US calls on Egypt to be transparent in Egypt ‘s police brutality case and upcoming elections

US calls on Egypt to be transparent in Egypt ‘s police brutality case and upcoming elections

Eric Holder US Attorney General voiced hopes that the trial of Khaled Saeed’s killing as a result of police brutality be transparent and that those responsible be held accountable

The 28 year old businessman was beaten to death after he was dragged out of an internet café after refusing to be searched on June 6.

 

After two autopsies ordered by Egypt ‘s state prosecutor a coronary report alleged that the victim died as a result of asphyxiation after swallowing a bag of marijuana when he saw the police officers approaching. However the reports have been denied by his family and human rights organizations.

 

Egypt‘s continued abusive use of emergency law, which has been imposed for over 30 years harvesting many victims especially among political opposition, had been renewed earlier this year amid much opposition in parliament and on the streets.

 

In a related context Holder stressed that the US hoped that the upcoming parliamentary elections slated for October and presidential elections in 2011 would be “free and fair.”

Egypt‘s 82 year old President Hosni Mubarak has been in power since 1981. He has not yet officially announced whether he will run for a fifth six-year term despite wide held beliefs that he may bequeath power to his son 47 year old Gamal. Both Mubaraks however deny the allegations.

During his visit Holder abstained from commenting about the emergence of former IAEA chief Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei onto the political arena and his campaign with the Muslim Brotherhood and opposition calling for political reform and constitutional amendments. He did however emphasize the significance of elections to be held with integrity in a free and open manner.