Defense Lawyers Criticize Egypt Gay Raid Trial

[uhnope]

Source: ABC

Defense lawyers for 26 men arrested in a televised raid by police looking for gays at an Egyptian bathhouse criticized the prosecution's case Sunday, saying it is based on a faulty investigation and only one police officer's testimony.

The raid was part of an ongoing crackdown on gays in Egypt, described by activists as the worst in more than a decade. While consensual gay and lesbian relationships are not specifically outlawed in Egypt, there is a societal taboo against same-sex couples.

A private TV station's crew filmed the men's arrest, saying it tipped off police to a bathhouse "hosting men sex orgies." The televised raid outraged activists.

One lawyer representing 14 of the men, Islam Khalifa, told the court Sunday that the defendants suffered "psychological duress" from the publicized arrests, which defamed and endangered both them and their families in conservative Egypt. He said having the television crew there violated the men's right to privacy and Egypt's constitution. Of the 26 men, 21 have undergone medical examinations to see if they had had anal sex. Three of men had trauma that required further examination, defense lawyer Tarek al-Awadi said.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/defense-lawyers-criticize-egypt-bathhouse-trial-27989407

[Scootaloo]

1. And to think, there are DU'ers who happily cheer and support this junta.

[uhnope]

2. really? I haven't seen that

horrible. There's no sugarcoating the disaster in Egypt. Who would? Someone defending the Arab Spring in Egypt at all costs?

[Scootaloo]

3. Kind of the opposite

Fateh al-Sissi's coup is a counter-revolutionary action against the Arab Spring. But yes, there are at least a few DU'ers who think it's wonderful.

[Purveyor]

4. As did our government by its silence and refusing to call the military takeover a coup d'etat. eom.

[Scootaloo]

5. True, that.

But then the United States government has ALWAYS favored pet dictators over democratic partners.

I just hold DU posters to a higher standard than I expect of the state Department

[Purveyor]

6. Good luck with 'that' (higher standards).

[Trillo]

7. I believe this "no law against" is part of a entrapment scheme

The "psychological duress" is extremely important factor, this is what destroys a life from within. With it, it doesn't matter whether they're found guilty or innocent. The only saving grace is that these were presumably adults, and not kids, though ages are not mentioned, only that they were "men," however that may be defined. They may destroy themselves now, their once happy faces turned into bitter, lifetime scowls.

They have a long road ahead of them, with contempt they'll be receiving from others, some of whom they used to call, "friends."

It's all so inhumane.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Homophobia in action there.

Heterosexism here.

The "crackdown" on GLBT (usually G's and T's) are a big part of repressive societies. In some places, there are marked improvements (Lebanon), in others, we see things slipping back (Russia). It is a civil rights movement that few care about, and are willing to see it take "one step forward, two steps back."