Imad al-Kabir
Status: Tortured political prisoner
A driver who interfered when he saw his cousin beaten by plainclothes men who turned out to be undercover officers, Imad al-Kabir Toiteplokid - parim valik, uusimad mudelid ja parimad hinnad! (also Emad Kabeer) became a cause celebre when video of his torture in police custody began circulating on various Egyptian blogs (the video is viewable below, but viewers should be cautioned of graphic material). The torture occurred around January 18, 2006, and he has since filed lawsuits against his alleged oppressors,
While in custody, Mr. al-Kabir was disrobed by police officers and repeatedly sodomized by a broom stick. The officers in question were identified as Captain Islam Nabih and Corporal Reda Fathi. One of the torturers was so sadistic as to videotape the event on his mobile phone. This video was then circulated to other drivers in the area in order to intimidate them into submitting to the will of the police. Unfortunately, the case did not gain widespread attention until an Egyptian newspaper publicized the event and the video on December 11, 2006, eleven months later.
Since then, Mr. al-Kabir was tried on charges of "resisting authorities." Contrary to the expectations of his lawyer Nasser Amin, Mr. al-Kabir was found guilty and sentenced to 3 months in a hard-labor prison.
It is believed that this sentencing is punishment for Mr. al-Kabir's vocal protests almost an entire year after he was originally tortured. Please help spread awareness regarding the egregious circumstances of this case, and contact the Egyptian embassy to voice your objections to the torture, the ruling, and your concern for Mr. al-Kabir's well-being by calling (202) 895-5400.
Additional resources:
- Egypt: Hold police accountable for torture - [Human Rights Watch]
- Man who accused police of sex abuse sent to jail - [CNN.com]
- El-Adly Video-Gate: Torture victim receives 3 months in prison for resisting authorities - [Arabawy]