case, this time on charges of "murder by torture in office".

Dismissal of the head of the forensic medical investigation authority

Justice Minister Mohamed Abdel Aziz el-Gendy ordered the resignation of the head of the forensic ( forensic ) investigative authority, Dr. el-Sebai Ahmed el-Sebai and appointed Dr. Ihsan Kemeel Georgy as his successor. In a talk show on ONTV, in which El-Sebai took part, cases of corruption were raised in the forensic investigation authority. When asked about the autopsies carried out by this authority on Chalid Muhammad Saʿid (see above), El-Sebai continued to insist that Chalid Muhammad Saʿid suffocated by swallowing a packet of drugs and had never been murdered by police officers. During the TV show, El-Sebai continued to be accused of manipulating autopsies of the victims killed during the anti-Mubarak protests. El-Sebai alleged that these people were killed by bullets that were not used by the Egyptian police. When an understandable protest formed, Prime Minister Sharaf instructed Justice Minister El-Gendy to set up a commission of inquiry to question El-Sebai about the allegations made against him on the ONTV show.

Second judgment

The Court of Cassation had ordered a new trial. When the criminal court in Alexandria ruled again on March 3, 2014, the two police officers received a prison sentence of 10 years each. The police's lawyers announced that they would appeal to the Court of Cassation again.

