Ex-nuclear chief and Egyptian opposition leader says beatings won’t terrorize reformers

Ex-nuclear chief condemns Egypt security beatings

CAIRO — The former U.N. nuclear chief turned Egyptian reform advocate on Thursday strongly condemned the beating of one of his supporters, allegedly by State Security agents, adding that the tactic would not silence calls for change.

Mohamed ElBaradei said in a statement received by The Associated Press from his group that the beating is a blatant violation of all laws and called for bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Taha Abdel-Tawab, a 36-year old physiotherapist, attempted to organize a rally last week in support of ElBaradei in the oasis province of Fayoum. The gathering was stopped by security and he was detained, interrogated and beaten, according to his lawyer.

“I condemn in the strongest words the barbaric assault this innocent citizen has been subjected to,” ElBaradei said in a statement from South Korea, where he is visiting. “These actions will not under any condition scare, terrorize or silence our people.”

“Such uncivilized methods are a blatant violation of all laws and customs and the perpetrators should be held accountable before local and international courts,” his statement added.

ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate, is supported by disparate coalition of youth activists, opposition politicians and reformists who see him as a potential challenger to President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for the last 29 years.

Last month, ElBaradei formed a group calling for constitutional changes to allow for freer elections.

Lawyer Mustafa Mahmoud said Abdel-Tawab was called in for questioning by State Security on Sunday. The officer interrogated him about his role in organizing the rally and his support for ElBaradei. He was then badly beaten all over his body and kicked in the groin before being locked in a small room for hours, the lawyer added.

Abdel-Tawab was released the next morning and then hospitalized. He then began a hunger strike demanding that his interrogators be brought to justice and was moved to intensive care unit, his lawyer said.

The lawyer filed a report to the prosecutor complaining of torture and unlawful detention.

“This is the beginning of the repression campaign against those supporting ElBaradei,” Mahmoud said. “Taha is the first victim.”

Local media reported Egypt’s prosecutor general ordered a swift investigation into the incident. The Arab Network for Human Rights Information, however, said in a statement Wednesday that the investigation has stalled.

A security official denied Abdel-Tawab was detained or interrogated. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Abdel-Tawab was protesting because he was denied an unpaid leave from the hospital where he works.

Respected worldwide and untouched by the corruption tainting much of Egypt’s current regime, ElBaradei has focused on promoting electoral reforms and constitutional amendments that would allow a credible rival candidate to run in next year’s presidential election.

He said only if a mass reform takes hold, and changes are instituted, would he run for president.

Egyptian officials, including Mubarak, have rebuffed ElBaradei’s campaign, saying no changes to the constitution are necessary. Mubarak urged him to run for presidency under the current conditions.

ElBaradei said he offers his “unlimited” support for Abdel-Tawab, who is “like the majority of Egyptians are calling for political reform, with my backing.”

International and local rights activists allege that police brutality is widespread in Egypt’s police stations.