A number of victims of torture in police stations staged a strike in front of the Syndicate of Journalists in protest against the abuses they have suffered. They called for those involved to be held accountable. A number of political activists took part in the protest carrying banners and calling for releasing Magdi Hussein, the secretary general of the frozen Labor Party, and the bloggers who have been referred to the court martial.
Muhammad Abdel Qodous, rapporteur of the Syndicate of Journalists' Freedoms Committee, called for the involved police officers to be brought to book, as they were not above the law. He pointed out that the number of victims of torture in police stations in rising. Protestor Nuha el-Saeed said she had come to send a message to those who tortured her that she would never give up her right. Nuha was threatened to be raped and beaten after she accused a police officer of cutting her hair and burning her body with cigarettes. She added that she had to have 28 stitches due to torture. In addition, her three-year-old child was beaten before her eyes. "My children are afraid of me after I lost my hair" she added.
My husband, Mohammed Salim Gomaa, was detained in Shubra Police Station, but I haven't heard of him since last November. We left no stone unturned in looking for him, but in vain. I also sought the help of a number of lawyers, but they have also failed to find him, Gomaa's wife said.
Protestor Mona Mohammed said she went to the police station after her neighbors attacked her and heavily damaged her house – as she put it. Yet, she was stunned to hear a police officer insulting and dismissing her. When she denounced the officer's actions, she was beaten and wounded in her head. She added that she has not been able to return to her home yet.
