CAIRO: In a bizarre twist to the verdict on the first sexual harassment case in Egypt, a lawyer claiming to have represented Noha Roushdy in the case has stated that she will now switch sides and take up the appeal of defendant Sherif Gomaa Gibrial. Al-Masry Al-Youm published an article Thursday in which an appeals court lawyer called Naglaa El Emam - identified as claimant Noha Roushdy's lawyer - had decided to instead file an appeal on behalf of Gibrial after coming across more details about Roushdy. This information, according to the article, was that Roushdy was an Israeli citizen, as an Israeli Arab of Palestinian origin. El Emam also claimed that Roushdy had filed and won a civil harassment case against a police officer in France a year and half ago. Additionally, El Emam says that on a TV appearance with Roushdy the latter described Israel as a "respectable country where this kind of sexual harassment would never happen. In a rushed telephone call, Roushdy confirmed to Daily News Egypt that she has been accused by El Emam of having exaggerated the sexual harassment charges, as well as being an Israeli citizen. Emam is "trying to kick me out of the country, Roushdy said. Gibrial was sentenced this month for three years imprisonment and fined LE 5,001 for harassing Roushdy in broad daylight last June. Nehad Aboul Qomsan, head of the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, told Daily News Egypt that El Emam's claims were baseless and bigoted, and they were just media allegations appropriated to cloud the actual case. "This is a racist story, she said, "and she isn't Noha's lawyer, she is just looking for fame. "Any lawyer must act in the best interest of their clients. If she was her lawyer then legally she cannot take up the case for the opposing side. From a legal perspective, Roushdy can sue her for her claims, she added. Aboul Qomsan said, "On a legal recourse, she [El Emam] has no right to appeal the case because that is only the prerogative of the defendant or the prosecutor. She has no right in the case and on a [human] rights principle, these allegations are totally wrong.
