CAIRO: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said in a statement Sunday he apologizes to lawyers for the assault of a police officer who was captured in photos hitting, with his shoe, a lawyer in the head.
“I apologize to any Egyptian citizen if he was humiliated as I consider myself responsible for anything relevant to Egyptian citizens; also I need to make it clear for police officers or any governmental institutions’ officials that we deal with human beings and we all need to take care of them,” said Sisi.
Photos showing lawyer Emad Fahmy bleeding have circulated online, after a police officer hit him in the head with his shoe during an during an argument at Faraskur police station in Egypt’s Delta governorate of Damietta.
“I say sorry to all the lawyers, and I say to all employees at state institutions we need to be aware of everything that surrounds us,” he said.
On Saturday, the Lawyer Syndicate called of for a nationwide strike to protest the assault while the syndicate head Sameh Ashour announced that above 90 percent of Egypt’s lawyers has participated in the strike.
“Ministry of Interior still goes backward to pre- 25 January 2011 strategy by ignoring protection of the civilians. The assault took place at Faraskur police station is an outrageous crime and villainous aggression,” Ashour said in a press conference Thursday.
“The lawyers will not leave their right,” he added.
In his interview with the German Channel ZDF Friday, Sisi acknowledged the occurrence of some police violations in Egypt.
“I can admit the Egyptian policemen have performed some violations but we need to work together to develop their performance,” he said.