Egypt: Hamas official not welcome at brother’s trial

CAIRO: Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has been banned from traveling to Egypt in order to give testimony in the trial of his brother Yousif, who is in Egyptian custody. Abu Zuhri said his banning from entering Egypt to speak will “conceal the truth.”

Hamas officials have accused the government of torturing Abu Zuhri’s brother to death in an Egyptian prison.

Abu Zuhri told reporters in Gaza City that “the family’s attorney told us that the Egyptian prosecution agreed to listen to my testimony during my brother Yousif’s hearing, who was detained by Egyptian security.

“I went to get permission to travel, but was surprised to find that the Egyptian authorities would not allow me to enter Egypt, despite the opening of the Rafah crossing. They did not give any explanation.”

Abu Zuhri’s family condemned Egypt’s decision, and said depriving him of testifying in court “will only conceal the truth.”

Yousif had been held in Egyptian custody for five months before his death.