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Renowned Egyptian Activist Reportedly Beaten in the Streets While Police & Army Soldiers Watched

Nawara Negm Beaten by Egyptians While Army & Police Allegedly Watched

In this Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 photo, Nawara Negm reacts during an anti-military protest in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo)

CAIRO (AP) — Assailants attacked a prominent Egyptian activist as she left work at Cairo’s Nileside state television headquarters late on Wednesday, in the latest incident of violence against the protest movement that toppled Hosni Mubarak’s regime to be captured on video.

A clip posted on social networks showed a small crowd punching and kicking Nawara Negm, and hurling abuse at her. Her assailants could be heard saying she wanted to drive a wedge between the ruling military and the people. Others called her an “agent,” presumably of a foreign power.

Negm told a TV interviewer late on Wednesday night that the beating left her with a swollen eye, but that she was otherwise unhurt. She said the beating took place while scores of policemen and army soldiers assigned to the protection of the TV building stood by and watched.

“I am not the type that runs away. I stood my ground,” she told the interviewer on the privately owned ONTV station.

Negm is the daughter of Ahmed Fouad Negm, Egypt’s best known satirical poet and a longtime critic of Mubarak. She was a key figure in the 18-day uprising that forced Mubarak to step down last February. Also a newspaper columnist and blogger, she has been sharply critical of the generals who took over from the ousted president.

Negm was questioned by prosecutors this week over her alleged role in deadly clashes last month between troops and protesters in Cairo.

The ruling generals have repeatedly accused some of the activists behind Mubarak’s ouster of illegally receiving foreign funds, and the state media has portrayed them as reckless troublemakers.

Nawara Negm Beaten by Egyptians While Army & Police Allegedly Watched

Photo Credit: Ahram Online

The country’s military ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, delivered a thinly veiled warning to anti-military activists planning a wave of protests to mark the Jan. 25 anniversary of the start of the uprising.

In comments published on Wednesday, he said Egypt was facing “grave dangers” but assured the nation that the armed forces would protect it. Tantawi was Mubarak’s defense minister for 20 years.

The activists charge that the generals have botched the transition to civilian rule, allowed the killing by troops of at least 80 protesters since October, human rights violations and hauling some 12,000 civilians before military tribunals for trial since February.

Nawara Negm Beaten by Egyptians While Army & Police Allegedly Watched

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

The military‘s longtime image as the nation’s most powerful institution and its protector has been dealt a serious blow when activists posted on social networks video of troops using brutal force against protesters, including a woman whom they stripped half naked and kicked and stomped on her while she lay on the ground. Other clips showed troops urinating on protesters from the roof of the parliament building.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter who met with Egyptian leaders in Cairo this month wrote in a report posted on the website of his Atlanta-based NGO that Tantawi had told him during a meeting that the videos were “all falsified” and that soldiers beating the half naked woman were “actually helping the woman re-clothe herself.”

Activists are touring cities across the nation to show the public the videos of the troops’ brutality. The campaign is called “Liars,” a reference to the military’s repeated denials of responsibility for the killing of protesters.

Comments (17)

  • John Kettlewell
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 5:12pm

    THIS IS DEMOCRACY!!

    SI SE PUEDE!!

    remember all the talk about how Obama’s speech laid the groundwork for this? That’s been erased from the media now.

    that’s why universal health care is needed, cause the state will beat you into submission

    Report Post »  
  • boiz
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:04pm

    The religion of peace! LOL

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:47am

    Jimmy Carter – the Useful fool.
    Don’t he have nuts to worry about.

    Report Post »  
  • DefectiveByDesign
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 5:03am

    Enough of the Muslim (the new Jew) bashing, you racist NAZI retards. Are you really going to believe Jimmy Carter, of all people, over this freedom activist?

    “actually helping the woman re-clothe herself.” Yeah, Right. I’m sure they were. If this wasn’t a Military Coup, then where’s the civilian government? Use your brains, people.

    Report Post » DefectiveByDesign  
  • TheGothicConservative
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:11am

    It took multiple people to give her a swollen eye? I‘ve gotten worse injury’s from not paying attention while walking!

    Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 1:20am

    Muslim Brotherhood at work in their attempt to take over the courntry.

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • Buck Shane
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:04am

      I don’t know why they beat people.
      All they have to do is send them to Philadelphia.

      Report Post » Buck Shane  
  • JohnofOregon
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 1:10am

    you know that cbs reporter lara logan that was raped by one of those wonderful peace loving arab spring crowds and thier total love and respect of women, she never got promoted. I imagine even though the event was filmed the NYU boys representing CAIR forced cbs executives to end her career since she obviously was the offender.

    Report Post »  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 1:01am

    This is what you get when your muslum.

    Report Post » schroeder123  
  • JohnofOregon
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:59am

    now just wait a minute, the administration helped over through mubarak for the “arab spring” peace and love and flowers would restore the brotherhood so all of allahs children would have the land of milk and honey. Obama’s iranian advisor jarret told us this is the peace and love that egyptians are entitled to has arrived.
    it is obvious that this disident does not understand that peace is war, that pain is life and that all should struggle. How much muslim brotherhood money has been directed to obama through wall street?

    http://www.opensecrets.org/

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:42am

    Enjoy a Mubarak-less Egypt…

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • jzs
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:49am

      She was inspired by the OWS movement. Go Girl!

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 7:51am

      Old Barry couldn’t wait to get rid of him either. Yet when it comes to Assad, he’s strangely silent.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:07am

    So im guessin we are in the Arab Winter now ? Cuz that warm fuzzy spring didnt last too long….

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:03am

    Barry’s Crapper said the ****** Brothers are a largely secular organization.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • ChooseSides
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:41pm

    Accountability for your actions is the basis for mental stability.

    Report Post » ChooseSides  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:51pm

      Mentally unstable people are unable to take responsibility for their actions…just ask Obama.

      Report Post »  

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