See also

Web links

Commons : Khaled Mohamed Saeed  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Stop it, the man is dying. Zeit Online , accessed January 29, 2011 .
  2. ↑ Human Rights Watch June 24, 2010: Egypt: Prosecute Police in Beating Death
  3. ↑ Die Zeit July 5, 2010: Violence by security forces - EU argues with Egypt
  4. ↑ Human Rights Watch June 24, 2010: Egypt: Prosecute Police in Beating Death
  5. ↑ Amnesty International USA June 11, 2010: Amnesty International Urges Egypt Government to Investigate Brutal Killing of Young Man ( Memento of February 19, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Die Zeit July 5, 2010: Violence by security forces - EU argues with Egypt
  7. ^ Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung March 5, 2003: Early extension of the Egyptian emergency laws
  8. ↑ Amnesty International-Report: Egypt: 'Shouting Slogans into the Wind' - Human rights concerns ahead of the parliamentary elections. London 2010 (MDE 12/032/2010)
  9. ↑ Henner Fürtig : Constitutional referendum in Egypt: milestone or sham? GIGA Focus Middle East 3/2007
  10. ↑ France24 June 16, 2010: The death of Khaled Said, one police blunder too many?
  11. ↑ Sherifa D. Zuhur: Egypt: Security, Political, and Islamist Challenges. Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College, October 2007 ( Memento from February 12, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  12. ↑ Human Rights Watch June 24, 2010: Egypt: Prosecute Police in Beating Death
  13. ↑ Amnesty International - Public Statement June 15, 2010: Egypt: Protection of witnesses and suspension of police officers needed. (MDE 12/023/2010)
  14. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 13, 2010: Hundreds perform funeral prayer for Alexandrian victim
  15. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 20, 2010: Lawyers: Police forged Alex victim's record
  16. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 30, 2010: Q & A with Ali Qassem, uncle of slain youth Khaled Saeed (part one)
  17. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm July 1, 2010: Q & A with Ali Qassem, uncle of slain youth Khaled Saeed (part two)
  18. ↑ Human Rights Watch June 24, 2010: Egypt: Prosecute Police in Beating Death
  19. ↑ Amnesty International - Public Statement June 15, 2010: Egypt: Protection of witnesses and suspension of police officers needed. (MDE 12/023/2010)
  20. ↑ El Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence / Homepage ( Memento from March 2, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  21. ↑ El Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence June 11, 2010: The Egyptian Ministry of Interior: A criminal without limits - Minister of Interior must be impeached ( Memento of February 2, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  22. ↑ Human Rights Watch June 24, 2010: Egypt: Prosecute Police in Beating Death
  23. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 30, 2010: Interview: Former chief medical examiner on Khaled Saeed autopsy
  24. ↑ Amnesty International - Public Statement June 15, 2010: Egypt: Protection of witnesses and suspension of police officers needed. (MDE 12/023/2010)
  25. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 16, 2010: Alex victim's body to be exhumed for second autopsy
  26. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 16, 2010: Second autopsy ordered for Alexandria police victim
  27. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 30, 2010: Interview: Former chief medical examiner on Khaled Saeed autopsy
  28. ↑ Frankfurter Rundschau-Online July 5, 2010: Slain blogger in Egypt: Police officers face a fine of 30 euros
  29. ↑ Die Zeit July 5, 2010: Violence by security forces - EU argues with Egypt
  30. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm June 30, 2010: 2 Alex (andria) policemen detained in Khaled Saeed case
  31. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm September 25, 2010: Trial of Khaled Saeed's alleged murderers resumes
  32. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm July 27, 2010: Detainees of Khaled Saeed Case (pictures of the two defendants)
  33. ↑ Frankfurter Rundschau-Online July 5, 2010: Slain blogger in Egypt: Police officers face a fine of 30 euros
  34. ↑ zuzeeko.com June 30, 2010: Two Police officers arrested over death of Khaled Mohammed Said
  35. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm July 26, 2010: Court to hear Khaled Saeed case Tuesday
  36. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm July 27, 2010: Trial of police charged in Khaled Saeed case begins
  37. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm September 25, 2010: Trial of Khaled Saeed's alleged murderers resumes
  38. ↑ ahram-online November 27, 2010: Khaled Saeed case continues
  39. ↑ ahram-online December 25, 2011: Court holds fifth hearing in police torture killing
  40. ↑ ahram-online January 22, 2011: Demonstration planned in Egypt as court hears police torture case
  41. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm January 22, 2011: Alexandria's Khaled Saeed police brutality trial postphoned
  42. ↑ ahram-online January 22, 2011: Khaled Saeed cace postphoned again
  43. ↑ ahram-online February 26, 2011: Court case on Khaled Said police killing postponed, triggering protests
  44. ^ Al-Masry Al-Youm March 26, 2011: Court postpones Khaled Saeed trial to May 21
  45. ^ The Daily News Egypt May 22, 2011: Court verdict in Khaled Saeid case slated for June 30
  46. ^ The Daily News Egypt June 30, 2011: Court forms committees to re-examine Khaled Saeid's case
  47. ↑ Al-Masry Al Youm June 30, 2011: Verdict postponed in Khaled Saeed
  48. ↑ Al-Masry Al Youm June 30, 2011: Verdict postponed in Khaled Saeed
  49. ↑ Al-Masry Al Youm June 30, 2011: Verdict postponed in Khaled Saeed
  50. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm September 24, 2011: Khaled Saeed's trial adjourned to October 22
  51. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm September 24, 2011: Khaled Saeed murder trial adjourned for study of latest forensics report
  52. ^ The Daily News Egypt September 25, 2011: Khaled Saied didn't choke on drugs, says forensic report + pictures of the two defendants
  53. ^ Taz October 27, 2011: Justice in Egypt. Khaled Said only half atoned for
  54. ^ The Daily News Egypt October 28, 2011: In memory of Khaled Saeid
  55. ↑ The Egyptian Gazette October 27, 2011: Egypt blogger's killers jailed ( Memento from June 30, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )
  56. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm May 4, 2011: Former Chief Coroner al-Sebaay Ahmed al-Sebaay (photo)
  57. ^ The Daily News Egypt May 4, 2011: El-Sebaei sacked, under investigation ( Memento of December 9, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  58. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm April 30, 2011: Activists protest medical examiner's statements about Khaled Saeed case
  59. ^ The Egyptian Gazette May 4, 2011: Egypt's chief medical examiner sacked ( Memento of January 18, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  60. ↑ Al-Masry Al-Youm May 4, 2011: Prime minister sacks chief coroner, promotes his deputy
  61. ^ The Daily News Egypt May 4, 2011: El-Sebaei sacked, under investigation ( Memento of December 9, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  62. ↑ Archive link ( Memento from March 5, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
personal data
SURNAME Saʿid, Khalid Muhammad
ALTERNATIVE NAMES خالد محمد سعيد (Arabic); Said, Khalid; Saeed, Khaled Mohamed
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Egyptian blogger
DATE OF BIRTH January 27, 1982
DATE OF DEATH June 6, 2010