Egyptian citizen Essam Mahmoud Eid, 55 years-old, has died unexpectedly whilst in state custody. His family, who only discovered his death on arriving to visit him, suspect foul play.
The family of Eid, an employee of the Public Transport Authority, are reported to be in El Matareya Hospital, in the Dakahlia Governorate, where his body is still being held.
The public prosecutor’s office has inspected the body.
Eid’s family have accused Matareya police of torturing him to death.
Eid was imprisoned last Tuesday, 24 May after being sentenced to 6 months in prison following an altercation that took place five years ago.
Eid’s family arrived at his place of detention to visit him yesterday evening (30 May), only to be told that he had been taken to the hospital and died there.
However, at the hospital, the family was told that Eid had arrived dead earlier that day.
The police department did not inform the family of their relative’s death until their visit that evening.
The family alleges that they found signs on torture, including electrocution, on Eid’s body.
They further allege that hospital staff refused to photograph the body.
The family have petitioned the public prosecutor’s office to investigate the case.
The family is demanding a full medical report and an investigation into Eid’s death.