(Photo courtesy ofRasd ElBaradei Facebook page )
The Maspero Youth Union (MYU) confirmed on Saturday that a missing Coptic activist was found at Al-Helal Hospital, with clear signs of torture. Amir Ayad, who is also a member of the fact-finding committee investigating the torture and imprisonment of Copts in Libya, went missing Friday night, a member of the union reported.
Yvonne Mosaad, member of MYU, said Ayad had gone missing between 8.30 and 9pm on Friday night and was last seen near the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Moqattam. He was found Saturday morning at Al-Helal Hospital; with signs of flagellation apparent across his body. “There were obvious signs of torture,” Mosaad said. “His body was also covered in bruises, his left arm was broken and there are fears that he may have suffered brain damage.”
At the time of writing Mosaad said Ayad was in the intensive care unit and has not been able to speak to anyone. “His face is so bruised he cannot open his eyes,” she said.
Although it is still unclear who is responsible for Ayad injuries, Mosaad said whipping is not a Central Security Forces trademark. “We do not have the report on his condition so we cannot suspect anyone,” Mosaad added.
Mina Magdi El-Qess, a member of MYU’s Political Bureau, said he was sure the Muslim Brotherhood youth were behind Ayad’s disappearance. According to him, several protesters present at the clashes could place Ayad at the scene before his disappearance.
“Ayad told us he was going to go demonstrate,” Magdi El-Qess said. “After roughly 9pm his phone was turned off and we could not reach him anymore. When we found him we were sure it was the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Ayad, a pharmacist, is a founder of the Christian Brotherhood and member of the Coptic Youth Front.
