CAIRO/KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti authorities ordered yesterday the release of Hossam Selim, the 28-year-old Egyptian who was allegedly tortured by four Kuwaiti policemen.
Selim has been held in a Kuwaiti prison since July 24.
Hassan Selim, Hossam’s brother, told Daily News Egypt that the Egyptian embassy in Kuwait has been making extensive efforts to release his brother, especially after Saturday s release of Gamal Abdel Shafy, the other Egyptian torture victim who was detained at the same time.
“The Kuwaiti authorities ordered the release of Hossam, but he is still behind bars because of a problem with his Kuwaiti residence permit.but the Egyptian embassy said he will be out within the coming few days, said Hassan.
Ashraf Abdel Shafy, Gamal’s brother, told Daily News Egypt that both he and his brother are planning to return to Egypt within the next 15 days.
“Gamal is severely affected psychologically because of the abuse he suffered in prison, he added.
On July 24, Hossam and Gamal were arrested as they were leaving their rented apartment at El Khetan district at about 4 pm, Hassan previously told Daily News Egypt in a phone interview from Kuwait.
He said that two Kuwaiti policemen asked to see their ID and took them to the immigration investigation bureau without giving any valid reason for the sudden detainment.
When they reached the bureau they were physically and verbally abused by four Kuwaiti policemen. Hassan said the policemen beat them with metal rods and sprayed sulfuric acid on their backs, necks and genital organs after hanging them naked against a wall.
Mahmoud Eleiwa, an Egyptian diplomat in Kuwait, declined to comment on the subject, saying that he was not authorized to speak to the press.
President of the General Union of Arab Lawyers Sameh Ashour told Daily News Egypt that the union has given the head of the Kuwaiti Lawyers’ Syndicate and the secretary general of the union the power of attorney to proceed with the case.
“The lawyers will be pursuing the case and will demand that the Kuwaiti policemen involved in the torture be punished.
“They will also ask for financial compensation.what happened was unacceptable by any measure, said Ashour.
