An Egyptian court on Sunday acquitted Ahmed Adel, the doctor accused of conducting "virginity tests" on seven women who were arrested by the military last March.
Samira Ibrahim, who filed the lawsuit, was detained for four days in a military prison along with others after being accused of rioting, throwing Molotov cocktails and assaulting security forces. She says she was tortured and forced to undergo a virginity test.
Ibrahim was given a suspended sentence of one year in prison.
The court said witnesses’ testimonies were contradictory, especially that of Rasha Abdel Rahman, who came upon Ibrahim’s request.
Abdel Rahman, who was kept in the same prison, said the prison guard’s name was Abeer, although other witnesses said it was Azza.
The judge said during the session that he judges according to what is proven in documents, free of any outside pressure.
The case has raised wide controversy and increased criticism against the military rule that began in February 2011.
Dozens of activists gathered at the court Sunday to express solidarity with Ibrahim after the ruling was issued, saying it was expected. They raised banners before the session started and said they doubt the integrity of the trial in light of laws made by the former regime.
In May 2011, Major General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told Amnesty International that at least 17 women had been forced to undergo the tests to "protect" the army against possible allegations of rape.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
