Human Rights Watch (HRW) has indicated that an Egyptian policeman is responsible for the killing of activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh. She was participating in a demonstration organized by the Popular Socialist Alliance Party on Talaat Harb Street hours before the fourth anniversary of the 25 January revolution.
According to HRW's evidence, which includes videos, photos and testimonies, a man wearing a police uniform was seen directing another one to shoot a group of protesters among whom was Sabbagh. She immediately fell to the ground.
“The world is watching to see whether this case breaks the pattern of impunity for rights abuses that has marred Egyptian justice since the 2011 uprising,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's Middle East and North Africa director.
HRW's statement said that security forces on Talaat Harb Square used excessive force against the small peaceful march, firing teargas and birdshot at the protesters.
“The claim that these protesters attacked police or that the images of al-Sabbagh’s death are fabricated simply defies all available evidence and smacks of an attempted cover up,” Whitson said. “After so many protesters have died exercising their basic rights, the prosecutor general needs to step up and ensure that those responsible for this death are held to account.”
While speaking to HRW, the director of the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance, Azza Soliman, said she was at a café across the street with her son when she saw the protesters passing. She went out to greet some friends among the protesters before the dispersal began. WIthin five minutes, sirens were heard and security force personnel were seen. Soon after, they started firing both teargas and birdshot at the protesters.
Accompanied by her lawyer, Soliman went to give her testimony at the prosecutor’s office. She was accused of taking part in the march, however, and was told she had broken protest law, resisted authorities and was being threatened with arrest. Similar charges were filed against four other witnesses.
Osama Hammam, a photographer who was covering the protest, told HRW that, “the demonstration was simply 30 people carrying some roses; half of them were old guys, and the street was empty.”
“And the police were on the sidewalk on the opposite side,” he added.
Another photographer, who was taking pictures of the dispersal from a short distance away, told HRW that a man wearing a black mask standing to his left, fired the shot against Sabbagh. According to him, protesters were chanting slogans from the 2011 revolution, not against the authorities. He also added that security forces fired teargas and birdshot without warning two minutes after the marchers’ arrival at Talaat Harb Square.
Sayyed Abul Ela, a fellow member of Sabbagh’s party, said that a number of witnesses, and others who were attempting to assist Sabbagh, were arrested after the dispersal and held for two days. They were later questioned as if they were suspects, he added.
