CAIRO: Prisoner and ex-opposition leader Ayman Nour filed a complaint against controversial ex-president of Zamlek club Mortada Mansour, in response to the latter s alleged defamation and death threat in Tora farm prison, where they are both inmates.
Mansour, who was moved from Tora prison to Tora farm prison four months ago, allegedly verbally assaulted Nour in public and threatened him with murder, while holding a wrapped piece of cloth that was believed to conceal a weapon.
Amir Salem, Nour’s lawyer, told Daily News Egypt that Mansour has been intending to offend Nour since he moved to Tora farm prison, but the animosity between them dates back to the time when they were both MPs.
“During the parliamentary sessions, Mansour always used to [offend] Nour . Mansour is not a politician, he uses violent methods to achieve some of his political interests, said Salem.
Salem said authorities might have promised Mansour an early release from prison on Oct.6, which could be the reason behind his attacks on Nour, who represents fierce opposition to the regime.
“Mansour is receiving special treatment in Tora farm prison. He is allowed an unlimited number of visits, he receives special meals everyday and does not even wear the prison uniform. By attacking Nour, he is trying to prove that he is pro-Mubarak, said Salem.
Salem added that it is no surprise that Mansour – who has previously assaulted the president of the state council – would slander Nour.
On the other hand, Mansour Abdel Ghaffar, one of Mortada Mansour’s lawyers, told Daily News Egypt that it is unlikely that Mansour could have threatened Nour with murder, because, as a lawyer, he is aware that a murder threat is a crime in itself.
“I don’t think Mansour could have reached the level of threatening Nour, and the wrapped piece of cloth does not necessarily mean that he was hiding a weapon, said Abdel Ghaffar.
He asserted that Mansour has the full right not to attend the investigation sessions nor take part in any interrogation without presence his lawyer.
Abdel Ghaffar could not confirm any of the alleged events as he was not present at the prison at that time, but said that Nour and Mansour have different political viewpoints.
“While Nour takes a tough oppositional stand against the current regime, Mansour thinks that the opposition should provide alternatives . at the end I can’t blame any of them; each one has a different point of view which he will defend, said Abdel Ghafar.
