CAIRO: The trial of a police colonel accused of physical assault which led to permanent disability to his victim begins on Sunday at the Alexandria criminal court. Colonel Akram Ahmed Suleiman has been charged with misuse of force against, and causing permanent bodily harm to Ragai Sultan, who he allegedly attacked with a truncheon last year. Sultan, who is in his late 40s and suffers from learning disabilities, was arrested while walking on Alexandria's Corniche. Sultan spent three days in intensive care after suffering a broken rib and shoulder, a fracture in the neck and bleeding in the brain which necessitated surgery. His family allege that Suleiman caused Sultan's injuries while the latter was in police custody. The police colonel meanwhile alleges that Sultan's injuries were caused when he "fell while running away from the police. However, according to a statement issued by the Nadeem Center for the Rehabilitation of Violence on Monday, the colonel had offered to pay the costs of Sultan s treatment. Misuse of force carries a maximum prison sentence of one year, while individuals convicted of the causing permanent bodily harm face imprisonment of between three and five years. The maximum penalty increases to 10 years when the crime is premeditated. During investigations carried out by the Sidi Gaber public prosecution office individuals arrested at the same time as Sultan testified that Suleiman physically attacked Sultan. The assault led to both physical and mental impairment. While rights groups report that incidents of police brutality are common, perpetrators of these assaults rarely face legal action.
