ALEXANDRIA (Egypt)- Two policemen, accused of illegally arresting and maltreating an activist, will appear on Tuesday in this Egyptian coastal city amid local and foreign attention. Earlier this month, Egypt's Chief Prosecutor ordered the two detectives stand trial in connection with the death of blogger Khaled Saeed. The case has drawn the attention of governments and rights groups abroad and led to frequent protests in Egypt. The controversial death of 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 the two policemen dragged him out of an Internet cafe and beat him to death. The Chief Prosecutor charged the two policemen Awad Suleiman and 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 has called for silent protests across Egypt against alleged police brutality and to commemorate Saeed's death. Saeed is commemorated as the martyr of the Egyptian Emergency Law, which has been in office for nearly 30 years.
