CAIRO- Two policemen, accused of illegally arresting, maltreating and assaulting an Egyptian blogger in the coastal city and port of Alexandria will go on trial on July 27, in a case that has drawn the attention of governments and rights groups abroad and led to protests at home. The controversial death of Khaled Saeed, 28, on June 6 was blamed on the police, who said he choked after swallowing a packet of drugs. However, witnesses and rights groups say two policemen dragged him out of an Internet cafe and beat him to death. "The Alexandria court headed by Mahmoud Talaat Muftah has set July 27 as the start date of the trial of the two policemen accused in the case of Khaled Saeed," a court statement said. The Public Prosecutor charged the two men, police sergeant Awad Suleiman and policeman Mahmoud Salah, with illegally arresting and physically abusing Saeed, charges that carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Murder charges have not been filed. The death of Saeed, who had posted an internet video purportedly showing two policemen sharing the spoils of a drug bust before he died, has prompted anti-government demonstrations and raised concerns among Egypt's US and European allies. A Facebook memorial page called ‘We are Khaled Saeed' has close to 200,000 members and has called for silent protests across Egypt against police brutality and to commemorate Saeed's death. Thousands of Egyptians dressed in black joined the first two protests last month, and a third is planned today all along the Nile Corniche in Alexandria and in towns and cities throughout Egypt. "We urge all Egyptians to protest the death of Khaled and the lagging reaction of the authorities," Kefya opposition group said in a statement yesterday. Meanwhile, the National Coalition for Change headed by former head of the UN nuclear watchdog, said they would also hold a silent protest today marking 40 days after Saeed's death in London's Oxford Street. "We will have a silent protest followed by a peaceful march against the brutal murder of Khaled Saeed and against the Emergency Law in Egypt," said Salah Abul Fadl, the co-ordinator of the coalition in London. Egyptian emergency laws in place since 1981 restrict certain political activity and gives the Interior Ministry the power to disrupt congregations and detain activists.
