The prosecution has ordered that the department of forensic medicine complete the autopsy report for Magdy Makeen, a citizen who was allegedly tortured in Al-Amiriya police station, within 48 hours so that investigations can begin, lawyer Ali El-Halawany, who is following the case, told Daily News Egypt.
The autopsy will reveal the cause of death, whether Makeen was tortured or assaulted, and whether there are any narcotic substances in his body.
Makeen was allegedly tortured by about 10 police officers in the station after he was arrested on 13 November while driving a cart with two of his friends. His family found out about his death on 14 November and decided to transfer the body to Al-Zaytoun hospital, where they found signs of assault and torture on his body.
The forensic medicine department took samples from Makeen’s body for examination.
Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar ordered Friday an urgent investigation into the death of Makeen.
The incident went viral on social media platforms and stirred public outrage calling for an end to police brutality and that those who tortured Makeen be held accountable.
Some media reports published an alleged autopsy report stating that the citizen died due to low blood pressure as he had diabetes. The forensics department has refuted this claim.
Since the beginning of 2016, there has been a string of cases of police abuse directed against civilians. Cases of death in detention are handled in secrecy by security forces and the prosecution. The ministry doesn’t release public statements about such violations, and if it does, it denies them.
