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Egyptian Appeals Court Orders New Trial for Officer Convicted of Manslaughter Egyptian Appeals Court Orders New Trial for Officer Convicted of Manslaughter
(10 days later)
CAIRO — An appeals court on Sunday overturned the manslaughter conviction of a police officer in the death of a poet and activist whose shooting during a protest march became a national scandal. CAIRO — An appeals court on Sunday overturned the manslaughter conviction of a police officer in the death of a poet and activist whose shooting during a protest march became a national scandal.
The officer’s conviction and 15-year prison sentence had been hailed by human rights groups as a rare instance of public accountability in a case of excessive violence.The officer’s conviction and 15-year prison sentence had been hailed by human rights groups as a rare instance of public accountability in a case of excessive violence.
In overturning that verdict, the court ordered a new trial for the officer, Yaseen Mohamed Hatem.In overturning that verdict, the court ordered a new trial for the officer, Yaseen Mohamed Hatem.
The ruling came amid an international outcry over allegations that Egyptian security forces also played a role in the disappearance and death of Giulio Regeni, an Italian graduate student whose body, showing signs of torture, was found by the side of a desert highway this month.The ruling came amid an international outcry over allegations that Egyptian security forces also played a role in the disappearance and death of Giulio Regeni, an Italian graduate student whose body, showing signs of torture, was found by the side of a desert highway this month.
Mr. Regeni’s disappearance and the shooting of the poet Shaimaa el-Sabbagh both took place around anniversaries of the pro-democracy rallies that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.Mr. Regeni’s disappearance and the shooting of the poet Shaimaa el-Sabbagh both took place around anniversaries of the pro-democracy rallies that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.
On Jan. 24, 2015, Ms. Sabbagh, 31, had taken part in a small march to lay a wreath in Tahrir Square as a memorial for those killed in the 2011 protests there. The police used live ammunition to disperse the marchers, and photographers captured graphic images of Ms. Sabbagh with blood running down her face as she died in the arms of a friend.On Jan. 24, 2015, Ms. Sabbagh, 31, had taken part in a small march to lay a wreath in Tahrir Square as a memorial for those killed in the 2011 protests there. The police used live ammunition to disperse the marchers, and photographers captured graphic images of Ms. Sabbagh with blood running down her face as she died in the arms of a friend.
The deaths of civilians in confrontations with the police had become fairly common, and officials at first denied that officers had anything to do with the death of Ms. Sabbagh, who had been hit with shotgun pellets. But the photographs provoked an international outcry, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said he saw her as his own daughter and urged the police to identify a culprit.The deaths of civilians in confrontations with the police had become fairly common, and officials at first denied that officers had anything to do with the death of Ms. Sabbagh, who had been hit with shotgun pellets. But the photographs provoked an international outcry, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said he saw her as his own daughter and urged the police to identify a culprit.
Mr. Hatem, 25, was convicted of “battery leading to death” — a form of manslaughter — for firing on Ms. Sabbagh. Officer Hatem, 25, was convicted of “battery leading to death” — a form of manslaughter — for firing on Ms. Sabbagh.
Mr. Hatem was represented in his appeal by Farid el-Deeb, a prominent lawyer who has also represented Mr. Mubarak in numerous cases. It is unclear who paid Mr. Deeb’s hefty fees. Mr. Deeb argued in court that Mr. Hatem had fired at Ms. Sabbagh out of “recklessness,” not ill intent. Officer Hatem was represented in his appeal by Farid el-Deeb, a prominent lawyer who has also represented Mr. Mubarak in numerous cases. It is unclear who paid Mr. Deeb’s hefty fees. Mr. Deeb argued in court that Officer Hatem had fired at Ms. Sabbagh out of “recklessness,” not ill intent.
After the Egyptian military removed President Mohamed Morsi from office in 2013, the government passed a law that effectively outlawed demonstrations. The unauthorized protest in January 2015 caused confusion among the police ranks, Mr. Deeb contended.After the Egyptian military removed President Mohamed Morsi from office in 2013, the government passed a law that effectively outlawed demonstrations. The unauthorized protest in January 2015 caused confusion among the police ranks, Mr. Deeb contended.
As for Mr. Regeni’s killing, the interior minister has denied any police involvement.As for Mr. Regeni’s killing, the interior minister has denied any police involvement.
But a civilian and three security officials have said that Mr. Regeni was taken into custody on Jan. 25, 10 days before his body was discovered. All four spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.But a civilian and three security officials have said that Mr. Regeni was taken into custody on Jan. 25, 10 days before his body was discovered. All four spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.