NEW YORK – Prosecutors have filed charges of assault against a protester who said he was dragged out of Manhattan Street by Egyptian government officials, beaten and whipped with a metal chain and then arrested by New York City police.
Yasin El SammakHis 22-year-old brother, facing attacks and blackmail charges after a dispute, took place last month in a pro-Palestine protest outside Egypt’s diplomatic building.
These accusations El Sammak It was rejected Wednesday by prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, who said the evidence did not support the police department’s argument that he was the invader in the incident. His brother’s charges have been sealed in family court.
“I’m very relieved that the truth has come out and my accusations have been discarded.” El Sammak Tell the Associated Press. “Similarly, I’m very disappointed with the time spent on the New York Police Department’s betrayal and the clarity of everyone (my innocence).
Video recorder El Sammak Another activist at the scene seemed to support the brothers’ claims that they were victims of the attack, not the perpetrator.
Video shows Egyptian government officials faced the couple angrily on the sidewalk and dragged them behind the building’s glass door. After entering the room, officials can be seen beating the brothers and repeatedly hitting them with the metal chain.
El Sammak Said they also used his Keffiyeh – the Palestinian head scarf – to suffocate him “until I was suffocated”, leaving a deep bruise on his neck.
The police arrived quickly to break down the confrontation. But when the brothers tried to explain what was going on, the NYPD officer “ignored us” El Sammak Instead, heeded Egyptian officials’ request for arrest.
The New York Police Department later said it was El Sammak He used a chain on one of the officials, causing him “swelling and tremendous pain in his hands.” El Sammak The allegation is strongly denied.
The department also initially refused to accept police reports from lawyer El Sammak, deeming the allegations outside its jurisdiction. They later accepted the report, but no other arrests were made.
Egypt was emailed by email about the permanent UN mission that took place in the series, and there was no refund.
Under international law, diplomatic officials are granted immunity to certain criminal prosecutions. A spokesman for the police department did not disclose whether the protections were included in the decision not to accuse Egyptian officials.
The allegations were dismissed a few days before the UN General Assembly began in New York.
This is after a series of protests at Egyptian diplomatic buildings in Europe and elsewhere, requiring the country to allow humanitarian aid through the border crossing point with the southern Gaza city of Rafa. Egyptian officials denied blocking aid and severely condemned the demonstrations.
