ALEXANDRIA - Prosecutors in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria opened an investigation into the death of a 32-year-old Islamist, whose family accused police of torturing him to death over a New Year blast outside a church that killed 23 Copts. "The body of Sayyed Belal has been examined by the forensic doctor whose report on the cause of his death will be ready within a few days," a judicial official said. He added that Belal was detained by State Security Police in Alexandria over suspicion of involvement in the bombing of the Al-Qiddissein (The Two Saints) Church on New Year's Eve. "His family accused police of torturing him to death, while police officials say he was dead due to health problems," the official said. Belal was among 25 other suspected who were detained last Sunday over the church bombing. Some 15 people were released, according to a security official. The family of Belal said in their report that their son had been absent for a week. "When we inquired in the el-Laban Police Station, we were told that he was suspected of being involved in bombing the church. One day later, we were instructed to bury him without a funeral," Ibrahim, Sayyed's brother said. He added that when he and his father had gone to receive his body, they were told that the police had buried him. Sobhi Saleh, an Islamist lawyer and former MP, said the family of Belal knew full well the officer who had summoned up their son. "Once we get a copy of the forensic report, we will declare the name of the torturer," he said. Human rights and Islamist groups protested against the 'murder' of Belal, condemning what they slammed as systematic torture of innocent people by the police. "The confirmed information we have now is that Belal was a Salafi (adhering to strict interpretation of Islam). Is this a reason to death him to death?” Hafez Abou Seada, the head of the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights, said. “His family is under pressure to remain silent on the issue,” Abou Seada added. Three protests were held outside Al-Shohdaa (Martyrs) Mosque, Abu Hanifa Mosque and near Belal's house condemning his alleged murder. Meanwhile, former chief of the UN nuclear watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei asked for those responsible for his death to be brought to justice. "Awaiting investigation: if "Belal" torture is proven, all those responsible must be severely punished. Torture is no domestic matter," said ElBaradei, who returned to Egypt last February to lead a campaign for change. In a video that allegedly shows Belal's body, signs of torture are apparent. The video had been widely circulating throughout social networking websites. According to neighbours' accounts, Belal was bearded, and was very recently married. Sixteen human rights groups said in a report last month Egypt has become a police state, where citizens receive no protection from torture, lashing out at the state for "systematic" use of torture, an allegation always denied by police.
