|
Cairo: An ex-Egyptian policeman, who claims security agencies have blocked his book, has left Cairo for the US amidst reports he fears arrest at home.
Omar Afifi, who served as a police officer for 20 years, last month published his book How to Avoid Police's Harsh Treatment but he said the authorities had ordered the book to be suppressed.
"My book, based on real-life situations and my experience as a police officer, has been confiscated because it provides people with all the legal information they need to know to stop the police from possibly violating their rights," Afifi told Gulf News earlier this week. Afifi, who is now a lawyer, has filed a lawsuit against the Government and the Minister of Interior for allegedly banning his book.
"The minister ordered the book be confiscated because it sheds light on the misconduct of some policemen, who take advantage of people's ignorance of their legal rights," he added.
"Books are not banned without a court ruling," a security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Gulf News. "In addition, Afifi's book does not include any classified information."
Some bookshops in Cairo disclosed they had sold all their copies of the book, but had not asked for new ones. They, however, denied receiving direct orders from the authorities to stop selling the book.
There were reports Afifi had fled to New York. While confirming his departure to the US on Wednesday, his office denied reports he had fled Egypt.
"He left to attend a conference in New York and will be back," said an assistant to Afifi, without elaboration. "His family are in Cairo. Besides, why should he escape although he has sued the Government over the confiscation of his book?"
Afifi said his book is an easy-to-use guide to dealing with the police in various situations.
"It is written in colloquial Arabic and explains different articles of the law in a very simple way in order to ensure everyone understands it."
He added that the book, tackles such topics as the police's right to search private property and carry out arrests.
"Each chapter highlights relevant legal articles, which make the public aware of their rights, thus preventing the police from fooling the citizen on the street or during interrogations," said Afifi.
"The book, moreover, tells the citizen the exact articles of the law, which give him the right to refuse to be searched or arrested by a policeman if such acts infringe the law."
Egyptian security authorities deny that abuses are systematic, saying that wrongdoers among the police are severely punished. Last year, a Cairo court sentenced two policemen to three years each in jail for torturing a driver during questioning.
"My book is by no means aimed at tarnishing the image of the honest and well-behaved policemen," said Afifi. "Its objective is to raise public awareness and protect them from being abused in the name of the law."
|
